The Office for National Statistics released UK Retail Sales data that came out better than expected of 1.0%, compare to forecasted 0.2%.
"Clothing stores saw strong sales, luring consumers with price reductions, with food sales also growing after a slight dip after Christmas," said ONS statistician Rhian Murphy.
Historical Data Table: Retail sales m/m | Economic Calendar for 19.02.2019 | ||||||||
Date | 18.10.2018 | 15.11.2018 | 20.12.2018 | 18.01.2019 | 15.02.2019 | 12:30 AM | AUD Monetary Policy Meeting Minutes | ||
Actual | -0.80% | -0.50% | 1.40% | -0.90% | 1.00% | 9:30 AM | UK Average Earnings Index 3m/y | ||
Forecast | -0.40% | 0.20% | 0.30% | -0.80% | 0.20% | 9:30 AM | UK Unemployment Rate | ||
Initial Reaction on Main Pairs | Open Position Proportions on 15.02.2019 | ||||||||
Open Price | Close Price | % Change | Longs | Shorts | |||||
GBP/USD | 1.27935 | 1.28114 | 0.14% | GBP/USD | 55.36% | 44.64% | |||
EUR/GBP | 0.88135 | 0.88026 | -0.12% | EUR/GBP | 66.03% | 33.97% | |||
GBP/CAD | 1.7017 | 1.70402 | 0.14% | GBP/CAD | 64.13% | 35.87% | |||
GBP/JPY | 141.141 | 141.349 | 0.15% | GBP/JPY | 44.13% | 55.87% |