Foreign exchange
Commission-free CME FX futures trading from CMC
NEW YORK – CMC Group, online foreign exchange service provider, has launched trading in Chicago Mercantile Exchange’s (CME) currency futures, commission free.
Final chapter in NAB scandal begins
MELBOURNE – The former head of National Australia Bank’s foreign currency options desk is facing up to five years imprisonment for his part in the A$360 million rogue trading scandal that shook the bank last year.
EM currency volatility to continue
CENTRAL EUROPE – Volatility in emerging market FX has surged as market participants gauge the impact of improving US fundamentals, which resulted in a 25 basis point rate hike last week, according to analysts.
Emerging market opportunities
There are more options in emerging markets than you might think, says Scott Wacker (below), global head, client risk advisory and sales, ABN Amro in London
CME goes live on Reuters
CHICAGO and LONDON – The Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) has rolled out CME FX on the Reuters Dealing 3000 platform.
Record start for US investment banks
NEW YORK – This year looks set to be another bumper year for FX, with a second consecutive year of record-breaking first- quarter results from the US investment banks.
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.
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…
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.
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.
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.