The British pound strengthened against other major currencies in the European session on Friday, after data showed that the U.K. retail sales rebounded in December as online jewelers reported a renewed increase in demand for precious metals. In other economic news, data from the Office for National Statistics showed that the U.K. retail sales increased 0.4 percent in December, in contrast to the 0.1 percent fall in November. Economists expected no change in the sales volume in December.
Excluding auto fuel, retail sales moved up 0.3 percent, reversing November's 0.4 percent drop. The monthly increase confounded economists' forecast of 0.2 percent fall.
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Forex News
June 05, 2026 16:18 ET A busy week for economic news flow saw a slew of reports being released that reflected the trends in the U.S. labor market. In Europe, economic growth and inflation data gained attention as the European Central Bank and Bank of England head for policy session later in the month. In Asia, the monetary policy session of the Indian central bank was in focus as the country, a major oil importer, reels under the pressures of a weaker rupee and rising inflation.