Gfk released its consumer confidence index for the U.K. on late Thursday evening. GfK's U.K. consumer confidence index rose to 7 in August from 4 in July. Analysts had expected the index to remain unchanged at 4.

4 of 5 measures increased.

"Rising house price inflation and improving employment growth prospects, combined with falling petrol prices and day-to-day living costs, as well as low interest rates, are translating into high levels of confidence across all major measures. Confidence in the future for both our personal financial and general economic situation for the next 12 months remains strong," Joe Staton, Head of Market Dynamics at GfK, said.