Investing.com – The U.K.’s goods trade deficit widened more-than-expected in December, rising to a record high, official data showed on Wednesday.
In a report, the U.K. Office for National Statistics said the country's goods trade deficit widened to a seasonally adjusted GBP9.25 billion in December, compared to a deficit of GBP8.5 billion in November, whose figure was revised from a deficit of GBP8.7 billion.
Economists had expected the goods trade deficit to widen to GBP8.6 billion in December.
The report said that the total trade deficit widened to GBP4.8 billion in December, compared to a deficit of GBP4.0 billion the previous month.
Following the release of the data, the pound was up against the U.S. dollar, with GBP/USD gaining 0.02% to hit 1.6073.
Meanwhile, European stock markets were mixed. The FTSE 100 slid 0.41%, the EURO STOXX 50 fell 0.05%, France’s CAC 40 shed 0.05%, while Germany's DAX was up 0.18%.
In a report, the U.K. Office for National Statistics said the country's goods trade deficit widened to a seasonally adjusted GBP9.25 billion in December, compared to a deficit of GBP8.5 billion in November, whose figure was revised from a deficit of GBP8.7 billion.
Economists had expected the goods trade deficit to widen to GBP8.6 billion in December.
The report said that the total trade deficit widened to GBP4.8 billion in December, compared to a deficit of GBP4.0 billion the previous month.
Following the release of the data, the pound was up against the U.S. dollar, with GBP/USD gaining 0.02% to hit 1.6073.
Meanwhile, European stock markets were mixed. The FTSE 100 slid 0.41%, the EURO STOXX 50 fell 0.05%, France’s CAC 40 shed 0.05%, while Germany's DAX was up 0.18%.