Sterling rises past $1.32 for first time in two weeks

Sterling rose in American trade to September 26 highs against the greenback, following earlier data from Britain and the US today. 

As of 04:49 GMT, GBP/USD rose 0.50% to 1.3209, with an intraday low at 1.3135, and a two-week high at 1.3213. 

Earlier UK data showed manufacturing production fell 0.2%, compared to a 0.2% dip in July, while industrial output rose 0.2%, slowing down from 0.4% and beating estimates of 0.1%. 

The goods trade deficit widened to £11.2 billion from £10.4 billion, above estimates of £10.9 billion, while estimates for GDP growth were zero for August, compared to a 0.4% increase in July. 

The services index for the three months ending August rose 0.5%, slowing down from 0.7%, and missing estimates of 0.6%. 

US Inflation Data 

Earlier US data showed producer prices rose 0.2% as expected in September, compared to a 0.1% dip in August, while core prices rose 0.2% as well, matching estimates. . 

The final reading for wholesale inventories showed a 1% increase, compared to the preliminary reading's 0.8%, and adding to July's 0.6% increase.