Investing.com - Mortgage approvals in the U.K. rose more-than-expected in January, industry data showed on Thursday.
In a report, the British Banker's Association said that the number of new mortgages approved in January rose to 38.1K from 36.6K in December, whose figure was revised up from 36.2K.
Analysts had expected mortgage approvals to rise to 37.3K in January.
Following the release of that data, the pound remained higher against the U.S. dollar, with GBP/USD gaining 0.25% to trade at 1.5709.
Meanwhile, European stock markets were broadly higher. London’s FTSE 100 added 0.4%, the EURO STOXX 50 rose 0.35%, France’s CAC 40 gained 0.45%, while Germany's DAX advanced 0.65%.
In a report, the British Banker's Association said that the number of new mortgages approved in January rose to 38.1K from 36.6K in December, whose figure was revised up from 36.2K.
Analysts had expected mortgage approvals to rise to 37.3K in January.
Following the release of that data, the pound remained higher against the U.S. dollar, with GBP/USD gaining 0.25% to trade at 1.5709.
Meanwhile, European stock markets were broadly higher. London’s FTSE 100 added 0.4%, the EURO STOXX 50 rose 0.35%, France’s CAC 40 gained 0.45%, while Germany's DAX advanced 0.65%.