Structured Products
A cheaper way to take a bearish stance
Ian Stannard, senior currency strategist at BNP Paribas in London, suggests using an anticipated short-term recovery to significantly reduce the cost of entering a longer-term bearish strategy on USD/JPY
New investors spur 2004 forex growth
GREENWICH, CONNECTICUT – An increase in FX trade by almost a quarter last year was largely driven by a new class of professional FX investors.
Options traders top pay bracket
LONDON – UK forex options dealers raked in the largest pay packets this year, with total packages averaging more than £500,000, according to a survey by City-based executive search firm, Napier Scott.
Fade-out zero-cost collar for hedgers
Since the beginning of the year, we have witnessed a EUR/USD spot consolidation below 1.37. Also, the last move from 1.2700 took EUR-USD up to the middle of the range 1.27 / 1.37. Many USD buyers are therefore looking to zero-cost collars, one of the…
Further fraud allegations from CFTC
WASHINGTON, DC – The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has charged another firm for defrauding customers using a forex scam.
A broader view than the yuan
While much attention is focused on a likely shift in the value of China’s currency, Ashish Advani (right), director of risk solutions at Travelex in Toronto, points to a way of hedging against the more imminent risk of free-floating Asian currency…
Cutting the cost of dollar calls
With the USD having hit its lowest levels since the first half of January, Steven Englander, chief FX strategist for the Americas at Barclays Capital, suggests a cost-effective way to position for a dollar rebound
Making the most of fresh yen strength
A fresh bout of yen strength may be imminent. Simon Derrick, head of Bank of New York’s currency strategy team, describes a simple, low-cost strategy for currency overlay managers looking to take advantage of the latest moves
Regional FX investments take off
LONDON -- Sales of investments linked to baskets of regional currencies have taken off as investors search for yields from broad macro themes in Asia and central Europe.
AUD/USD hedge for an uncertain outlook
With an uncertain short-term prognosis for the AUD/USD, Sara Sullivan, senior manager, financial engineering at ANZ Bank in London, explains a structure that offers downside protection against a stronger Aussie while allowing unlimited upside potential…
More options for hedge funds
Options give hedge fund managers a tool to manage spot currency trades outside of leaving simple orders in the market. Jeff Cooper (right), vice-president responsible for sales and structuring of FX options at Bank of Montreal in Toronto, explores this…
Asian ERM debate returns to the fore
HONG KONG -- Calls for an Asian currency regime mirroring the European exchange rate mechanism (ERM) are coming to the fore, as the region’s authorities face mounting pressure to alter their exchange rate policies.
Currency funds taking off
LONDON & COPENHAGEN – Currency funds are coming to the fore, as more players in the FX market launch vehicles to meet investor demand.
Kissing with confidence is key to FX
Keep it structurally simple (Kiss), says Evan Steed, director FX options trading and sales TD Bank Financial Group. This truism is especially appropriate as the greenback faces an uncertain future and regulatory change comes to Canada
The greenback/HK dollar digital deposit
Hong Kong dollar interest rates remain suppressed. Michael Image, FX structurer for Northeast Asia at Standard Chartered shows a way for HK$ depositors to achieve higher interest rates by taking advantage of the fact that US$/HK$ forwards are trading at…
Towards risk-free emerging markets investment
Pete Eggleston, head of quantative solutions at Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), outlines a way of benefiting from the high yields associated with emerging market investing while controlling the inherent risk
Review of 2004 - January: NAB saga starts in earnest
MELBOURNE – The saga of National Australia Bank’s rogue trading scandal came to light on January 13. The bank said it had uncovered losses of up to A$180 million (US$140 million) from unauthorised trading in forex options during the fourth quarter.
Dollar/won move boosts options market activity
HONG KONG -- Volumes in the forex options markets have surged off the back of the rapid move in the dollar/won over recent weeks, say analysts.
Soft knock-in knock-out forward
The soft knock-in knock-out forward presents a new way to look at knock-ins and knock-outs, taking away the negative impact of untimely barrier events says Enrico Ferrante, senior structurer at Calyon in Paris
UBS holds onto pole position
LONDON – UBS is the top-rated bank in FX, according to the 1400 voters in FX Week's 10th annual survey of the market.
Slow start for India's retail FX market
MUMBAI – Nine months after retail investors were given the de facto go-ahead to start forex trading overseas, volumes have been subdued, say analysts.
Protecting against losses while making gains
Given the rapid, one-way move in the Canadian dollar (CAD), many hedgers who are short CAD are looking for innovative hedging ideas. John McAuliffe, manager, US FX options sales at the Bank of Montreal in Chicago, suggests some options