11/18/2008: "Update to AP (Associated Press) Stylebook"

The following update just came out from The Associated Press (AP) Stylebook.

Editor's Note: An entry on currency conversions has been added to say that conversions are necessary in stories that use non-U.S. currency to make clear for readers how a number translates into dollars. Conversions should be used sparingly and preferably not in the lead unless it's a significant part of the story.

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currency conversions

Currency conversions are necessary in stories that use non-U.S. currency to make clear for readers how a number translates into dollars. But conversions should be used sparingly and preferably not in the lead unless it's a significant part of a story. A conversion is generally needed only the first time a currency is mentioned. The reader can make the necessary conversions after that.

Do not convert amounts that are not current because exchange rates change over time.
When conversions are needed, use the $ sign to report U.S. dollar amounts and the € sign for euros.

Examples:
LONDON (AP) - BT Group PLC, Britain's largest phone company, on Thursday reported quarterly earnings rose 18 percent but said it would slash 6,000 more jobs by March to keep costs down and maintain its profits.

Net profit for the three months to Sept. 30 was 400 million pounds ($595 million), compared with 339 million pounds a year earlier, when profits were hit by a 232 million-pound one-time restructuring charge. Restructuring charges this year were 72 percent lower at just 65 million pounds.

PARIS (AP) - Airbus parent company EADS said Friday it rebounded to a profit in the third quarter thanks to lower costs for restructuring and fewer delays to aircraft programs. But it warned that continued setbacks in production of its military transporter will make achieving its full-year target challenging.

European Aeronautic Defence & Space Co. NV made a net profit of €679 million ($850 million) in the July-September period, compared with a €776 million loss a year ago.

For all other currencies, following the amount, spell out the name of the currency followed in parentheses by the equivalent in U.S. dollars. Japan approved a 1.8 trillion yen ($18 billion) extra budget to partially finance an economic stimulus package.

When dealing with a dollar currency of a country other than the United States, use the following abbreviations before the amount on second and subsequent references:

AU$ Australian dollars
CA$ Canadian dollars
SG$ Singapore dollars
NZ$ New Zealand dollars
HK$ Hong Kong dollars
NT$ New Taiwan dollars
ZW$ Zimbabwe dollars

Treasurer Wayne Swan approved a 16 billion Australian dollar ($10.74 billion) deal. Swan said AU$8 billion would be reserved for capital expenditure.