Trading
Sterling -- a call for calm
The market has got so excited about sterling it has failed to recognise underlying economic problems in the UK. These problems will see sterling disappoint many in 2004, say David Bloom (left) and Mark Austin, currency strategists at HSBC in London
Rand-weakening options running dry
LONDON -- The recent weakening of the South African rand, which dropped from 6.3128 on January 5 to 7.0649 on January 30, may be hard to sustain, as the authorities run out of options to force the currency lower, analysts warned last week.
How to ride out the rising Aussie
The stellar rise of the Aussie doesn’t have to be bad news for Australian exporters. Wes Price, of ANZ Bank’s consultative risk management group in Melbourne, explains why
More banks put money on research
LONDON -- ABN Amro and Barclays Capital are among the increasing number of banks putting money on their trade recommendations for FX. Both have allocated money to start trading on model portfolios this year, joining CSFB, Citigroup and JP Morgan Chase as…
Firms race for North American retail investors
NEW YORK -- Trading firms and exchanges are building FX products targeting the retail market, as retail investor interest in foreign exchange soars in North America.
EBS set to cut delays with direct data feed
LONDON -- Spot broker EBS will launch a new direct data feed today, February 2, which aims to cut delays in the distribution of its spot prices from third parties such as Bloomberg, Moneyline and Reuters.
G10 trade keeps Citi earnings stable
NEW YORK -- Opportunities in the G10 currencies and efficiency gains from electronic trading helped maintain Citigroup’s strong FX earnings in 2003.
Using currency as an alpha source
The past three years have been disturbing for investors and managers. This investment climate is perfect for engaging in currency strategies to create alpha, say Paul Lambert, head of currency, and Mark Pursey, UK spokesperson at Deutsche Bank Asset…
Korean regulations to keep won stable
SEOUL -- Analysts are forecasting more near-term stability for the Korean won, after the South Korean Ministry of Finance and Economics (Mofe) last week introduced regulations aimed at limiting activity in the non-deliverable forwards (NDF) market by…
Mission impossible
Japanese FX intervention is increasing, but even unlimited funds would fail to stop appreciation, says Simon Derrick (right), head of currency research at the Bank of New York in London
SPECIAL REPORT: CHINA Opportunity China: banks reveal plans
SHANGHAI -- Top forex banks are stepping up their strategies to win lucrative FX business in China as it gradually liberalises its economy. Major international players are taking steps such as increasing staffing levels in the Asia-Pacific, or carrying…
Dollar move boosts State Street’s revenues
BOSTON -- Sustained currency market trends, including the continued US dollar downturn, helped State Street increase its profits from FX dealing 30% year-on-year, according to its 2003 financial results published last week.
Analysts mull expectations for Japan
TOKYO -- Analysts expect Japanese authorities to continue intervening in the currency markets this year, following the Ministry of Finance’s (MoF) record spend of ¥21 trillion ($198 billion) in 2003. However, the consensus view is that the MoF may…
Kiwi ripe to strengthen
The New Zealand dollar’s recent performance is based on more than just US dollar weakness. Sue Trinh, currency strategist at the Bank of New Zealand in Wellington, looks at what will be driving the currency in 2004
The year ahead in Asia
US dollar weakness and regional equity market strength look set to remain the main drivers of Asian FX in 2004, according to Tim Condon, chief economist, Asia for ING Financial Markets in Hong Kong
Calling all forecasters!
Due to increasing demand from banks and analysis firms to join FX Week ’s forecast table, we are this month launching a major new currency forecasts index.