Foreign currency exchange inequalities have been flagged up by the French president.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Nicolas Sarkozy blamed the world's "currency regime" for its role in the recent global economic crisis.

Sterling vs. dollar currency exchange rates have fallen following the release of data concerning the US economy.

The pound dropped from a steady rate of $1.615 to the pound down to a day's low of $1.61 at 13:00GMT today (January 29th).

This coincided with the release of economic growth data from the US.

Figures from the US Commerce Department showed a growth rate of 5.7 per cent in the economy during the fourth quarter of 2009.

The increase was higher than expected - economists from a survey by MarketWatch had previously suggested a growth of 5.4 per cent, while Reuters thought the number could have been as low as 4.6 per cent.

Despite the positive end to the year for the dollar, 2009 still saw the US economy decline at the largest rate since 1946 with an overall fall of 2.4 per cent across the year.

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Posted by Eleanor Ward

Sterling vs. dollar currency exchange rates have fallen following the release of data concerning the US economy.

The pound dropped from a steady rate of $1.615 to the pound down to a day's low of $1.61 at 13:00GMT today (January 29th).

This coincided with the release of economic growth data from the US.

Figures from the US Commerce Department showed a growth rate of 5.7 per cent in the economy during the fourth quarter of 2009.

The increase was higher than expected - economists from a survey by MarketWatch had previously suggested a growth of 5.4 per cent, while Reuters thought the number could have been as low as 4.6 per cent.

Despite the positive end to the year for the dollar, 2009 still saw the US economy decline at the largest rate since 1946 with an overall fall of 2.4 per cent across the year.

Click here to find out how much you can save with HiFX's Foreign Exchange services

Posted by Eleanor Ward

An expat lifestyle can make a person 'more intelligent' according to a major Chinese newspaper.

A Chinese national who spent many years abroad in Australia, Helen Zhang, believes that living abroad encourages people to expand their knowledge.

Writing for China Daily, Ms Zhang said that life in a foreign country offered opportunities to explore the nation's history, economy and culture while "meeting many colourful characters one would not have otherwise met".

Her comments followed a conversation with an Australian living in Beijing who tended to focus on the negative aspects of living abroad.

Pointing out the many benefits, Ms Zhang added: "Research has found that living an expatriate life stretches our brain.

"It stimulates creative ideas and also makes life more interesting, as we see new images, new people and have new experiences."

The 'Brits Abroad' study carried out by the Institute for Public Policy Research in 2006, found that China was becoming a more popular destination for Britons, with around 36,000 choosing to set up home in the country.

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Posted by Thomas Smith

Favourable currency exchange rates have been listed among reasons the US could prove to be a good option for Britons looking to move abroad.

The state Florida in particular was tipped as a property hotspot for Britons by the director of Winkworth International.

Favourable currency exchange rates have been listed among reasons the US could prove to be a good option for Britons looking to move abroad.

The state Florida in particular was tipped as a property hotspot for Britons by the director of Winkworth International.

Foreign currency exchange rates mean that Britons who need to access their money abroad could be paying more than necessary, a new survey has suggested.

Research from international bank Santander demonstrates that Britons abroad tend to use cash rather than cheaper alternative methods.

Foreign currency exchange rates mean that Britons who need to access their money abroad could be paying more than necessary, a new survey has suggested.

Research from international bank Santander demonstrates that Britons abroad tend to use cash rather than cheaper alternative methods.

French property is once again proving popular with people looking to buy property abroad.

A strong exchange rate and low interest rates on French mortgages will encourage more people to buy into the French property market, Easier.com has suggested.

French property is once again proving popular with people looking to buy property abroad.

A strong exchange rate and low interest rates on French mortgages will encourage more people to buy into the French property market, Easier.com has suggested.

International money transfers could increase as investors look towards ever improving emerging markets for property.

As figures released yesterday (Wednesday January 27th) revealed that global commercial property investment is improving, investors could be making more international money transfers in order to benefit from the best property markets.

International money transfers could increase as investors look towards ever improving emerging markets for property.

As figures released yesterday (Wednesday January 27th) revealed that global commercial property investment is improving, investors could be making more international money transfers in order to benefit from the best property markets.

Foreign currency exchange markets are particularly volatile at the moment, a report from HSBC has revealed.

The main source of volatility is coming from the US, where the Federal Reserve is facing a massive overhaul bringing with it uncertainty in trading.

Foreign currency exchange markets are particularly volatile at the moment, a report from HSBC has revealed.

The main source of volatility is coming from the US, where the Federal Reserve is facing a massive overhaul bringing with it uncertainty in trading.

Sterling fell rapidly yesterday (Tuesday January 26th) following a lower than expected growth in gross domestic product (GDP) in the UK.

At the time of the release of the figures, around 09:30GMT, sterling plummeted from $1.625 to the pound down to $1.61.

A Conservative win in the forthcoming general election could lead to "further gains" in sterling.

David Page, an economist at Investec Securities, has predicted that a "Tory majority at the next election…could push sterling towards the 84 pence mark [against the euro]".

People interested in moving money abroad in order to invest in property could be tempted by the Dominican Republic.

An international property website has suggested that the island could offer good investment opportunities in the low-to-mid range budget.

People looking to make an international money transfer and invest in emerging markets abroad, could be interested to read Ignis Management's predictions for 2010.

In the company's publication, Hexam, Ignis has described China as one of the best emerging economies for investment.

People looking to make an international money transfer and invest in emerging markets abroad, could be interested to read Ignis Management's predictions for 2010.

In the company's publication, Hexam, Ignis has described China as one of the best emerging economies for investment.

During times of recession, people who are still looking to make an international money transfer and buy property abroad tend to look towards the established markets.

This is according to Paul Collins, editor at BuyAssociation.com, who has called the trend a "flight to safety".

During times of recession, people who are still looking to make an international money transfer and buy property abroad tend to look towards the established markets.

This is according to Paul Collins, editor at BuyAssociation.com, who has called the trend a "flight to safety".

Securities.

Sterling's recent period of buoyancy doesn't look set to last if comments from economist David Page are to be believed.

Mr Page said: "Sterling has got an uncertain future over the next few months because of the uncertainty of the election. We wouldn't be too surprised to see sterling at least at these levels, or possibly weaker still."

Securities.

Sterling's recent period of buoyancy doesn't look set to last if comments from economist David Page are to be believed.

Mr Page said: "Sterling has got an uncertain future over the next few months because of the uncertainty of the election. We wouldn't be too surprised to see sterling at least at these levels, or possibly weaker still."

Expatriates living in Spain have been advised to take out health insurance as they may not be eligible for free care.

According to Shelter Offshore, expatriates under the age of retirement (60 for women, 65 for men) who move to Spain but do not intend on working, are not eligible for free health care in the European country.

Expatriates living in Spain have been advised to take out health insurance as they may not be eligible for free care.

According to Shelter Offshore, expatriates under the age of retirement (60 for women, 65 for men) who move to Spain but do not intend on working, are not eligible for free health care in the European country.

The majority of people are planning to embark on a round-the-world trip at some point in their lives, which means they will have to be clued up on foreign currency exchange rates.

Some 61 per cent of respondents to an intotheblue.co.uk survey said they are intending to travel around the world, with destinations in Australia and South America proving the most popular.

Japan is an attractive place to live for people from the UK and North America, but there is still work to be done.

This is the opinion of Hidesato Sakakibara, who wrote in The Japan Times that more people from the US are emigrating to the far eastern country thanks to its "knack for survival".

Expatriates living in Spain may be able to improve contact with their British friends and family through cheap flights.

A flight industry expert has highlighted the temptations which Spain offers to Britons and reinforced the importance of providing cheap flights.

Sterling's exchange rate enjoyed a brief period of good trading against the dollar as the latest UK unemployment figures showed that benefit claims in December fell by 15,200.

The pound reached a high against the dollar of $1.63 to the pound at around 11:00GMT this morning (January 20th).

Food loving Britons considering a move abroad may be tempted by Japan following new praise for the country's restaurants.

A Michelin guide has been published in the UK praising two of the country's major cities, Kyoto and Osaka.

Currency exchange markets could be all change for sterling as one of the UK's largest money management firms has warned that the pound's AAA rating is "extremely vulnerable".

In a note issued to investors, Standard Life's investment director Paul Laing, blamed the risky state of the currency on a "highly toxic" mix of economics and politics.

British entrepreneurs are considering moving away from the UK to countries with more favourable tax rates for successful businesses.

Research from Investec and the Entrepreneurs' Organisation (EO) has demonstrated that only 17 per cent of entrepreneurs believe that the UK is an attractive place to launch new business.

The euro's presence in currency exchange markets is still suffering from Greece's weak fiscal policy.

Greece's troubled economy is continuing to pull down the single European currency, which dropped to a value of less than 87 pence for one euro at 10:00GMT today (January 18th).

Sterling has reached a four-month-high against the euro and held gains on the dollar.

One pound traded at a high of €1.134 today (January 15th) at 14:00GMT as negative reports concerning Greece's debt situation dragged the euro down.

Finland is encouraging expatriates to relocate to the Nordic country.

The Finnish business organisation, EVA, is reportedly looking to improve the social aspects of the country in order to make the move more appealing to foreign business people.

Dubai can still offer sound investment opportunities for people looking to make an international money transfer and buy property abroad.

An international property agent has said that while Dubai is going through a "period of adjustment", it can offer "commercial sector opportunities to secure a position in Dubai at very good prices".

Sterling secured its position against the dollar this morning (January 14th) when it again continued its four-week high of just over $1.63 to the pound at 13:00GMT.

The currency also traded well against the euro, with one pound buying €1.127 at 16:00GMT.

Sterling reached its highest trading figures against the dollar in nearly four weeks, trading at a high of $1.63 dollars to the pound at midday today (January 13th).

The pound has also performed well against the euro with a high of one pound buying almost €1.123.

Interest has increased in the Spanish property market this has not been followed by an increase in sales.

A spokesman for the Spanish Property Owners Guild (SPOG), has said that "boredom" and "curiosity" are behind the increase in traffic to Spanish property websites.

Transferring money abroad and emigrating is becoming an increasingly popular option, as a new survey revealed 34 per cent of Britons hope to emigrate in the next decade.

The majority of people looking to move abroad came from Leicester (43 per cent), the survey from experience day provider Intotheblue.co.uk found.

The pound's worth has been propped up by the latest positive data concerning the UK's trade deficit and housing market.

Released this morning, data from the Office for National Statistics showed that the nation's deficit on trade shrunk towards the end of 2009.

The foreign exchange rate for sterling has risen against the dollar today after poor jobs data was released in the US last week.

Monday (January 11th) saw sterling rise steadily against the dollar, reaching a high of 1.615 dollars to the pound at around 10:00GMT.

People who are considering transferring their money and moving abroad may be tempted by the latest results from the Quality of Life survey.

International Living magazine ranked France as the number one country in its listings which judged the quality of life in 194 countries.

A high foreign exchange rate is expected for the US dollar in the following year according to an economist's predictions.

Reports from Stuart Thomson, an economist at Ignis Asset Management, suggested that the first half of 2010 will see strong growth for America, pushing the dollar up against the Australian dollar, the euro and the yen.

The low currency exchange rate between sterling and the Australian dollar has not put off British property investors in the country.

Property in Australia will cost Britons a third more than it did a year ago, according to a property expert.

Foreign exchange rates and currency markets are likely to be affected this week by the release of jobs data.

The publication of yesterday's (January 6th) ADP employment data has blown a "bit of caution to the wind" for investors, according to a market analyst from City Index.

Foreign exchange imbalances need to be addressed by international co-operation, according to French finance minister Christine Lagarde.

Ms Lagarde told a conference in Paris that the worldwide economic crisis was caused in part by a lack of international financial support, the Dow Jones Newswire reported.

The pound has started the year on a low and looks likely to continue that way for now according to currency trader City Index.

Sterling began the year "underperforming", according to Neil Looker, City Index's chief foreign exchange dealer.

The pound has started the year on a low and looks likely to continue that way for now according to currency trader City Index.

Sterling began the year "underperforming", according to Neil Looker, City Index's chief foreign exchange dealer.

The debate concerning Britain's bankers has reignited suspicion that many banks may move their money and their staff abroad.

In view of heavy UK tax burdens, European countries, such as Switzerland, have been considered by big name financial companies as alternative options to Britain and London in particular.

The debate concerning Britain's bankers has reignited suspicion that many banks may move their money and their staff abroad.

In view of heavy UK tax burdens, European countries, such as Switzerland, have been considered by big name financial companies as alternative options to Britain and London in particular.

British expatriates with sterling in Santander bank accounts will be able to access their funds through the company's ATMs in Spain for free.

The bank has dropped all foreign exchange charges as well as the usual cash handling fee applied to transactions made abroad.

Sterling exchange rates fell against both the dollar and the euro on Tuesday (January 5th).

As momentum builds for the UK general election, worries have increased among investors as to how the country will handle its fiscal deficit.

The possibility of a hung parliament is proving particularly troublesome as analysts believe such a result would prevent strong economic action.

Spanish property value has fallen less than that of its neighbours during the recession but transferring money and moving to Spain remains appealing to Brits

Whilst the country has experienced high unemployment and a lack of quality housing during the economic downturn, Spanish property experts Kyero have said that house prices have not fallen as far as was expected for the country's economic climate.

Britons looking to transfer their money abroad have been warned not to expect a quick recovery in the French property market.

Recent research from French estate agent association FNAIM has shown that despite a 5 per cent fall in 2009 prices when compared to 2008, most people do not think that now is a good time to buy or sell property.

Sterling has risen in value against the dollar this morning peaking close to $1.625.

The rise comes after the British manufacturing sector reported good business which, alongside improved mortgage approval rates, has increased faith in the UK economy.

A strong government is needed to add force to sterling's exchange rate and the UK's economy, according to a leading economist.

Increased government spending has in the past related to favourable exchange rates, explained industry expert Ben Broadbent in the Times.