Tuesday, July 07, 2009

Smart Daily Currency Note - 7th July 2009

 
Smart Currency Exchange - Daily Currency Rates for Overseas Property Buyers  
Free Daily Inter Bank Currency Exchange Rates 7th July 2009

Currency

Rate

EURO

1.162

US$

1.619

CHF

1.763

CAN$

1.883

AUS$

2.036

Comments: Worries about the UK's debt and the possible downgrading by the credit agencies from it's AAA status resulted in sterling losing ground especially against the US$. The level of UK debt was already high before the crisis and until there is a clear plan of action to reduce the debt we are not going to see sterling have significant upside. The problem seems to be that the Government with an election next year and a Prime Minister with limited authority do not have the will power needed to put in place the unpleasant course of action required. Effectively sterling has lost its attraction as an investment currency.

Note:  All rates are mid market inter bank and indicative at the point of publication. 

To get an initial estimate of the cost of a property simply DIVIDE the price of the property by the appropriate currency rate noted above.



Smart Currency Exchange | 1 Lyric Square | Hammersmith | London | W6 0NB | UK

© 2005-2009 Copyright  Smart Currency Exchange Ltd

THIS PUBLICATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE ADVICE WITHIN THE TERMS OF THE FINANCIAL SERVICES ACT (OR ANY SUBSEQUENT REVISIONS, ADDITIONS, OR AMENDMENTS).

Disclaimer

Exchange rates can move very quickly. The above rates are valid at a moment in time.
Suggestions should not be taken as advice or fact. The market does what it wants to do.  We have no crystal ball and as ever we recommend that if an exchange rate works for your budget then don't try and wait for an even better exchange rate, as Murphy's Law says the rate will go against you and cause you maximum pain!




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Friday, July 03, 2009

Smart Weekly Currency Note - 3rd July 2009

 
  Smart Currency Exchange - Weekly Currency Rates for Overseas Property Buyers  
Weekly Currency Interbank Exchange Rates 3rd July 2009
Currency
Rate Last
Week
Rate This
Week
EURO
1.175
1.167
US$
1.652
1.633
CAN$
1.904
1.896
AUS$
2.045
2.048
NZD
2.558
2.590
AED
6.063
6.001

CHF

1.788
1.774

ZAR(Rand)

13.037
12.911

Charles's Thoughts: In all a frustrating week for sterling investors as Monday started positively with the pound making marginal gains on most major currencies thanks to surprisingly positive figures regarding UK house prices. However, following Tuesday’s much worse-than-expected UK GDP data which showed the largest contraction in the UK economy for over 50 years, the pound started a downward trend which lasted through the week against the US$. Risk aversion played some part in the large losses for sterling as the positive sentiment that had been growing over the last ten or so weeks fell away and reminded us all that we are far from seeing the end of the recession or the economic problems associated with it. Next week we will hear again from the Bank of England after their meeting on interest rates. Once again the expectation is for no change on interest rates but as with recent months it will be the comments from the members of the Monetary Policy Committee and the market reaction to their very cautious tone that may put sterling on the back foot once again.

With little US market data due out in the week, the US$ was subject more to the whim of risk appetite/aversion than any other driving forces. It was also a shortened week in the US with Independence Day falling on Saturday and Friday taken as the bank holiday in lieu. Sharp gains were made against sterling midweek following the poor UK GDP data and the resulting risk-aversion helped the US$ to gains against most other major currencies throughout the week. The important ‘Non-Farm Payroll’ data, which is a much anticipated indicator for US unemployment, was rather disappointing but as already seen in the last few months, this only served to strengthen the US$ thanks to the growing demand for safe haven assets.

The main focus for the Eurozone this week was the European Central Bank’s (ECB) decision on interest rates with the outcome a much expected hold at current levels. The accompanying statements were also familiar to recent months’ meetings with little sign that policy will take any sudden change of direction. The ECB’s outlook for Europe seems to be consistent with recent views that contraction in the Euro-economy will continue throughout 2009 and potentially well into the second half of 2010 seemingly opting for a slow and steady reaction to the rate of decline in productivity. Euro-zone GDP data out next week will almost certainly put the euro under pressure should the result be as disappointing as that of the UK this week.

There was no major news from the high-yield and/or commodity backed currencies this week.

Why is Currency Management So Important? Using a bank could cost you £3-4,000 per £100,000 transferred. Buying at the "wrong" time could cost you many £'000's more as rates can move as much as 3% in a very short period of time. Then add in transfer costs that the banks charge for sending and receiving funds and you could be looking at additional costs of £10,000 per £100,000 transferred. By developing a currency strategy and by working with a specialist currency broker these losses could be minimised if not eliminated.

Smart Client Testimonial: "Thank you for making our transactions go so smoothly. As promised, our account was opened within hours. Your traders were pleasant and efficient, and each transaction was very much at the exchange rate I expected...ie not a million miles away from the inter-bank rates and certainly much better than my high street bank could quote. All in all, an easy experience and we will have absolutely no hesitation in recommending your services to any of our friends buying property abroad." Ian Pritchard

If you haven't opened a Smart account yet, call me on freephone 0808 163 0102 or fill out our online Account Form at: http://www.SmartCurrencyExchange.com/application.htm

How much will a Property Cost? To estimate the cost of a property simply DIVIDE the price of the property by the appropriate rate noted above. But note this is based on the inter bank rate so the actual cost will be slightly more.

Charles Purdy
Charles Purdy


Smart Resources

Currency Strategy Worksheet
Need help creating a Currency Strategy? Download our Currency Strategy Worksheet:
http://www.smartcurrencyexchange.com/downloads/CurrencyStrategyWorksheet.pdf

Currency Report
Have your read our 10-page Currency Report that outlines the top 3 mistakes that overseas buyers make when exchanging and transferring their money overseas? Get the report here:
http://www.SmartCurrencyExchange.com/downloads/ThreeMistakes.pdf

Currency Quotation
Are you interested in a currency rate for Euros, US$'s, CYP, NZD, or any other currency, please fill out our Smart quotation form at: http://www.SmartCurrencyExchange.com/smartquotation.htm


Smart Currency Exchange Limited

   


Smart Currency Exchange | 1 Lyric Square | Hammersmith | London | W6 0NB | UK

© 2005-2009 Copyright  Smart Currency Exchange Ltd

THIS PUBLICATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE ADVICE WITHIN THE TERMS OF THE FINANCIAL SERVICES ACT (OR ANY SUBSEQUENT REVISIONS, ADDITIONS, OR AMENDMENTS).

Disclaimer

Exchange rates can move very quickly. The above rates are the interbank rates and valid at a moment in time. The interbank rate is the rate at which the banks deal with each other in the foreign exchange markets. Suggestions should not be taken as advice or fact. The market does what it wants to do.  We have no crystal ball and as ever we suggest that if an exchange rate works for your budget then don't try and wait for an even better exchange rate, as Murphy's Law says the rate will go against you and cause you maximum trouble!




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Smart Daily Currency Note - 3rd June 2009

 
Smart Currency Exchange - Daily Currency Rates for Overseas Property Buyers  
Free Daily Inter Bank Currency Exchange Rates 3rd July 2009

Currency

Rate

EURO

1.170

US$

1.641

CHF

1.778

CAN$

1.901

AUS$

2.052

Comments: The US unemployment figures announced on Thursday were worse that expected. As I noted yesterday and in a rather perverse way, bad US economic news seems to support the US$ as the markets becomes risk averse and the US$ is viewed as a safe haven asset and therefore in favour. The US$ did gain against the € but sterling held steady. Sterling also gained slightly against the €.

Note:  All rates are mid market inter bank and indicative at the point of publication. 

To get an initial estimate of the cost of a property simply DIVIDE the price of the property by the appropriate currency rate noted above.



Smart Currency Exchange | 1 Lyric Square | Hammersmith | London | W6 0NB | UK

© 2005-2009 Copyright  Smart Currency Exchange Ltd

THIS PUBLICATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE ADVICE WITHIN THE TERMS OF THE FINANCIAL SERVICES ACT (OR ANY SUBSEQUENT REVISIONS, ADDITIONS, OR AMENDMENTS).

Disclaimer

Exchange rates can move very quickly. The above rates are valid at a moment in time.
Suggestions should not be taken as advice or fact. The market does what it wants to do.  We have no crystal ball and as ever we recommend that if an exchange rate works for your budget then don't try and wait for an even better exchange rate, as Murphy's Law says the rate will go against you and cause you maximum pain!




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1 Lyric Square
London, London
W6 0NB
GB


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Thursday, July 02, 2009

Smart Daily Currency Note - 2nd July 2009

 
Smart Currency Exchange - Daily Currency Rates for Overseas Property Buyers  
Free Daily Inter Bank Currency Exchange Rates 2nd July 2009

Currency

Rate

EURO

1.164

US$

1.642

CHF

1.772

CAN$

1.886

AUS$

2.046

Comments: Today we have the unemployment figures from the US. A day early as tomorrow will be a day off in the US for Independence Day. It could be a strange day for the US$ as better than expected figures could well mean we see the US$ fall as risk appetite increases. The opposite with worse than expected figures could see the US$ gain value given its safe haven status. In the last week or so we have seen the release of purchasing managers index from around the world and on the whole these have been positive which seems to indicate that the worst is behind us. Hopefully this is correct although I think the belief that we will see a rapid recovery is only shared by a few. The majority believe it is going to be a slow hard grind to recovery. Sterling had a steady day against the US$ and € after the losses of earlier in the week.

Note:  All rates are mid market inter bank and indicative at the point of publication. 

To get an initial estimate of the cost of a property simply DIVIDE the price of the property by the appropriate currency rate noted above.



Smart Currency Exchange | 1 Lyric Square | Hammersmith | London | W6 0NB | UK

© 2005-2009 Copyright  Smart Currency Exchange Ltd

THIS PUBLICATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE ADVICE WITHIN THE TERMS OF THE FINANCIAL SERVICES ACT (OR ANY SUBSEQUENT REVISIONS, ADDITIONS, OR AMENDMENTS).

Disclaimer

Exchange rates can move very quickly. The above rates are valid at a moment in time.
Suggestions should not be taken as advice or fact. The market does what it wants to do.  We have no crystal ball and as ever we recommend that if an exchange rate works for your budget then don't try and wait for an even better exchange rate, as Murphy's Law says the rate will go against you and cause you maximum pain!




SCE/OGC

1 Lyric Square
London, London
W6 0NB
GB


If you no longer wish to receive communication from us:
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Wednesday, July 01, 2009

Smart Daily Currency Note - 1st July 2009

 
Smart Currency Exchange - Daily Currency Rates for Overseas Property Buyers  
Free Daily Inter Bank Currency Exchange Rates 1st July 2009

Currency

Rate

EURO

1.168

US$

1.643

CHF

1.780

CAN$

1.906

AUS$

2.037

Comments: Sterling went into fast reverse yesterday having started the day so positively. Increased consumer confidence and a survey showing UK housing prices had increased was the reason for the good start to the day with sterling pushing towards 6 month highs against the US$. The about turn came after a downward revision in UK first quarter gross domestic product which showed the actual fall was 2.4%. This was the worse fall since 1958 and took the annual rate in contraction for the economy to a 61 year low of 4.9%. Shows how susceptible sterling still is to bad news with it losing 3 cents against the US$ in the space of a day and how important it is to buy when the rate is good rather than hold out for better.

Note:  All rates are mid market inter bank and indicative at the point of publication. 

To get an initial estimate of the cost of a property simply DIVIDE the price of the property by the appropriate currency rate noted above.



Smart Currency Exchange | 1 Lyric Square | Hammersmith | London | W6 0NB | UK

© 2005-2009 Copyright  Smart Currency Exchange Ltd

THIS PUBLICATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE ADVICE WITHIN THE TERMS OF THE FINANCIAL SERVICES ACT (OR ANY SUBSEQUENT REVISIONS, ADDITIONS, OR AMENDMENTS).

Disclaimer

Exchange rates can move very quickly. The above rates are valid at a moment in time.
Suggestions should not be taken as advice or fact. The market does what it wants to do.  We have no crystal ball and as ever we recommend that if an exchange rate works for your budget then don't try and wait for an even better exchange rate, as Murphy's Law says the rate will go against you and cause you maximum pain!




SCE/OGC

1 Lyric Square
London, London
W6 0NB
GB


If you no longer wish to receive communication from us:
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Weekly Update on GBP, EUR, USD & Commodity-Backed Currencies

Smart Resources

Free Reports - Make sure to collect your copy!
For overseas property buyers: "Why Overseas Property Buyers Lose Money... and how YOU can avoid it" Get the report here!

For anyone relocating from the UK to another country: "How you could save £20,000 when relocating from the UK to any overseas location!" Get the report here!

Currency Quotation
Are you interested in a currency rate for euros, US dollars or any other currency? If so, please fill out our Smart quotation form.

Smart Articles (For Clients & Press)
Read recent articles published in a variety of publications or request information on our Smart Press page.



Disclaimer
Exchange rates can move very quickly. The above rates are valid at a moment in time. We have no crystal ball and we recommend that if an exchange rate works for your budget then don’t wait for an even better exchange rate - Murphy’s Law says the rate will go against you and cause you maximum pain! Suggestions should not be taken as advice or fact.

© 2005-2010 Copyright Smart Currency Exchange Ltd THIS PUBLICATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE ADVICE WITHIN THE TERMS OF THE FINANCIAL SERVICES ACT (OR ANY SUBSEQUENT REVISIONS, ADDITIONS, OR AMENDMENTS).