Markets

Sterling slips after UK industrial data misses forecasts

Published January 9, 2015 Updated January 9, 2015 10:02am

LONDON: Sterling pared gains against the dollar on Friday after data showed British industrial output and the construction sector losing further momentum in November, bolstering a view that growth was moderating.

British industrial output fell by 0.1 percent on the month in November, unexpectedly extending October's decline. A Reuters poll had forecast a 0.2 percent rise, month-on-month, and a 1.6 percent rise annually.

Construction output also fell by 2 percent on the month in November.

Sterling slipped to $1.5132 from around $1.5145 beforehand, still up 0.3 percent on the day. The pound hit a 18-month low of $1.5034 earlier this week as investors pushed back expectations of a Bank of England rate hike..

The euro was down 0.1 percent at 78.06 pence, having traded at 77.99 pence before the data was released.

Copyright Reuters, 2015