Sterling climbs for seventh straight session versus dollar

Sterling rose to January 25 highs against the dollar following earlier data from the US, the world's largest economy, and amid a lack thereof from Britain, as investors await Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta President Raphael Bostic's speech about the economy at the Shoals Chamber of Commerce, in Alabama later today.

As of 03:28 GMT, GBP/USD rose 0.60% to 1.4323 from the opening of 1.4261, with a session-low at 1.4232, and a three-month trough at 1.4338. 

Earlier US data showed retail sales rose 0.6% in March, compared to a 0.1% dip in February, and beating expectations of a 0.4% rise, while core sales rose 0.2% in line with expectations. 

The Empire State Manufacturing Index slowed down to 15.8 in April from 22.5 in March, missing expectations of 14.9, while business inventories rose 0.6% as expected in February, as the NAHB Housing Market Index inched down to 69 from 70 in March, missing forecasts of 71.