Market Focus

On Friday, January 19, 2018, attention should be paid to the data on retail sales in the UK. Retail sales is an important indicator of consumer spending, which also characterizes consumer confidence and is seen as an indicator of the pace of the UK economy.

• According to the forecast, retail sales in December increased by 0.3%, against the growth of 1.1% in the previous month. On annualized basis, the value is 2.1%, against the previous value of 1.6%.
• The base retail sales index in December will change by 0.0%, versus the November value of 1.2%. On annualized basis, the indicator will grow by 2.7%, which is higher than the previous value at 1.5%.

The release of data within the forecast will support the pound. That is why one should expect the growth of the British currency within 40-50 points against the competitors.

Alexander Sivtsov