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How is Pound Sterling performing against the Euro and the Dollar and will the exchange rate hold up? 08
JUL.
How is Pound Sterling performing against the Euro and the Dollar and will the exchange rate hold up?

The last week as been like groundhog day for Pound Sterling. A combination of factors have kept the currency in broadly the same place as it has been in the previous few weeks. Recent economic reports from the US have seen confidence in the dollar grow amoung investors, staving off expected losses against the Euro as focus shifted across the Atlantic. 

The ECB's decision to cut rate expectations and poor euro zone data both meant that sterling held up against the euro in what could have been a terrible week. 

The news that German car manufacturing figures were much lower than expected worked in the pounds favour. The car industry is held up as the barometer of the German economy and therefore the Eurozone as a whole as it's strongest member. 

Away from economic news, politics continues to dominate investors thinking. The conservative party leadership is the main focus for investors as they search for any hint of future UK policy that could have an impact on GBP. 

The fact that is has a further 2 weeks to run until we know the final outcome on who will be the next PM will place further unnecessary pressure as the market looks for certainty most all. 

Can the week ahead see the pound pickup it's lost ground?

All eyes will be on May's GDP figures as everyone looks to see if there was any stagnation in the second quarter of this year. 
The ECB's latest policy meeting minutes will also be released - the thing everyone will be looking for is signs of extra stimulus in the short term. In other words, will the ECB be pumping further money into the Eurozone to boost economic growth. 

There will also be further news from the German car industry later today. However, all focus in the UK remains on the political scene and that all important Tory leadership contest. 

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Holiday Travel Checklist - Everything you need for your trip 31
MAY.

When you're going on holiday, it's easy to forget something or misplace it just before you're about to leave for the airport. 

It's always a good idea to run through a holiday checklist a few days before you leave to make sure you have everything you need. 

We've got the run down on the most common and important items for any holiday:


Essentials

  • Passport
  • Travel insurance – details/documents
  • European Health Insurance Cards (EHIC)
  • Car Hire details documents
  • Visas
  • Booking confirmations and tickets - Hotels, Excursions, Car hire. hard copies of documents stored on your phone in case it's lost.
  • Travel currency - Good idea to have a back up currency card with money loaded on just in case
  • Regular medication, prescriptions, inspect repellent, anti-histamine, travel sickness
  • Toiletries – Sun cream, lip balm, after sun, shampoo, shower gel, toothbrush, toothpaste, moisturiser, razor, roll on deodorant, paracetamol

 

For Toddler/babies

  • Stroller
  • baby food
  • clothing
  • nappies
  • wet wipes
  •  formula milk
  • snacks
  • activity books
  • high factor sun cream

 

Electronics,

  • Mobile phone
  • tablet
  • plug adaptors
  • power strip
  • e-book reader
  • chargers
  • camera
  • headphones

 

Entertainment

  • Family games
  • books
  • pack of cards

 

Beach holidays

  • Flip flops or sandals
  • 2 swimsuits
  • inflatables
  • sunglasses
  • sun hats
  • sun cream

 

Skiing

  • Ski hire details
  • ski clothes
  • ski equipment (or rent them there)
  • walking boots
  • sunglasses
  • sun cream
  • lip balm
  • after sun
  • small rucksack
  • muscle pain relief


Camping

  • Tent
  • sleeping bags
  • portable stove
  • camping chairs
  • warm sleepwear
  • torches
  • pillows
  • waterproofs
  • utensils
  • cutlery
  • washing up bowl and liquid
  • tea towel
  • matches
  • wet wipes

 

Clothes - General

  • Sweatshirt/light jacket for cool evenings
  • Trousers (chinos can be dressed up or down)
  • Comfortable everyday shoes
  • Sun hat
  • Shorts
  • Day tops – tshirts, casual shirts
  • Evening outfits – non crease dresses or shirts
  • Swimwear
  • Underwear – 7 days worth, easily foldable so no need to avoid packing these)
  • Socks x 3 – thick walking socks, and 2 regular
  • Nightwear – pyjamas or usual sleep wear
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