Sterling gives up ground ahead of the weekend

Sterling retreated on Friday ahead of the weekend as the dollar rose against a basket of major currencies, heaping pressure on an already flailing British pound that suffers from the Brexit impact. 

GBP/USD last traded at 1.3115, compared to the opening of 1.3237, with a session-high at 1.3293, and a low at 1.3088. 

Sterling's decline comes after Bank of England's Governor Carney said the bank might take more stimulus measures in the next months to buoy the economy, which would sap value from the pound. 

On the other hand, the dollar returned higher against a basket of major currencies, raising pressure on the pound in the markets. 

The dollar index, gauging the U.S. currency's performance against a basket of six major rivals, last traded at 97.10, compared to thee opening of 96.83, with an intraday high at 97.16, and a one-week trough at 96.81, as investors take refuge in U.S. treasury bonds, while the dollar draws support from recent upbeat data.