Profit taking ahead of the weekend allowed the pound to make further ground against the aussie on Friday

Sterling maintained its rally as investors continued to lock in profits ahead of the weekend, with the price closing the day at 1.7839.

• 
  
• Having climbed to multi-year highs against the pound earlier last week, positive comments from members of the BoE concerning the quantitative easing programme triggered an opportunity amongst investors to take profit, driving the price higher.
  
• Comments on Friday were made that stated the asset purchase scheme is having its desired effect on the UK economy, dulling concerns about the possibility of a further expansion.
  
• There was also a slight pull back in demand for the higher-yielding aussie following a weak earnings report from the Bank of America, which gave investors further cause to cash profits.
  
• This morning, traders have resumed aussie buying, with analysts noting that despite some disappointing US corporate earnings, the market remains positive and high-yielders are still on a rising trend.