The US dollar index fell 0.4 per cent to 77.581 today (December 31st).

Reports in the Financial Times (FT), attribute the "broad" decline to "extremely light" trade as Tokyo and many European countries take holiday ahead of the New Year celebrations.

A total of £82.5 billion was raised through the issue of new shares on the London Stock Exchange this year.

This is an increase of 16 per cent compared to the total raised on the exchange in 2008, a statement revealed.

More than 60 new issues took place on the exchange this year, of which 18 were IPOs, despite economic conditions deteriorating at several points in the year.

Favourable exchange rates will help travellers make decisions about which countries to visit on holiday, it has been claimed.

Bob Atkinson of price comparison website travelsupermarket.com said that accommodation and other costs are related to exchange rates.

Despite fluctuations in currency exchange rates, the idea of owning property in France and Spain remains popular among Britons, according to a property expert.

Christopher Chadd, head of research from Property Frontiers, commented that the idea of a second home in the sun was the driving force attracting Britons to the European countries.

Mr Chadd said: "No matter what is happening in global property markets, nothing speaks to the British investor's heart as much as owning that second home in the sun."

He added that currency exchange rates were still important "as investors become ever more sophisticated and currency fluctuations more and more volatile, we are seeing a large number of investors looking for advice on currency plays".

Figures from Primelocation show that France was the most searched for property abroad for a year until Spain took the lead in November 2009.

Last month Spain accounted for 30 per cent of the total number of searches.

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Sterling exchange rates looked strong against the dollar as the pound bought at $1.602 at 11:00 GMT.

After rates neared a two-month low earlier this week, traders saw sterling make a small rise against the dollar, although the currency did make further losses against the euro.

The low sterling exchange rate has been praised for contributing to the economic growth of Britain.

Low exchange rates have been held partly responsible for the higher than expected contraction in the UK economy following the release of the third quarter economic figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) yesterday.

The low sterling exchange rate has been praised for contributing to the economic growth of Britain.

Low exchange rates have been held partly responsible for the higher than expected contraction in the UK economy following the release of the third quarter economic figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) yesterday.

Morocco will consider adopting a more flexible currency exchange system, according the country's central bank governor.

Abdellatif Jouahri told a reporter from Reuters that the country will need to look at a different system as its trade with foreign markets increases.

Morocco will consider adopting a more flexible currency exchange system, according the country's central bank governor.

Abdellatif Jouahri told a reporter from Reuters that the country will need to look at a different system as its trade with foreign markets increases.

Sterling exchange rates are close to a two-month low in trading with the dollar after the Bank of England's minutes were published in a report today (23rd December).

The minutes are non-committal on activity growth, leading to suggestions from economists that the option remains to extend quantitative easing in early 2010.

Britons looking to move abroad and earn a wage in a foreign currency could be encouraged by news that global employment markets are improving.

The Asia Pacific region is the strongest employment area with hiring rates similar to those from before the recession, according to a survey from employment service provider Manpower.

Britons looking to move abroad and earn a wage in a foreign currency could be encouraged by news that global employment markets are improving.

The Asia Pacific region is the strongest employment area with hiring rates similar to those from before the recession, according to a survey from employment service provider Manpower.

Investors looking to make money abroad have been advised to take a fresh look at the emerging markets.

Independent financial advisers polled by JP Morgan were 61 per cent in favour of investing in the emerging markets, particularly Asia.

Investors looking to make money abroad have been advised to take a fresh look at the emerging markets.

Independent financial advisers polled by JP Morgan were 61 per cent in favour of investing in the emerging markets, particularly Asia.

A new private healthcare system which could benefit expatriates, has been released by Integra Global.

The health insurance provider has developed an electronic system as a key part of its new product.

Its system allows customers to monitor their health records from all over the world by storing their information securely online or on a private portable storage device.

Sterling has held a stable exchange rate trading at $1.615 at 8:00 this morning (December 21st).

The steady rate comes as a relief to compared to last week's two-month low of $1.6053.

However, economists expect to see changes in the figures later this week as the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meets on Wednesday to discuss the nation's finances.

The UK looks set to continue along a slow road to fiscal recovery, according to a leading business association.

A report from the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) predicted that recovery in the UK will "be weak at 0.3 per cent" in the first two quarters of 2010 as consumer confidence in spending rises gently.

Currency exchange rates have become the basis of industrial action for Eurostar train drivers over today (Friday 18th December) and tomorrow.

Problems arose when train drivers' union Aslef claimed that drivers from the UK were losing money when their work took them to Paris or Brussels.

A leading economist has said that a "double dip recession" looks unlikely after a recent financial report suggested confidence was growing among UK businesses.

The positive financial report from Lloyd's TSB found rising confidence in sales, orders and profits amongst UK businesses, a possible sign that the economy and Sterling exchange rates could be on the road to recovery in 2010.

UK investors should transfer their money and 'look abroad' if they want to see strong returns.

The advice comes from JP Morgan's global strategist, Tom Elliot, who has suggested that the emerging markets may provide higher returns than those offered in the current UK economic climate.

Foreign currency exchange prospects looked strong for sterling as the pound rose sharply against the euro on Wednesday (16th December).

The exchange rate reached a high of 1.126 euros to the pound whilst rates against the dollar also showed a slow improvement.

Taxes on bankers' bonuses are a "political attack", according to Rob Moulton, a partner at corporate law firm Nabarro.

Mr Moulton claimed that that the tax has been applied too generally and that it fails to differentiate between those who benefited from the government's financial support and firms too small to ever warrant a government bail-out.

Taxes on bankers' bonuses are a "political attack", according to Rob Moulton, a partner at corporate law firm Nabarro.

Mr Moulton claimed that that the tax has been applied too generally and that it fails to differentiate between those who benefited from the government's financial support and firms too small to ever warrant a government bail-out.

Taxes on bankers' bonuses are a "political attack", according to Rob Moulton, a partner at corporate law firm Nabarro.

Mr Moulton claimed that that the tax has been applied too generally and that it fails to differentiate between those who benefited from the government's financial support and firms too small to ever warrant a government bail-out.

Brits who own property abroad have been urged to take a "cautious approach" to currency exchange due to unpredictable markets.

Mark Bodega, director of currency specialists HiFX, issued the advice after the company's global currency report revealed that 2009 has been a "volatile year for the world's currency markets".

Brits who own property abroad have been urged to take a "cautious approach" to currency exchange due to unpredictable markets.

Mark Bodega, director of currency specialists HiFX, issued the advice after the company's global currency report revealed that 2009 has been a "volatile year for the world's currency markets".

Brits who own property abroad have been urged to take a "cautious approach" to currency exchange due to unpredictable markets.

Mark Bodega, director of currency specialists HiFX, issued the advice after the company's global currency report revealed that 2009 has been a "volatile year for the world's currency markets".

The euro looks set to continue to gain strength, as the currency rose 0.76 per cent against the dollar at 9.55am today (December 15th).

A continued increase could encourage Britons to consider expatriating to European destinations such as France and Germany to take advantage of the relative stability of the currency.

The euro looks set to continue to gain strength, as the currency rose 0.76 per cent against the dollar at 9.55am today (December 15th).

A continued increase could encourage Britons to consider expatriating to European destinations such as France and Germany to take advantage of the relative stability of the currency.

The number of Britons moving abroad has risen as high-earners look for ways to protect their money from tax increases.

Chancellor Alistair Darling's announcement that bankers' bonuses over £25,000 would be hit by a 50 per cent tax rate has seen the nation's wealthy leaving at a rate of ten a week, according to research from the Sunday Times newspaper.

The number of Britons moving abroad has risen as high-earners look for ways to protect their money from tax increases.

Chancellor Alistair Darling's announcement that bankers' bonuses over £25,000 would be hit by a 50 per cent tax rate has seen the nation's wealthy leaving at a rate of ten a week, according to research from the Sunday Times newspaper.

Foreign exchange prospects are looking up for the pound due to the currency holding a steady exchange rate against the euro over recent days.

Despite small negative changes and a drop against the dollar, sterling was trading at 1.10730 against the euro on the morning of December 14th.

Australia looks to be a strong candidate for Brits considering a move abroad, as a rise in full time employment has given the economy a further boost.

November saw the number of people in full-time employment rise by 30,800 compared to figures from October, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics

America and Brazil have the "best deals" for property according to Property Frontiers.

Britons looking to emigrate west and transfer their money abroad could follow the advice of the property investment firm's head of research, Christopher Chadd, and invest in property in the Americas.

"The US is the epicentre of the global property crash" said Mr Chadd, clarifying why the best deals were to be found in the Americas.

The expert added that locations closer to home such as Spain, France, Italy and Portugal remain popular.

Mr Chadd explained "the fact that prices are still down year on year is no bad thing at all" because "markets need to correct and stabilise".

The advice comes after the global estate agent Knight Frank published its global property price index yesterday, prompting investors and emigrants to assess the security of putting money into foreign property.

Similar recommendations were made by Homesgofast.com which listed Brazil, France and the US as the top foreign investment locations for property in November of this year.

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Posted by Alan Watkins

The pound rose by 0.2 per cent against the dollar this morning to $1.6311, Reuters reported, following the release of report from Moody's credit ratings agency.

The relatively positive report on the UK's financial position appears to have calmed investor fears on sterling, contributing to the pound's rise.

The report calmed worries over Britain's financial climate, as it indicated that there was no immediate risk of the firm downgrading of Britain's sovereign debt from its present gold-plated AAA rating.

Geraldine Concagh, an economist at AIB Group Treasury, explained to Reuters news agency: "Sterling has been given a bit of a lift from Moody's saying there is no immediate threat to the UK rating, but it has stayed within ranges against the dollar and the euro."

Investors were concerned about the strength of the pound following chancellor Alistair Darling's pre-Budget report earlier this week.

This assurance from Moody's will go some way to stem worries that the chancellor's report did not lay out adequate plans to improve the ever-increasing deficit in the UK's finances.

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Posted by Marie Chaplin

The chancellor's announcement that UK GDP will fall by 4.75 per cent this year has had an impact on foreign exchanges.

Alistair Darling said in his Pre-Budget Report (PBR), delivered in parliament today, that the public deficit will increase by £178 billion this year, up from the initial estimate of £175 billion.

The chancellor's announcement that UK GDP will fall by 4.75 per cent this year has had an impact on foreign exchanges.

Alistair Darling said in his Pre-Budget Report (PBR), delivered in parliament today, that the public deficit will increase by £178 billion this year, up from the initial estimate of £175 billion.

The chancellor's announcement that UK GDP will fall by 4.75 per cent this year has had an impact on foreign exchanges.

Alistair Darling said in his Pre-Budget Report (PBR), delivered in parliament today, that the public deficit will increase by £178 billion this year, up from the initial estimate of £175 billion.

UK emigrants can expect a warm welcome if they decide to move to France, Italy or Spain, a new survey suggests.

According to an international poll conducted by the German Marshall Fund (GMF) of the United States, clear majorities of residents in all three nations support the granting of local voting rights to legal migrants.

UK emigrants can expect a warm welcome if they decide to move to France, Italy or Spain, a new survey suggests.

According to an international poll conducted by the German Marshall Fund (GMF) of the United States, clear majorities of residents in all three nations support the granting of local voting rights to legal migrants.

Tax reforms set out by the upcoming Pre-Budget Report (PBR) could encourage UK emigration and boost the number of international money transfers.

Speaking to the Scotland on Sunday, an accountant pointed out that recent changes to income tax could have provoked some Britons to leave for preferable tax regimes overseas.

This could, in turn, have led to international payments to the UK becoming more common.

Chancellor of the exchequer Alistair Darling is widely anticipated to include tax increases in the PBR, which is to be delivered tomorrow (December 9th).

A need to patch up the deteriorating public finances - with over £175 billion of debts built up during 2009 - has provided impetus for the reforms.

In the Budget, delivered in April, Mr Darling announced that the higher rate of income tax for those earning £150,000 or more per year was to increase from 40 per cent to 50 per cent.

Similar increases could be imposed on other income tax bands by the PBR.

Derek Henderson, head of tax at Deloitte in Scotland, told the newspaper: "Increasing income tax on the higher paid looks counter-productive. The Treasury believes that it will collect just 30 per cent of the theoretical yield from the 50 per cent rate.

"Encouraging tax planning and emigration isn't a great economic strategy."

The US dollar has continued its rise against the pound today (December 7th), following last week's positive jobs data.

On Friday, official figures showed that the unemployment rate in the world's largest economy has dropped from 10.2 to ten per cent.

Rising investor interest in Brazilian properties is expected by the International Homes Network.

Toby Simcox, sales and business development manager at the property specialists, said that he was expecting an "influx" of enquiries and that the South American nation is now a "hotspot".

The pound fell against the dollar on foreign exchanges today (December 4th), following better-than-expected US unemployment figures.

Sterling dropped from $1.665 to $1.655 on news that non-farm payrolls fell by 11,000 during November 2009.

Dubai property developers should not all be "tarnished with the same brush", it has been suggested.

Dan Johnson, director of specialist website TheMoveChannel.com, said that the outlook for the emirate's property market remains uncertain.

Dubai property developers should not all be "tarnished with the same brush", it has been suggested.

Dan Johnson, director of specialist website TheMoveChannel.com, said that the outlook for the emirate's property market remains uncertain.

UK customers have been advised to avoid the risk of Christmas parcels arriving late at overseas destinations by sending cash gifts via money transfer instead.

Using money transfer services to make international payments also often works out as cheaper than bank transfers, the Daily Mail reported.

The pound has held on to the sharp gains made against other currencies yesterday (December 1st), in good news for Britons hoping to make international money transfers.

Sterling had risen by a further 0.5 per cent against the dollar to $1.668 by mid-afternoon, building on yesterday's high of $1.665.

UK customers have been advised to avoid the risk of Christmas parcels arriving late at overseas destinations by sending cash gifts via money transfer instead.

Using money transfer services to make international payments also often works out as cheaper than bank transfers, the Daily Mail reported.

House prices in most countries are continuing to fall, potentially making emigration a more attractive option for Brions.

Richard Way, a property expert and editor of A Place in the Sun Magazine, advised people currently considering foreign property buys to "grab a bargain".