Investing.com - The pound held steady against the U.S. dollar on Friday, still hovering close to seven-month lows after disappointing U.S. jobs data as demand for sterling remained under pressure after the Bank of England's latest policy statement.
GBP/USD hit 1.6340 during U.S. morning trade, the session high; the pair subsequently consolidated at 1.6332, easing up 0.02%.
Cable was likely to find support at 1.6250 and resistance at 1.6465, Thursday's high.
In a report, the Department of Labor said that the U.S. economy added 142,000 jobs in August, less than the expected increase of 225,000. The number of jobs added in July was revised to a 212,000 increase from a previously estimated rise of 209,000.
The report also showed that the U.S. unemployment rate ticked down to 6.1% last month, from 6.2%, in line with expectations.
The data came a day after the ADP nonfarm payrolls report showed that the private sector added less jobs than expected in August, while a separate report showed that the number of people who filed for unemployment assistance in the U.S. last week rose more than anticipated.
The pound came under broad selling pressure on Thursday after the BoE voted to keep interest rates on hold at 0.5% and to keep the size of its asset purchase program unchanged at £375 billion.
The minutes of the meeting, due to be published in two weeks, would indicate how many monetary policy committee members voted in favor of a rate hike. The MPC was split last month, with two members voting in favor of a rate increase and two against.
Demand for sterling also weakened amid concerns that support for Scottish independence is gaining momentum ahead of a referendum due to take place on September 18.
Sterling was lower higher against the euro, with EUR/GBP adding 0.21% to 0.7943.