Major Pairs Analysis: GBP Rises Against EUR - April 23, 2013

 | Apr 23, 2013 03:51AM ET

EUR/USD
Euro-area consumer confidence increased unexpectedly in April, adding to signs the currency bloc will emerge from a recession in the second quarter. Record unemployment of 12 percent and spending cuts across the euro area have eroded consumer spending power, even as inflation has fallen below the European Central Bank’s 2 percent ceiling for the first time in OVER two years. Retail sales fell 0.3 percent in February, the last month for which data are available. The euro-area economy has contracted for five quarters and is forecast to shrink 0.1 percent in the first three months of 2013 before returning to growth. the 17-nation currency was traded at $1.3045.