A processor (1700) including a pipeline (1710, 1740) having a fetch pipeline (1710) with branch prediction circuitry (1840) to supply respective predicted taken target addresses for branch instructions, an execution pipeline (1740) with a branch execution circuit (1870), and storage elements (in 1860) and control logic (2350) operable to establish a first-in-first-out (FIFO) circuit (1860) with a write pointer WP1 and a read pointer RP1. The control logic (2350) is responsive to the branch prediction circuitry (1840) to write a predicted taken target address to a storage element (in 1860) identified by the write pointer (WP1) and the predicted taken target address remains stationary therein. The FIFO circuit (1860) bypasses a plurality of pipestages between the branch prediction circuitry (1840) and the branch execution circuit (1870). The control logic (2350) is operable to read a predicted taken target address (PTTPCA) from a storage element (in 1860) identified by the read pointer RP1.