Euro trims losses against British Pound despite bright UK Retail Sales data

The Euro (EUR) is trimming some losses against the British Pound (GBP) on Friday, with the EUR/GBP pair trading at 0.8670 after bouncing from session lows near 0.8660. UK Retail Sales figures beat expectations in May, but the unexpected rise in government borrowing may have offset the positive impact on GBP.

Retail consumption increased by 1.2% in the UK in May, according to data released by the Office for National Statistics, more than twice the 0.5% expected and following a 1% decline in April. Excluding fuel purchases, sales of all other products also increased by 1.2% after a 0.1% contraction in the previous month.

At the same time, National Statistics also revealed that Public Sector Net Borrowing rose to GBP 23.29 billion in May, from GBP 23.03 billion in April, against expectations of a decline to GBP 18.5 billion. These figures might increase concerns about the UK’s fiscal deficit and dent the Pound’s recovery.

German producer prices slow down in May

In the Eurozone, German Producer Prices Index (PPI) data showed that factory-gate inflation accelerated to 2.2% year-on-year in May, up from 1.7% in April, but below the 2.5% rate expected. The Monthly PPI eased to 0.3% from 1.2% in the previous month.

On Thursday, the Bank of England (BoE) met market expectations and left interest rates on hold at 3.75, with two policymakers calling for a quarter-point rate hike. The central bank also lowered its inflation forecasts for the rest of the year, but warned that the impact of the energy shock on the UK economy remains uncertain.

Also on Thursday, the Labour Mayor of Manchester, Andrew Burnham, won the election in Makerfield, securing the parliamentary seat needed to challenge the Prime Minister, Keir Starmer. The compact on the Pound, however, has been marginal so far.