[ForexNews]

A number of more positive (or, at least, less negative) indicators for the UK were released overnight. The Nationwide consumer confidence index rose to 50 in April, from 42 in March, the highest reading since November. Nationwide commented that the upturn in equity prices and signs of stabilisation in the property market may have acted to boost sentiment. However, with the economy continuing to contract Nationwide said that it was too early to say whether an upward trend in confidence would endure. The REC/KPMG report on jobs for April showed that although permanent staff placements continued to fall, the pace of decline was the slowest pace in seven months. Staff availability also declined somewhat, although from very high levels, while reported salaries continued to drop. Also, shop price inflation is reported to have moderated in April, according to the BRC.