• The GBP/USD is trading flat but rough on Friday, trying to hold above the 1.2400 handle.
• The Pound Sterling's midweek rally is still under threat as markets pare away gains.
• Slumping UK data is sending the GBP into consolidation.

The GBP/USD is treading water just above the 1.2400 handle as the pair grapples with the top end of recent consolidation. The Pound Sterling (GBP) is struggling to hold onto gains chalked in against the US Dollar (USD) this week.

The GBP peaked at a 2.25% gain against the US Dollar in the mid-week, and has since eased back to a more reasonable 1.65%.

Despite a broad-market risk bid fueled by the markets once again speculating that the Federal Reserve (Fed) is done with interest rate hikes, the GBP/USD is remaining trapped in the midrange as UK data misses the mark.

UK Retail Sales decline 0.3% MoM in October

UK Retail Sales declined month-on-month, with the October figure printing at -0.3%, reversing course on the market's forecast 0.3% increase. Losses on the tail end were the focus for investors however, with September's figure getting revised even lower from -0.9% to an eye-watering -1.1%.

Annualized UK Retail Sales fared even worse, with the year into October printing at -2.7% against the previous -1%, and accelerating past the forecast -1.5%.

Next week will see investors turning their attention towards the Fed's latest Meeting Minutes release on Tuesday