The pound's performance this year has been second only to the commodity-driven Canadian dollar among G10 currencies, buoyed by Britain's fast rollout of vaccines that sparked hopes of its economy reopening.
Traders said a lack of fresh economic data or other strong drivers meant the pound could not for now continue its recent march back to its high for the year of $1.4240, a level last reached in February.
Retail sales and consumer confidence data earlier on Friday also pointed to a swift recovery taking shape in Britain's economy as hard-hit restaurants, pubs and shops reopened following months of lockdown closures.
Hotels, restaurants and other previously closed consumer services saw the strongest jump in demand, the PMIs showed.
Economists from Citi said improvements in the economic outlook appeared to be reducing fears of high inflation and uncertainty among members of the public.
"All of these developments suggest the risks surrounding inflation expectations - and in particular the risk expectations could become de-anchored to the upside - may be beginning to ease," the said.