Euro holds losses against British Pound following bright UK Retail Sales data

• EUR/GBP retreated to the mid-range of the 0.8600s after rejection at one-month highs near 0.8685.
• UK Retail Sales increased well beyond expectations in May.
• Public Sector Net Borrowing has also risen against expectations, which might dent the Pound's recovery.

The Euro (EUR) is pulling back against a stronger British Pound (GBP) on Friday, with the EUR/GBP pair trading at the 0.8665 area following rejection at one-month highs near 0.8685. UK Retail Sales figures released beat expectations in May, but the increase in government borrowing might have offset the positive impact on the GBP.

Retail consumption increased by 1.2% in the UK in May, according to data released by the Office for National Statistics, more than twice the 0.5% expected and following a 1% decline in April. Excluding fuel purchases, sales of all other products also increased by 1.2% after a 0.1% contraction in the previous month.

At the same time, National Statistics also revealed that Public Sector Net Borrowing rose to GBP 23.29 billion in May, from GBP 23.03 billion in April, against expectations of a decline to GBP 18.5 billion. These figures might increase concerns about the UK’s fiscal deficit and dent the Pound’s recovery.

On Thursday, the Bank of England (BoE) met market expectations and left interest rates on hold at 3.75, with two policymakers calling for a quarter-point rate hike. The central bank also lowered its inflation forecasts for the rest of the year, but warned that the impact of the energy shock on the UK economy remains uncertain.

Also on Thursday, the Labour Mayor of Manchester, Andrew Burnham, won the election in Makerfield, securing the parliamentary seat needed to challenge the Prime Minister, Keir Starmer. The compact on the Pound, however, has been marginal so far.