Trading
Banks compete for e-FX talent
LONDON – Dealers combining technological and sales expertise are in short supply as banks compete to secure staff that can aid their success in the growing online FX market.
Solving investment problems with forex
An asset manager may look to euro/Swiss franc and euro/sterling structures to take advantage of investor uncertainty, says David Durrant, chief currency strategist at Julius Baer Asset Management International in New York
Data sets tone for firmer dollar
NEW YORK – Much stronger than expected economic data from the US last Friday has set the tone for a firmer US dollar this week – potentially putting an end to the nervousness that has kept some clients out of the market in recent days.
Commodities drive client FX
LONDON – Banks are reporting growing business from clients needing structured FX and commodities solutions. The growth of commodity trading adviser (CTA), private banking, hedging and investor interest in FX is helping to boost demand, said bankers in…
What is oil telling us?
The high cost of oil in the US may hit the dollar hard in Q4, says John Taylor, chief investment officer at overlay manager FX Concepts in New York
ERM smooth says HKMA
HONG KONG – Hong Kong’s linked exchange rate mechanism worked "smoothly" last year, although the Hong Kong dollar strengthened "markedly" in Q4, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) said last week.
Political upheaval nears the endgame
The next two to six weeks in Poland will be very important for the medium-term outlook of the Polish zloty and indeed the entire country, says Daniel Katzive, FX strategist at UBS in New York
An average rate option to protect the budget
As euro/dollar continues its descent, Rabobank’s corporate sales desk in Utrecht suggests one way for European corporates to profit from the move
Kemp takes FX helm at Merrill
NEW YORK – Morgan Stanley FX chief Stephen Kemp is set to take on the continued build-up of Merrill Lynch’s forex business, following the resignation of co-head of global FX and rates Michael DeSa.
Volatility helps Reuters return to growth
LONDON – Renewed marketing efforts and continued volatility in the FX market led to a return to growth for Reuters’ dealing business in the first quarter despite fierce competition from EBS and Bloomberg, it said last week.
China hints strongly at yuan peg change
BEIJING – China last week gave its strongest hint yet that the yuan’s peg to the US dollar could be altered sooner rather than later.
Banks draw EU25 battle plans
LONDON – Euro convergence may yet be years away for the 10 new member states joining the European Union (EU) this weekend, but far-sighted banks and brokers are already drawing up their FX battle plans for the new Europe.
RBI under scrutiny as rupee rises
A recent surge in the rupee is prompting debate about the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) forex policy, says Peter Redward at Deutsche Bank in Singapore
How to slash currency conversion rates
A Dual Currency Accumulator Note enables investors to convert currencies at a better rate than would be available in the cash market, writes Andy Kaufmann, head of FX structured products, EMEA, at Merrill Lynch
Central counterparty clearing on the way
LONDON – LCH.Clearnet is planning to launch the first central counterparty clearing service for foreign exchange, in a move that could challenge the role of continuous-linked settlement (CLS).
HSBC names new London chief
LONDON -- HSBC will have a new head of European and Middle Eastern FX in London in early May, when Andrew Brown transfers from Hong Kong to take on the key role.
Time is right for early barrier forwards
The high level of volatility in the market makes this an opportune time for corporates to use early barrier forwards to hedge cable risk, says Barclays Capital’s senior FX structurer in London, James Edwards
HSBC names new London chief
LONDON -- HSBC will have a new head of European and Middle Eastern FX in London in early May, when Andrew Brown transfers from Hong Kong to take on the key role.
Russia shifts focus from dollar to euro
MOSCOW -- The move by Russia’s Central Bank (CBR) to manage the rouble against both the euro and dollar is a step towards the free floating of the currency, but will lead to increased volatility against the US dollar, analysts said last week.
MAS move could pre-empt peg changes
SINGAPORE -- The Monetary Authority of Singapore’s surprise move last week towards a "policy of modest and gradual appreciation" for the Singapore dollar may be a pre-emptive move to counter Asian peg revaluations.
Cashing in on Asia
Asian FX offers abundant opportunities to make money over the next few months. Mike Newton (right), regional FX strategist, HSBC global markets in Hong Kong, suggests potential trade ideas to make the most of the markets
