LONDON, Jan 24 (Reuters) - The British pound extended its
gains on Friday after surveys showed that British companies are
enjoying their best month in more than a year, although the
rally was brief as a potential Bank of England interest rate cut
hangs in the balance.
Sterling rose as much as 0.3% to $1.3180 GBP=D3 before
erasing those gains. It was last flat on the day at $1.3125.
Against the euro the pound strengthened to 83.90 pence
EURGBP=D3 and was last up 0.2% to 84.12 pence.
British stocks .FTSE climbed higher after the purchasing
managers index surveys for December came in better than
economists had expected.