• GBP/USD churned on Thursday, giving up a tenth of a percent.
• US CPI inflation data came in above expectations, vexing rate cut hopes.
• Coming up on Friday: UK GDP and production figures, US PPI and UoM sentiment.

GPB/USD roiled on Thursday, battling just north of the 1.3000 handle before trimming 0.1% for the day. The Greenback was bolstered by a misfire in US Consumer Price Inflation (CPI) inflation figures, which printed hotter than markets expected. A raft of UK and US data is due on Friday, giving the Cable a tense finish to an otherwise quiet week.

Headline US CPI inflation fell less than expected through the year ended in September, declining from 2.5% to 2.4%. Median market forecasts had called for a print of 2.4% YoY. On the other hand, core US CPI inflation ticked higher YoY in September, rising to 3.3% from the previous 3.2%. 

US Initial Jobless Claims unexpectedly rose for the week ended October 4, climbing to 258K week-on-week and clipping the highest rate of new jobless benefits seekers since June of 2023. 

Mixed rate-impacting data flummoxed rate markets on Thursday. Rising unemployment figures bolster hopes for rate cuts as the Federal Reserve (Fed) looks to keep the US labor market afloat, while still-hot inflation makes it harder for investors to expect a faster pace and depth of rate trims.