BREAKING: GBP jumps after UK jobs data

UK jobs data for December was released today at 7:00 am GMT. Report was expected to show a slowdown in weekly wage growth as well as a drop in the unemployment rate to the lowest level since May 2023. Actual report turned out to be a hawkish surprise with wage growth slowing less than expected, employment growing more than expected and unemployment rate dropping to 3.8% - the lowest level since April 2023.

GBP gained following the release, with GBPUSD jumping around 0.2% in a knee-jerk reaction. 

UK, jobs report for December

• Weekly wage growth: 5.8% YoY vs 5.6% YoY expected (6.5% YoY previously)
• Weekly wage growth (excluding bonuses): 6.2% YoY vs 6.0% YoY expected (6.6% YoY previously)
• Employment change: 72k vs 50k expected (73k previously)
• Unemployment rate: 3.8% vs 4.0% expected (4.2% previously)

GBPUSD jumped and tested 1.2640 resistance zone after better-than-expected jobs report from the United Kingdom. Source: xStation5