American focus : the pound was up against the U.S. dollar

The dollar against the euro has grown significantly , which helped the positive data on GDP and on the labor market . U.S. Commerce Department reported that gross domestic product in the 4th quarter of 2013 increased by 2.6 % compared with the same period last year. This value is higher than the second assessment that GDP grew by 2.4 %, but below economists' forecast for growth of 2.7% . GDP growth in the 4th quarter after growth slowed to 4.1% in the 3rd quarter, but the indicator base strength of the economy has risen. Growth in real final sales , which do not take into account the volatility of stocks subject , accelerated to 2.7% from 2.5% in the 3rd quarter. In the 4th quarter, consumer spending rose by 3.3% , whereas previously assumed their growth by 2.6%.

Meanwhile, a report from the Department of Labor showed that the number of initial claims for unemployment benefits (a measure of layoffs throughout the economy ) decreased by 10,000 and totaled a seasonally adjusted 311,000 in the week ended March 22. Economists had forecast 326,000 new claims for the week . The number of initial claims for the week ending March 15 was slightly revised to 321,000 from 320,000 . Four-week average of initial claims fell to 317,750 last week ( at least since last September ) .

It should also be noted that certain statements after several European officials euro traders now focus on inflation data to determine the fate of the currency .

Pound traded upward against the dollar, but slightly retreated from the highest point of the session. Positively influenced the dynamics of the British retail sales data , but strong U.S. data partly offset the pound . Note that in the UK retail sales rebounded stronger pace in February than expected by economists showed on Thursday , official data Office for National Statistics . Retail sales , including automotive fuel rose 1.7 percent in February from January . It was expected that sales will grow by 0.5 percent , after falling 2 percent in January . Excluding automotive fuel retail sales rose 1.8 percent in February , in contrast to 2 percent drop in the previous month . Economists had expected an increase of 0.3 percent. In annual terms, retail sales , including automotive fuel rose in February by 3.7 percent . Although the level slowed from 3.9 percent growth in January , it exceeded 2.4 per cent growth expected by economists. Except automotive fuel sales growth slowed to 4.2 percent from 4.4 percent in January . Sales are projected to grow had 2.9 percent .