EUR/GBP sticks to gains around 0.8635-0.8640 area after UK data/German CPI

The EUR/GBP cross attracts fresh buyers near the 0.8400 mark and stalls the previous day's sharp retracement slide from its highest level since August 23. Spot prices stick to positive bias around the 0.8435-0.8440 region following the release of the UK macro data and the final German Consumer Price Index (CPI) print. 

The UK Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that the economy returned to expansion and grew 0.1% in November after declining 0.1% in the previous month. Other data from the UK showed that monthly Industrial and Manufacturing Production dropped more than expected, by 0.4% and 0.3%, respectively, in November. This comes on top of Wednesday's softer consumer inflation figures from the UK and offers the Bank of England (BoE) an opportunity to cut interest rates in February. Adding to this concerns about the UK’s fiscal situation and the risk of stagflation – a combination of high inflation and weak economic growth – undermine the British Pound (GBP).

The shared currency, on the other hand, draws some support from a rise in German core annual inflation, which crept higher to 3.3% in December from 3.0% in the previous month. This turns out to be another factor that remains supportive of the bid tone surrounding the EUR/GBP cross. The data, however, raises stagflation worries for the Eurozone's largest economy and reaffirms expectations for further interest rate cuts by the European Central Bank (ECB). This might cap gains for the Euro and warrants some caution for bullish traders around the currency pair, making it prudent to wait for acceptance above the very important 200-day SMA before placing fresh bets.