GBP/USD Outlook: US Dollar Strengthens on Higher-for-Longer Rate Expectations

Modified: Wednesday, 24 June 2026 20:01 BST - Written by David Woodsmith

STORY LINK GBP/USD Outlook: US Dollar Strengthens on Higher-for-Longer Rate Expectations

The Pound to US Dollar (GBP/USD) exchange rate remained under pressure on Wednesday, with the US Dollar continuing to outperform its major counterparts.

At the time of writing, GBP/USD was trading near $1.3155, down around 0.4% compared with the start of the day's session.

The US Dollar (USD) continued to strengthen on Wednesday, extending a rally that has seen the currency climb to its strongest levels in several months against a basket of peers.

Momentum behind the ‘Greenback’ has continued to build since last week's Federal Reserve policy announcement.

Although policymakers opted to leave interest rates unchanged, the accompanying guidance struck a distinctly hawkish tone. Fed officials signalled they remain prepared to tighten monetary policy further should inflationary pressures persist.

As a result, investors have increased their expectations for another rate rise before the end of the summer.

The shift in interest rate expectations has also unsettled equity markets. Technology stocks have come under particular pressure amid renewed concerns that valuations linked to artificial intelligence may have become overstretched, prompting investors to seek the relative safety of the US Dollar.

The Pound (GBP) struggled to attract support on Wednesday as political uncertainty in the UK continued to linger.

While markets have largely absorbed Keir Starmer’s departure and the expectation that Andy Burnham will become the next Prime Minister, attention is increasingly turning towards the composition of Burnham’s future government.

Investors are especially focused on who will be appointed Chancellor, with concerns that his pick could reignite volatility in the UK bond market.

At the same time, Sterling traders were reluctant to take aggressive positions ahead of a series of speeches from Bank of England (BoE) policymakers. Diverging views among members of the Monetary Policy Committee continue to cloud the outlook for UK interest rates, limiting confidence in the Pound.

Near-Term GBP/USD Forecast: Will US Inflation Data Drive the Next Move?

Looking ahead, the key event for the Pound to US Dollar (GBP/USD) exchange rate will be the release of the latest US core PCE inflation figures.

As the Federal Reserve’s preferred measure of inflation, a stronger-than-expected reading could reinforce expectations for additional policy tightening and provide further support to the US Dollar.

However, any upside in USD could be tempered if revised first-quarter US GDP figures point to a weaker growth backdrop than previously estimated.

For Sterling, political developments are likely to remain the primary focus, with investors continuing to monitor speculation surrounding Burnham’s cabinet appointments and their potential implications for fiscal policy.

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TAGS: Pound Dollar Forecasts