Sterling Outperforms on PMI Resilience, Dollar Holds Firm Despite Mixed US Data.Sterling leads the currency markets today, buoyed by stronger-than-expected UK PMI and retail sales data that reinforced the narrative of economic resilience. The rebound in business activity helped offset lingering concerns generated earlier in the week by softer labor and inflation figures.
Canada retail sales slip -0.4% mom in December, January rebound expected.Canada's retail sales declined -0.4% mom in December to CAD 70.0B, slightly better than the -0.5% drop expected. The pullback marks a modest softening in year-end consumer activity, though the headline miss was not as severe as feared.
US income and spending rise in December, PCE inflation picks up.US personal income rose by USD 86.2B, or 0.3% mom in December, supported mainly by gains in compensation and higher government social benefits. Personal spending increased by USD 91.0B, or 0.4% mom.
US Q4 GDP growth slows sharply to 1.4% annualized, shutdown and exports weigh.US economic growth decelerated markedly in the Q4 2025, with real GDP expanding at an annualized pace of 1.4%, well below expectations of 2.9%. The slowdown is significant compared with the 4.4% surge recorded in Q3.