1.   Higher interest rates help the pound by making deposits and bonds denominated in it more appealing to global investors.

2.   Higher U.K. rates help the pound by making sterling-denominated deposits and bonds more appealing to global investors.

3.   Higher oil prices help the pound because Britain is a major oil producer.

4.   Higher rates help the pound by increasing the returns on U.K. deposits.

5.   That often helps the pound by making deposits there more attractive.

6.   The regulatory heat has helped pound down AOL and Time Warner stock prices.

7.   Valentin, who had two doubles, a two-run homer and four RBIs to help pound the Astros on Friday, took offense to the inside pitch.

8.   It also noted that British economic growth and expectations of a rise in British interest rates are helping the pound.

9.   That might help the pound and hurt the stocks.

10.   A fall in the British trade deficit also helped the pound, analysts said.