BoE Hawkish Hold at 3.75% Drives GBPUSD Up 0.3% to 1.3516 Amid Energy Risks

GBPUSD climbs 0.3% to near 1.3516 after Bank of England holds rates at 3.75% in an 'active hold,' signaling hikes possible if Middle East energy shocks persist. The rally follows resilient UK data—4.2% unemployment, 6.1% wage growth, +1.7% m/m retail sales—and hawkish previews from TD, SocGen, Danske amid BNY's Iran warnings (oil to $140/bbl, inflation >5%, up to 150bps BoE hikes). Goldman shifted drivers to growth/politics, BofA urged May hedges, HSBC flagged split-vote risk; post-BoE steadiness evolves from April volatility, with Friday data looming.