P247 CEEFAX 247  Fri 29 Dec  01:49/00
     
       FOREX REPORT CLOSE   
     TR
 
 Stop-loss buying in thin trading       
 magnified dollar gains as the forix    
 waited for a US budget agreement.      
                                        
 At 1730 it was quoted at DM 1.4385 and,
 in terms of sterling, $1.5441, against 
 1.4310 and 1.5605 at Friday's close.   
                                        
 Dealers said that until the budget     
 talks reached an amicable conclusion,  
 the dollar would remain range-bound.   
                                        
 £ Opg 83.6 1100 83.3 1400 83.4 Wed     
  0900 83.6 1200 83.4 1500 83.3 Cls     
  1000 83.5 1300 83.4  Cls 83.4 83.6    
                                        
 NY Cls (Thu) $-£ 1.5480 $-DM 1.4380    
                                        
   Headlines 201        Currencies 250  
 Exchanges £/$ Major £/$ Minor Tourist £