Investing.com - The U.K.’s goods trade deficit narrowed more than expected in April, official data showed on Tuesday.
In a report, the U.K. Office for National Statistics said the country's goods trade deficit narrowed to a seasonally adjusted £8.6 billion in April from a deficit of £10.7 billion in March. Economists had expected the goods trade deficit to narrow to £9.9 billion in April.
Exports of goods increased by £0.7 billion, of which £0.6 billion was attributed to countries outside of the European Union. Imports of goods fell by £1.5 billion, reflecting falls in the imports of miscellaneous manufactures.
U.K. trade data shows the extent of import and export activity, a key contributor to the overall economic growth of the U.K.
GBP/USD was trading at 1.5301 from around 1.5303 ahead of the announcement, while EUR/GBP was at 0.7381 from 0.7380 earlier.
Meanwhile, European stock markets remained mostly lower. London’s FTSE 100 was flat, the EURO STOXX 50 shed 0.35%, France's CAC 40 dipped 0.35%, while Germany's DAX slipped 0.45%.