UK inflation data buoys Pound

Traders bullish on the British Pound have been waiting anxiously for economic data to be released that would provide an impetus for the Central Bank of Britain to raise interest rates. On Tuesday, they got their wish, as a flurry of data revealed British price levels are slowly creeping up. Despite sagging energy prices, core inflation is running at an annualized rate of 2.4%, and retail sales are up nearly 4% in 2006. The new consensus is for the UK Bank to raise interest rates by 25 basis points at its next meeting, which is scheduled for November. The Financial Times reports:

By mid-afternoon in New York, the pound was 0.5 per cent higher at a one-week high of $1.8700 against the dollar and up 0.4 per cent to £0.6707 against the euro.

Read More: Inflation Figures Boost Sterling