Investing.com - The U.K.’s goods trade deficit narrowed in line with market expectations in December, official data showed on Thursday.
In a report, the U.K. Office for National Statistics said the country's goods trade deficit narrowed to a seasonally adjusted GBP8.9 billion in December from a revised deficit of GBP9.3 billion in November.
Economists had expected the goods trade deficit to narrow to GBP8.9 billion in December.
Seasonally adjusted, the U.K.’s deficit on trade in goods and services was estimated to have been GBP3.2 billion in December, compared with a deficit of GBP3.6 billion in November.
Following the release of the data, the pound was higher against the U.S. dollar, with GBP/USD rising 0.08% to trade at 1.5672.
Meanwhile, European stock markets were modestly higher. London’s FTSE 100 was flat, the EURO STOXX 50 added 0.2%, France’s CAC 40 eased up 0.1%, while Germany's DAX tacked on 0.1%.
In a report, the U.K. Office for National Statistics said the country's goods trade deficit narrowed to a seasonally adjusted GBP8.9 billion in December from a revised deficit of GBP9.3 billion in November.
Economists had expected the goods trade deficit to narrow to GBP8.9 billion in December.
Seasonally adjusted, the U.K.’s deficit on trade in goods and services was estimated to have been GBP3.2 billion in December, compared with a deficit of GBP3.6 billion in November.
Following the release of the data, the pound was higher against the U.S. dollar, with GBP/USD rising 0.08% to trade at 1.5672.
Meanwhile, European stock markets were modestly higher. London’s FTSE 100 was flat, the EURO STOXX 50 added 0.2%, France’s CAC 40 eased up 0.1%, while Germany's DAX tacked on 0.1%.