Markets

Sterling edges up vs dollar as UK inflation picks up a little

Published November 18, 2014 Updated November 18, 2014 09:49am

LONDON: Sterling edged up to a day's high against the dollar on Tuesday after data showed UK inflation picking up slightly in October, providing some relief to markets that had expected a softer number after dovish recent comments from BoE policymakers.

Consumer prices rose by an annual 1.3 percent in October, compared with a five-year low of 1.2 percent in September and in line with economists' forecasts in a Reuters poll, the Office for National Statistics said on Tuesday.

Sterling rose to $1.5669 after the data, from $1.5648 beforehand.

The euro pared gains to trade at 79.81 pence, still up 0.2 percent on the day.

Gilt futures rose 3 ticks to a day's high of 116.84 before retreating to trade around 116.76, up 26 ticks on the day.

Copyright Reuters, 2014