The euro was trading traded at $1.3329, up from $1.3238 in North American trade late Thursday.

The U.K. pound strengthened against the dollar after British opinion polls showed Conservative party leader David Cameron won the final debate before next week’s election, increasing prospects for a majority government.

The pound gained 0.3 percent to $1.5360 in morning London trading.

The euro was at $1.3218, up from $1.3203 late Wednesday.

The U.K. pound climbed against the U.S. dollar after official data showed that the number of American workers filing new applications for unemployment insurance fell less than expected last week.

GBP/USD hit a daily high of $1.5281 following the release of the U.S. Labor Department report.

EUR/USD was at $1.3143, its weakest point since April 2009.

In early trading, the British pound plunged to near a 3-week low against the dollar as the noted downgrades of Greek and Portugal debt sent shock waves in the market.

GBP/USD was trading near a 3-week low of $1.5160, with $1.480 seen as the next downside target level.

EUR/USD dropped 0.68% to hit $1.3291, approaching the one-year low of $1.3201 of last Friday.

GBP/USD hit $1.5482 in early trading, close to a 7-day high.

The euro rebounded from an 11-month low near $1.32 versus the dollar and extended a gain in Asian trading, and is now at $1.3334, down from $1.3377 in North American trade late Friday.

The U.K. tested the highs of the month around $1.55 and subsequently was pushed lower.The currency held form on weekend polls that seem to hold out the possibility of a Tory plurality in the up-coming elections.

The single currency rose 0.4% versus the dollar to $1.3271.

The pound declined against the U.S. dollar after the U.K. released its first quarter GDP showing that the nation expanded by 0.2% after it was growing by 0.4% in the fourth quarter of 2009 while it was expected to keep that growing rate. The GBP/USD is currently trading at $1.5304.

On the ECSE, the RGSM auctioned an oversubscribed 91-day EC$20 million Treasury Bill for the Government of St. Vincent & the Grenadines. Bidding closed at 4.75%.

The IMF has issued a report stating that the Caribbean and Latin America have weathered the global downturn comparatively well and are now recovering at a robust pace. The region is expected to grow by an average of 4% this year, as well as next year. However, weak external demand for tourism, and lower remittances are impeding growth in a number of economies.

TRINIDAD

On the TTSE, all three Indexes advanced, with the Cross Listed Index gaining the most, closing up 0.57%. Overall Market activity resulted from the trading in 22 stocks, of which four advanced, three declined and fifteen traded firm. The advancers were led by a 14.85% increase in NCB Jamaica Ltd's price, while Prestige Holdings Ltd, closing down 12.5%, led the decliners.

In other news, Trinidad's Central Bank reports that the Government's TT$794 million 5.95% fixed rate bond issue was oversubscribed by TT$422 million. Due to the overwhelming response, the bond was allotted at a premium, with a clearing price of $101.81, offering investors a yield to maturity of 5.75%.

JAMAICA

On the JSE, market volume amounted to 41.1 million units with a market capitalization of over J$372.8 million. Jamaica Money Market Brokers was the volume leader with 24.31%, followed by Scotia Group Jamaica Ltd. Market activity resulted from the trading in 39 stocks, with an advance:decline ratio of 18:7. All three of the major indexes advanced.

The Jamaican Finance Minister, Audley Shaw, has revealed that his government does not plan to introduce any new taxes over the next two years, in an effort to allay the fears of some Jamaicans. This period covers the term of the IMF agreement with the country. Mr. Shaw said that the medium-term focus will be on tax compliance and widening the tax net. Proposed amendments to the Tax Act will introduce stricter penalties for non-compliance.

INTERNATIONAL

On the international front, U.S. stocks rose, with the S&P 500 climbing 2.1%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.7%, with earnings topping analyst estimates. This resulted in the market rebounding from the losses we reported in last week's broadcast, following the announcement of the Securities and Exchange Commission's lawsuit against the Goldman Sachs Group.

The U.S. dollar advanced against the yen for the first time in three weeks, on evidence of a global economic recovery, including a surge in the U.S. housing market. The euro touched its weakest level in almost a year against the U.S. dollar, a result of a European Union and International Monetary Fund bailout request by Greece.

In late morning trading the euro bought $1.3357, down slightly from $1.3389 the night before in New York trading.

In other trading, the British pound rose to US$1.5403 from US$1.5398, hitting a 4-day high ahead of the release of key data on the U.K. retail sector and British public sector net borrowing.

The euro is at $1.3376 from $1.3445.

The British pound gained after the number of U.K. jobless benefit claimants fell more than the market anticipated last month, by 32,900 rather than the 10,000 expected. Some observers also feel that the downside risks to the economy have eased.

The British pound is at $1.5388 from $1.5372.