16.03.202606:48 Forex Analysis & Reviews: How to Trade the GBP/USD Currency Pair on March 16? Simple Tips and Deal Analysis for Beginners

Analysis of Friday's Trades:

1H Chart of the GBP/USD Pair

The GBP/USD pair also continued its almost catastrophic decline on Friday. In the morning, the UK released reports on January GDP and industrial production, both of which were weaker than forecasts. Theoretically, it can be concluded that British data prompted the decline of the British currency in the first half of the day; however, the 5-minute timeframe clearly shows that the decline began overnight. Most likely, the British reports did push traders to sell, but the macroeconomic background is clearly not the only reason for the troubles of the British currency over the last month and a half. In the second half of the day, disappointing US data were released, but the dollar continued to rise, just as in the first half. Unfortunately, the situation in the Middle East is not improving, and soon both the Hormuz Strait and the Bab-al-Mandab Strait could potentially be blocked.

5M Chart of the GBP/USD Pair

On the 5-minute timeframe, three trading signals were formed on Friday. At the beginning of the European trading session, the pair broke through the area of 1.3319-1.3331, and an hour later it reached the area of 1.3259-1.3267, where it got stuck for several hours. A false buy signal was generated. In the American trading session, the pair formed another sell signal by breaking through 1.3259-1.3267. By the end of the day, the level of 1.3212 was almost achieved.

How to Trade on Monday:

On the hourly timeframe, the GBP/USD pair continues to form a "geopolitical trend." There are no global grounds for a medium-term rise in the dollar, so in 2026, we expect a resumption of the global upward trend of 2025, which could push the pair to at least 1.4000. However, in recent weeks, the situation has almost always been unfavorable for the British currency, and the market is completely focused on the war in the Middle East, which directly affects the value of the American currency.

On Monday, novice traders may open short positions if there is a bounce from the 1.3259-1.3267 area, targeting 1.3203-1.3212. If the price consolidates above the 1.3259-1.3267 area, long positions may be opened with targets of 1.3319-1.3331.

On the 5-minute timeframe, trading can be done at the following levels: 1.3096-1.3107, 1.3203-1.3212, 1.3259-1.3267, 1.3319-1.3331, 1.3403-1.3407, 1.3437-1.3446, 1.3484-1.3489, 1.3529-1.3543, 1.3643-1.3652, 1.3695, and 1.3741-1.3751. On Monday, there are no important events scheduled in either the US or the UK. However, the flow of geopolitical news remains strong, and the situation in the Middle East continues to escalate, which is supporting growth prospects for the American currency.

Key Principles of the Trading System:

1. The strength of a signal is determined by the time it takes to form the signal (bounce or breakout). The less time taken, the stronger the signal.
2. If two or more trades have been opened at a particular level based on false signals, all subsequent signals from that level should be ignored.
3. In a flat market, any pair can form many false signals or none at all. In any case, at the first signs of a flat trend, it is best to stop trading.
4. Trading deals are to be opened during the period between the start of the European session and the mid-American session, after which all trades should be closed manually.
5. On the hourly timeframe, it is preferable to trade based on signals from the MACD indicator only when there is good volatility and a trend confirmed by a trend line or trend channel.
6. If two levels are positioned too close together (5-20 pips apart), they should be considered a support or resistance area.
7. Upon moving 20 pips in the correct direction, a Stop Loss should be set to breakeven.

What to Look for on the Charts:

Price levels of support and resistance are levels that serve as targets when opening buys or sells. Take Profit levels can be placed around them.

Red lines represent channels or trend lines that show the current trend and indicate the direction in which it is preferable to trade now.

The MACD indicator (14,22,3) – the histogram and the signal line – is a supporting indicator that can also be used as a source of signals.

Important speeches and reports (always included in the news calendar) can significantly affect the movement of the currency pair. Therefore, during their release, trading should be done with utmost caution, or traders should exit the market to avoid sharp price reversals against the previous movement.

Beginning traders in the forex market should remember that not every trade can be profitable. Developing a clear strategy and effective money management are the keys to long-term trading success.