pound

Sterling eased against the euro on today.

Inflation poses a big headache for the B of E as its ability to curb prices with interest rate rises is limited by slowing growth, a potentially painful mix for the economy and thus for sterling.

Sterling was back on the defensive against the euro this morning as the "feel good" effect of surprisingly strong retail sales figures started to fade, with little change seen to UK monetary policy outlook.

The pound rallied on Thursday after figures showing UK retail sales surged 3.5% last month, the fastest pace since the series began in
1986,putting them up 8.1% on the year.

The startling data, which also boosted British retail shares, fanned talk that the B of E might have scope to raise interest rates from the current 5%.

Sterling fell heavily against the euro on Thursday,with the B of E's decision to leave borrowing costs at 5% eclipsed by the European Central Bank saying a euro area hike might come as soon as July.
The single currency was on track for its biggest one-day percentage gain since mid-April after ECB President Jean-Claude Trichet shocked markets, saying a hike had been discussed ahead of its decision to hold its interest rates at 4%.

Sterling rose slightly this week after a smaller than expected fall in UK retail sales and factory orders suggested that the B of E may put off cutting interest rates in coming months as it tackles rising inflation risks.

Sterling fell slightly against the Euro this morning, dropping back to near an all-time
low as investors remained pessimistic on prospects for the economy despite a
rate cut the previous session. The B of E
cut rates by 25 basis points to 5% on Thursday and said credit conditions had

Sterling sank to new lows against the euro this morning, hitting a record low further beyond the 80p mark as investors weighed expectations for a UK interest rate cut against steadier euro zone monetary policy.
Surrounded by poor economic data and fallout from the well documented global credit crunch, the B of E is expected to put rising inflation pressures to one side at 12:00pm and opt for a 25 basis point
rate cut from 5.25%.