European Bank predicts new post-Brexit difficulties

(AGI) Rome, Aug. 18 - The Brexit is likely to create new difficulties in the Eurozone although it is "too early to discuss any possible monetary response in this phase", said the European Central Bank (ECB) in the minutes of the Governing Council meeting of 20-21 July, the first after Great Britain's referendum. The members of the Council "do not intend to fuel unjustified expectations" on markets although the risk of a downward trend has clearly increased. In the meantime, in July retail sales in Great Britain rose 1.4 percent on a month-on-month basis, completely unaffected by the outcome of the Brexit referendum, reported the Office for National Statistics. In June, pending the referendum vote, retail sales dropped 0.9 percent. In July, the upward trend was driven by non-food items, especially clothing and household goods, the sale of which was boosted by a spell of good weather following a rainy June. Analysts were expecting a smaller rise of 0.1 percent in July. (AGI). .