Trade balance narrows sharply in January

Figures out this morning showed the UK trade gap is at its narrowest level for nearly a year, down to £7bn in January from £9.7bn in December.

Although good news for the UK economy, the figures are relatively volatile, so it is too early to say whether we are seeing a longer-term rebalancing of trade.

Tomorrow is a crucial day for sterling, with GDP estimate, industrial & manufacturing production, and the Bank of England’s interest rate decision all released throughout the day.