Using conditionals in business writing

[musicgold]

Hi

Which one of the following sentences is more appropriate? Here I want to convey that if we ignore the effect of Fx fluctuations (foreign exchange), same-store sales were up 2%.

1. The negative growth is mainly attributable the strengthening of the Euro throughout 2007. Excluding the Fx effect, same-store sales would have been 2%.

2. The negative growth is mainly attributable the strengthening of the Euro throughout 2007. Excluding the Fx effect, same-store sales would be 2%.

Thanks,

MG.

[Anglika]

I am not sure why you want to use the conditional.

nb "attributable to the strengthening"