Sterling Under $1.29

The pound euro (GBP/EUR) has risen above €1.19 to close the week at €1.1934.

The pound gained after UK retail sales were stronger than expected, rising 1% MoM, ahead of forecasts of 0.4%.

The data comes after the BoE left rates unchanged at 5%, and warned that the central bank was in no rush to lower rates.

The euro fell against the pound again last week owing to diverging ECB – BoE interest rate expectations.

German wholesale inflation rose 0.2% MoM in August, in line with July but ahead of the 0.1% forecast.

Looking ahead UK & Eurozone PMI data is due on Monday.