Archived posts for July 2010

International money transfers are not the only thing to have helped expatriates in recent years.

New technologies, such as internet-based telephone systems, are proving to be increasingly popular among expatriates who are keen to keep in touch with their families without spending exorbitant amounts on phone bills.

The currency exchange rate for the dollar has seen poor results recently.

Yesterday (July 29th), the currency exchange rate reached its lowest level in nearly three months.

The currency exchange rate between sterling and the US dollar has reached a five-month high.

Following somewhat cautious comments from the Bank of England governor Mervyn King, there has been concern among investors that the pound would drop.

Mr King said that the UK economy still contains risks and monetary policy could go up or down.

However, Michael Hewson at CMC Markets explained to Reuters that the pound is still seen as attractive.

"People are more comfortable holding sterling because the economic data out of the UK has been much more positive than the data we've seen out of the US," he said.

"On the last few occasions when King has spoken it has sent the pound lower, but this time it didn't, which tells you the market is happy being long of sterling."

Sterling was trading against the dollar at $1.56 this morning (July 29th) at 08:00 BST.

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A good deal on currency exchange rates could help people who are struggling to afford their holiday this year.

According to recent research conducted by GfK NOP, 38 per cent of Britons are actively trying to spend less on their holiday this year.

International money transfers to Florida could be on the rise as it has been suggested that the state is particularly popular with overseas property buyers.

Adam Samuel, director at Nubricks.com, said that despite fluctuations in the US property market, Florida was still seeing some action, "certainly from foreign buyers".

Sterling's currency exchange rate has been lifted by the latest retail results.

Published by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), the figures revealed that high street sales in July "exceeded expectations".

The currency exchange value of the pound could be hit if consumer confidence in the UK's coinage continues to fall.

A report in the Daily Telegraph has revealed that there is �41 million worth of fake �1 coins in circulation.

Profits for the hotel industry in Europe have been affected by currency exchange rates.

The latest STR Global report for Europe revealed that average daily rates (ADRs) in terms of US dollars declined by 8.4 per cent year-over-year in June 2010.

The currency exchange rate for sterling has been lifted by the results of the recent stress tests.

Conducted by the Committee of European Banking Supervisors, the stress tests looked at the financial security of 91 banks.

International money transfers to emerging economies could be of benefit to property investors.

According to the latest Global Property Survey from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (Rics), emerging economies including South America, Asia and eastern Europe are outperforming the UK and the eurozone when it comes to real estate.

International money transfers to France could prove popular with people looking for an environmentally-friendly home.

A new eco-friendly property development has been launched in the La Camargue nature reserve and national park.

People travelling within the eurozone could benefit from improved currency exchange rates, it has been suggested.

John McEwan, chairman of ABTA the Travel Association, said: "With prices having fallen in the eurozone and an improved exchange rate on last year, holidaymakers will get a pleasant surprise when they arrive in resort and head for local restaurants and bars."

The currency exchange rate for sterling has received a boost off the back of recent data.

Released by the Office for National Statistics today (July 23rd), the latest GDP figures revealed that the UK economy grew by 1.1 per cent in the second quarter of the year.

The currency exchange rate for the pound could be of benefit to some expatriates.

Expatriate advice website Shelter Offshore has highlighted the fact that Britons who are living abroad and earning in a foreign currency are likely to have "greater buying power" due to the fact that "most currencies are stronger than the pound".

Holiday makers could benefit from ensuring that they organise their foreign currency exchange before arriving at the airport.

This is according to Sarah Munro, head of travel money at the Post Office.

Making an international money transfer to France could be of benefit to people who are looking to retire somewhere quiet and peaceful.

According to the expatriate advice website Shelter Offshore, the European country offers the "perfect country for those who want a quiet life where there is little in the way of stress caused by location or infrastructure issues".

The currency exchange rate on the pound has reached a seven-week low against the euro.

Sterling bought �1.17, while against the dollar it dropped from last week's high of $1.54 to trade at close to $1.52.

Currency exchange rates for the pound have boosted retail sales in London, recent figures from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) - KPMG London Retail Sales Monitor have suggested.

The capital saw sales in June rise by 14.4 per cent on a like-for-like basis compared with last year.

An international money transfer to Turkey could help people who are looking to purchase a cheap property on the Mediterranean cost.

According to expatriate advice website Shelter Offshore, the country is one of several where Brits can pick up a place in the sun without the price tag attached to properties in France and Spain.

Currency exchange rates for the euro may prove of particular interest to the UK as the possibility of joining the single currency remains under debate.

Andrew Goodwin, senior economist with Oxford Economics, has suggested that the UK could come into difficulties concerning the central bank's interest rate, if the country were to join the eurozone.

International money transfers to France could help people from the UK beat the recent hike in prices.

Property in various major French cities rose in price by around 2.5 per cent over the first quarter of the year, according to the French Chamber of Notaries.

Sterling's currency exchange rate rose to a two-and-a-half-month high against the dollar yesterday (July 15th).

The increase followed an announcement from the US Federal Reserve, which revised down the forecast growth for the US economy by 0.2 per cent to a range of between three and 3.5 per cent.

Currency exchange rates for the euro could one day apply to the UK as business leaders have suggested that the country should join the single currency.

The BBC recently contacted eight senior business figures to discover their opinion on joining the euro.

International money transfers to Australia could be on the rise as interest in the country appears to be growing.

According to a recent report from the BBC, the city of Brisbane is becoming particularly popular with people from Britain who are keen to move abroad.

Currency exchange rates may become important to graduates who are considering working abroad.

According to recent figures from the Higher education Statistics Agency, around ten per cent of graduates from 2009 have failed to find work over the past year.

International money transfers could help Britons to keep more of their tax rebate if they were caught out in Spain.

The Mediterranean country illegally charged Britons selling property between 1997 and 2006 more than twice the normal rate of capital gains tax.

There could be an increase in the number of people making international money transfers to South Africa to purchase property in the country following the successful 2010 World Cup.

Prior to the tournament, there were concerns about whether South Africa was up to the job of hosting such a major sporting event, with critics pointing to inadequacies in its infrastructure.

There could be an increase in the number of people making international money transfers to South Africa to purchase property in the country following the successful 2010 World Cup.

Prior to the tournament, there were concerns about whether South Africa was up to the job of hosting such a major sporting event, with critics pointing to inadequacies in its infrastructure.

The currency exchange rate for the euro is suffering against the dollar and the pound.

Concerns regarding eurozone banking stress tests are thought to be affecting the currency, the Financial Times reported.

Friends and family of expatriates could find it cheaper to stay in touch with their friends who are living abroad as a new mobile phone offer has been launched.

Service provider T-Mobile is to offer its pay as you go customers free weekend credit to make overseas calls.

Foreign investors are showing an increasing interest in the German residential market, it has been suggested.

International money transfers to Germany could help those who are interested in taking advantage of the "riskier" market in the European country.

Sterling has experienced a drop in its currency exchange rate against the major currencies. 

The pound fell against the dollar this morning to trade at $1.498 at 08:45 BST. 

Meanwhile, the British currency also took a dip against the euro to stand at €1.191. 

Recent improvements in foreign exchange rates could prompt those considering buying overseas property to delay their purchase.

This is the view of Robin Wilson, head of overseas at Rightmove.co.uk, who said some potential buyers may "sit it out" in the hope of securing better rates.

The value of the pound against the dollar eased today (July 8th) as the Bank of England decided to keep interest rates on hold for another month.

Sterling hit a two-month high against the US currency, but later dropped to around $1.514.

Eurozone countries could fall into a deep recession if the European Monetary Union (EMU) were to be broken up.

This is the warning of the Dutch bank ING, which said that output across the affected nations would drop by between five and nine per cent in the first year if such an event were to happen.

A professor at the University of Toronto has suggested that Canada needs higher levels of immigration - a remark that could encourage people to make international money transfers to the country.

In an essay in the magazine Global Brief, Irvin Studin said boosting Canada's population from 34 million to 100 would help the country to become a "proper world power" on the global stage.

The prize fund for the 150th British Open golf tournament has been boosted by foreign exchange rates.

Whoever win's this year's event will take home a total of £850,000. This is £100,000 more than the prize fund for the last three championships.

UK manufacturers have seen their export sales increase thanks to favourable foreign exchange rates.

According to the latest figures from the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), sales were up by 11 points to 31 per cent in the second quarter of the year.

Substantial fluctuations in foreign exchange rates could damage global economies, the vice-governor of China's central bank has warned.

Hu Xiaolian said "certain flexibility" in exchange rates can be a good thing.

Britons living overseas are typically well-educated, young and highly-skilled, a new report suggests.

The paper, which has been compiled by the Institute of Public Policy Research, has noted that such is the professional and educational quality of Britons moving abroad, the country is now suffering from something of a 'brain drain'.

British expats living overseas may be using international money transfers to send billions of pounds back to the UK from abroad.

According to the latest research carried out by Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), recent developments in foreign currency exchange rates has led to fewer Britons looking to 'retire to the sun'.