Investing.com - The pound was almost unchanged against the U.S. dollar on Tuesday, trading within close distance of five-month lows after weak U.K. mortgage data and amid ongoing concerns over tensions in Ukraine.
GBP/USD hit 1.6566 during European morning trade, the session low; the pair subsequently consolidated at 1.6576, dipping 0.02%.
Cable was likely to find support at 1.6546, Monday's low and a five-month low and resistance at 1.6602, the high of August 21.
Industry data showed that U.K. mortgage approvals rose by 42,800 last month, less than the expected increase of 44,200, after a revised 43,200 rise in June.
Markets were jittery as Russian President Vladimir Putin was set to meet his Ukrainian counterpart, Petro Poroshenko, later Tuesday amid growing tensions in the region.
On Monday, Ukraine said an armored column including 10 tanks entered from Russia as the government in Moscow unveiled plans to send a second convoy with humanitarian aid.
Meanwhile, demand for the greenback remained supported after Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen said at Jackson Hole on Friday that the U.S. economy is recovering and added the labor market is improving as well.
Sterling was steady against the euro, with EUR/GBP inching up 0.06% to 0.7962.
Later in the day, the U.S. was to publish reports on July durable goods orders, as well as house price inflation and consumer confidence.