Forex - GBP/USD edges higher on strong U.K. data

The pound edged higher against the U.S. dollar on Wednesday, after the release of positive employment data from the U.K., while investors eyed highly anticipated U.S. economic reports later in the day. 

GBP/USD hit 1.5254 during European morning trade, the session high; the pair subsequently consolidated at 1.5229, adding 0.12%. 

The pair was likely to find support at 1.5099, the low of April 2 and resistance at 1.5331, Tuesday's high. 

Official data showed that the number of unemployed people in the U.K. declined far-more-than expected in April, dropping by 7,300 after a 9,900 decline the previous month. 

Analysts had expected the number of unemployed people to fall by 3,000 last month. 

Separately, the U.K. unemployment rate ticked down to 7.8 in March, from 7.9 the previous month. Analysts had expected the unemployment rate to remain unchanged. 

Sentiment remained under pressure however, after preliminary data showed that Germany's gross domestic product rose less-than-expected in the first quarter, adding 0.1% after a 0.7% decline in the previous quarter. Analysts had expected the GDP to rise 0.3% in the first quarter. 

Year-on-year, Germany's GDP contracted by 1.7%, disappointing expectations for a 0.2% a rise, after an increase of 0.1% in the fourth quarter. 

Sterling was higher against the euro with EUR/GBP shedding 0.29%, to hit 0.8471. 

Later in the day, the U.S. was to release data on producer price inflation, industrial production, the capacity utilization rate and a report on manufacturing activity in New York State.