Trading
FXCM's three-pronged approach
Forex Capital Markets (FXCM) has topped the three-month forecast using a combination of fundamental, technical and market indicators in its analysis, said chief strategist in New York, Kathy Lien.
SG CIB rolls out cross-asset research
PARIS – Société Générale Corporate & Investment Banking (SG CIB) has introduced cross-asset research to meet demand for information resulting from the increased correlation and interaction between asset classes from investors.
Saxo loyal to bearish view
Saxo Bank tops the three-month index for the fourth consecutive week, thanks to its continued bearish dollar outlook, said John Hardy, FX strategist at Saxo in Copenhagen.
Volkswagen hit by strong euro
WOLFSBURG – Volkswagen (VW) took an e800 million exchange rate hit to operating profits in 2004, with US sales dealt a significant blow from the strong euro.
FXall breaks $35 billion barrier
NEW YORK – FXall, the online FX trading platform, has announced daily trading volumes have for the first time exceeded $35 billion.
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…
Asia shies away from dollar bloc
Basel – Asian currencies are not trading as a dollar bloc, said the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) in its quarterly review last week.
EBS opens to investor community
LONDON – EBS is launching its buy-side offering this week following a successful pilot with nine banks that has been running since November.
Further fraud allegations from CFTC
WASHINGTON, DC – The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has charged another firm for defrauding customers using a forex scam.
Buy-side access to hit banks
NEW YORK & LONDON – The race to arm buy-side players with direct trading access to sell-side foreign exchange platforms will hit bank FX desks, said market players.
Norway looks to higher prices
The Norwegian government is pursuing policies to drive prices higher while expressing a desire for a weaker currency, says Neil Mellor, currency strategist at Bank of New York in London
Merrill hires two from JP Morgan
LONDON – Merrill Lynch has again boosted its EMEA FX team with the hire of Richard Longmore and Sandra Brown from US rival JP Morgan.
RBC in latest rogue trade scandal
LONDON – Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) is understood to have suspended three staff following an unlawful trade on the New Zealand dollar.
Saxo Bank’s profits soar
COPENHAGEN – Saxo Bank has posted record pre-tax profits for the fourth consecutive year, at Dkr161 million ($28.35 million) for 2004, up 144% over 2003.
Avecia uses RBSFiX for huge deal
MANCHESTER – Avecia, a UK-based speciality chemicals company, has transacted a €495 million foreign exchange deal over the RBS FiX electronic trading system provided by the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS).
HSBC posts strong year for forex
LONDON – HSBC posted a strong year for foreign exchange in 2004, with dealing profits totalling US$1.8 billion, up from US$1.2 billion the previous year.
Room for all providers
Contrary to much opinion in the market, Mark Warms, global sales and marketing director at FXall, says there is space in the market for all liquidity providers. He argues that hedge funds present an opportunity for the FX community
Lebanese pound under pressure
BEIRUT – The Lebanese authorities have spent up to $2 billion supporting the country’s currency following the upheaval caused by the assassination of the country’s former prime minister.
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…
JPMorgan rolls out EM carry-to-risk model
LONDON – JP Morgan has rolled out a model that analyses risk-adjusted returns on emerging market currency positions.
US investment banks top bonus pay
NEW YORK AND LONDON – FX staff at US investment banks have been awarded some of the highest bonuses in the industry.
Apax acquires Travelex
LONDON – Apax Partners, the private equity group, has agreed to buy a majority stake in Travelex, the forex company, for £1,055 billion.