The U.K. pound is trading in the $1.55480-$1.5500 range. The currency had dipped in the wake of the immediate reaction to U.K. televised debates that judged Liberal Democrats Nick Clegg as the winner, reinforcing fears of a hung parliament. However, the pound sterling bounced back in morning trading.

EUR/USD hit $1.3521 during midday European trading, its lowest since last Friday.

The UK pound halted its decline against the U.S. dollar, ahead of a flurry of key data on unemployment claims, the manufacturing sector and foreign purchases of U.S. Treasury debt.

GBP/USD rose from a daily low of $1.5385 to reach $1.5435.

EUR/USD gained 0.24% to hit $1.3646 after the European Union's statistics agency said industrial production in the 16-nation region rose in February 0.9%, after a 1.6% increase in January. Analysts had expected more modest growth of 0.2% in February.

The dollar also slipped versus the pound, with GBP/USD advancing 0.43% to hit $1.5447.

Reportedly, the rate on any loans to Greece would be significantly cheaper than what the country can currently borrow given poor market sentiment and the country's diminished credit rating. Industry experts are therefore not sure that the country's financial troubles are behind it.

The euro slipped back from the start of the Asian session, dropping to a low of $1.3500 after an initial attempt to rebound through $1.3600 faltered.

The UK pound slipped against the U.S. dollar as Britain's opposition Conservative Party was set to launch its election manifesto and ahead of reports being released on the United States/Britain trade balances.

GBP/USD hit 1.536 during early European trade,

Under the agreement, euro-zone nations will provide up to EUR30 billion for the country in the first year of any support programs. Greece would pay an interest rate of around 5% for a three-year loan program, well below the interest rate of more than 7% on Greek sovereign debt last week.

Meanwhile, the dollar was down versus the pound, with GBP/USD advancing 0.15% to hit 1.5394, as the ruling Labor party vowed to foster Britain's fragile economic recovery if it is elected for a fourth term in office.

The euro was at $1.3653 in early trading.

In RGSM news, the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines will be auctioning a 91-day EC$20 million Treasury bill issue on Monday 19th April 2010. The maximum discount rate for this issue is 5.82%. Investors can participate in this issue by placing a minimum bid of EC$5000.

TRINIDAD
Over in Trinidad, both the composite and All-TT index posted gains for the week. Market volume amounted to 55000 units valued at approximately TT$5.4 million. Overall market activity resulted from trading in 20 stocks of which 17 traded firm. The advance: decline ratio was 2 to 1. National Enterprises emerged volume leader followed by JMMB - the two accounted for 74% of the week's volume.

In other news, effective June 30th 2010, Grace Kennedy will be delisting its stock from the ECSE and the BSE. The costs of maintaining these listings outweigh the benefits derived from the low levels of trading in its stock as less than 2% of its stock holdings are registered on these exchanges. Stockholders affected by this can request a physical stock certificate or transfer their holdings to the Trinidad & Tobago Central Securities Depository or the Jamaica Central Securities Depository.

JAMAICA
The major three indices on the JSE closed in negative territory as over 10 million units valued at J$91 million crossed the floor of the exchange. Of the 33 stocks which traded, advancers outnumbered decliners 16 to 9 while another 8 traded firm. Capital & Credit Financial Group, Desnoes & Geddes, and Mayberry Investments were the top three traded companies.

BARBADOS
Trading activity increased on the BSE as over 475000 shares changed ownership. Eight (8) equity securities recorded trading activity for the week. There were 4 advancers, 3 decliners, while 1 traded firm. The Insurance Corporation of Barbados led the decliners but still managed to emerge volume leader for a second straight week as it accounted for over 88% of trading activity. The lead advancer, Almond Resorts traded up by 25 cents; a 19% increase over the previous week's closing price.

INTERNATIONAL
On the international front, US stocks posted gains for a sixth week as growth in employment levels and higher-than-estimated retail sales continue to boost the economy.

In currencies news, the dollar depreciated against most of its major traded counterparts spurring demand for commodities and US exports. And the euro continued to weaken due to rising interest rates, while the Canadian dollar strengthened to parity with its U.S. counterpart

Trichet declared that default was "not an issue" for Greece. Greek government bond yields, which had jumped to 11-year highs this week on fears of default and whether Greek banks' would be able to fund themselves, eased back after Trichet's comments.

In early morning trading the euro was at $1.3389, up from $1.3352 versus the dollar in North American trade late Thursday.

Greek government bond yields have escalated due to the premium demanded by investors to continue to hold Greek paper. The cost of insuring Greek debt against default also jumped to a record high.

The euro pared an earlier decline but remained down at $1.3348, from $1.3375 in Thursday trading.

The euro faltered as Greece's borrowing costs jumped following a report, later denied, that Athens wanted to revise a deal providing for an EU and IMF rescue to prevent a default.

In morning trading the euro fell to $1.3357 from $1.3396 late Tuesday.