What’s in store for the US dollar in 2021?

25-02-2021 | treasuryXL | XE |

In the opening weeks of 2021, the US dollar has seen a bout of strength. But how will the value of the dollar fare in the coming months? In the XE forecast, they will tell you what they think.

At this time, the onset of 2021 has brought a bout of US dollar (USD) strength. The USD Index has risen 2.2% from its 34-month low set on January 6th. This recent strength is a major contrast with the -15% performance the USD experienced over the prior nine months.

USD at a glance

What’s impacting the dollar right now?

  • Unemployment fell to 6.3% today from 6.7% last month.

  • The US Treasury bond yield curve is upward sloping and at higher interest rate levels, pointing toward a continued recovery.

  • The IMF, Goldman Sachs and other large investment firms are calling for a boom 2nd half to 2021.

  • COVID-19 cases have fallen dramatically in the US this week, and Johnson & Johnson is about to announce their vaccine.

These data points all hint towards positive US economic growth as 2021 continues.

Given the new U.S. presidential administration and the development of COVID-19 vaccinations, market participants are wondering what’s in store for the USD in 2021. To answer this question, it’s important to first review the dollar’s recent history.

The US dollar in review

From 2011 to early 2020, the dollar appreciated nearly +28% as global investors flocked to the US markets to buy US assets and participate in the booming US economy. This dollar uptrend held despite then-President Trump’s efforts to talk down the dollar, as higher US treasury yields and continued equity market returns kept the dollar firm.

Then COVID-19 struck in March 2020, changing everything.

The dollar initially sank in sympathy as global equity markets began to unravel. However, once the magnitude of COVID-19’s economic impact became more apparent, a new market “risk aversion” theme took hold. Investors quickly bailed on risky assets and flocked to USD-denominated “safe-haven” assets en masse, believing they would be more likely to maintain their value and hold steady even as financial markets crumbled.

In just two weeks, this mad dash into safe-haven USD assets spiked the USD Index +7.5% and left the USD with an artificial “risk aversion” premium built into its value from its perceived low uncertainty.

It has been this risk-aversion premium that then most influenced the USD’s 2020 USD trading.  For the prior nine years, traders had bought USD on good investor news to invest in US assets In the new COVID-19 world, traders did the opposite, selling USD on good market news.

Why?

Because traders were already overweight US assets and even more so with the newly purchased safe haven assets. So, as 2020 unfolded and the investment climate improved due to central bank and government actions, the need for safe-haven assets diminished and traders began unwinding these positions.

And, with this, the negative equity market correlation was born, and flipped risk-on and risk-off its head.

Ordinarily, the value of USD assets would rise in conjunction with increased market optimism (risk-on), and uncertainty or negativity would drive investors to sell their riskier assets in favor of safer ones (risk-off). Good news for investors would mean good news for the dollar, and the same with bad news.

Now, good news for investors was bad news for the dollar, and bad news for investors was good news for the dollar.  Economic fundamentals didn’t matter.

This theme held strong for the remainder of 2020. If US stocks went up (and they did!), then the USD would fall (and it did!). It was virtually guaranteed.

What’s going to happen in 2021?

To answer that question, we’ll need to consider two key questions.

  1. Will 2021 be a continuation of 2020’s risk-aversion trading theme?

  2. Will traders conclude that the USD risk-aversion premium has been wiped out and it is time to start trading off market fundamentals?

Up until this week, 2021 FX trading was looking just like 2020. Post-US election equity markets surged on the elimination of election risk, positive vaccine news and the idea of a large US fiscal stimulus package. Unsurprisingly, the USD fell -6%. And on January 6th, after the storming of the US Capitol, when uncertainty was reintroduced to the markets, the USD rose 2%.

So, what will it be for the dollar going forward? It depends on whether or not you believe the risk-aversion trading scenario will continue.

  • If you do believe this, then you likely believe the US dollar will continue to depreciate as global equity markets continue to move higher.

  • If you don’t believe this, then you believe the worst of the pandemic is over, traders have priced out the “risk-aversion premium” to the dollar, and that the USD will trade on fundamentals again—meaning good economic data and continued equity market returns will strengthen the USD.

In conclusion?

Should 2020’s risk-on and risk-off trend reverse, we will see a strong US dollar. The IMF recently raised the US’s 2021 GDP forecast to 5.1% from 3.1%, which was an outlier to the EU.

Additional vaccines coming onto the market could boost confidence, as would an additional fiscal stimulus package. The US could see unleashed economic growth in the second half of 2020, continuing to draw global capital.  Additionally, some currency moves may have gone too far, and natural flows will come back to the USD and US markets.

If February’s first week of trading is any indication, it looks like 2020’s negative correlation has broken as both the dollar and equity markets rallied in sync.

Are you curious to know more about XE?

Maurits Houthoff, senior business development manager at XE.com, is always in for a cup of coffee, mail or call to provide you detailed information.

 

 

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Who sets the rates? Common questions about currency exchange rates

18-02-2021 | treasuryXL | XE |

Ever wondered where the rates come from, and how they can impact you?
We answer some common questions in this guide to exchange rates.

Who’s in charge of setting currency exchange rates? If you’ve ever sent money overseas or checked the rates, this is a question that may have definitely crossed your mind. Who decides what is the value of money, and why do rates fluctuate that much during the day?

It’s normal to wonder, and fortunately for you, we’ve got the answers to those questions and more.

How do currency exchange rates work?

Every country in the world has its own currency, and each of these currencies is valued differently. When you exchange one currency for another, you’re actually buying money, just in a different currency than the one used in your country.

The exchange rate tells you how much the currency used in your country is worth in foreign currency. The rates constantly change for some countries, whereas others use fixed exchange rates. As a rule of thumb, a country’s social and economic outlook is the main factor that influences the currency exchange rate.

That’s the quick answer. If you’re in the mood for a more in-depth look, check out our previous blog post.

What are the main types of exchange rates?

The main types of rates are variable (or flexible) and fixed rates.

Most countries have variable currency exchange rates, which are determined by the foreign exchange market. Because these rates are flexible, they fluctuate every minute, often influenced by market movements, political events, economic forecasts, and more.

Countries such as the U.S., the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, and Mexico all use flexible exchange rates. It’s important to note that even though government policies can influence currency exchange rates, the government can’t actually regulate them. The rates are always determined by Forex traders on the foreign exchange market.

Several countries use fixed currency rates, and that is because the government dictates when the rates change. This is the case for the Saudi Arabian riyal, for example. The fixed rates are pegged to the U.S. dollar, and the central bank in the countries that use this system holds U.S. dollars to keep the rate fixed.

How do forex traders establish currency exchange rates?

The market forces of supply and demand are the main factors that determine currency exchange rates. The level of demand for a currency determines its value in relationship with other currencies. For example, if the demand for British pounds by Americans increases, the supply-demand forces will cause an increase of the British pound’s price in relation to the dollar.

The exchange rates between two countries are affected by countless factors, both geopolitical and economic. Some of the most common of them include:

  • Inflation reports

  • Interest rate changes

  • Gross domestic product numbers

  • Unemployment rates.

Forex traders take all these factors and more into account when establishing currency exchange rates. If a country has a strong economy that’s growing, investors will be interested in buying its goods and services, which means that they’ll need more of its currency.

On the other hand, when a country has an unstable economy, investors will be put off and less willing to invest, which means that the currency will not be highly valued. Investors always want to make sure they will get paid back before deciding to hold government bonds in a particular currency.

How do exchange rates affect you?

The value of money affects every individual on a daily basis, as the prices of essentials such as groceries and gas at the pump are correlated to it. When the value of money declines steadily over time, it causes inflation, and the result of that is a price increase for everything, including basic goods.

If you’re traveling or making a payment to another country that uses a different currency, it’s important to check for exchange rate values and plan your finances accordingly. Many people check whether the currency of the country of their destination is strong or weak before booking a vacation. That’s because a weak currency in the destination country means that you can buy more of it with your own currency, so you have more money to spend on your trip.

How can you get the best rates when sending money overseas?

As we’ve said before, unfortunately there’s no specific time where you can guarantee you’ll get a great rate. But there are a few things you can do to help yourself out.

If you’re transferring money to someone in another country, you need to look carefully at your options, as some transfer methods are more expensive than others. For example, if you’re using your bank to make a transfer, you’ll often need to pay a fee on top of the exchange rates set by the bank, which are usually disadvantageous.

By using an online money transfer service such as Xe, you can save money on fees and get great exchange rates. Your money will also reach its destination faster, and the entire process of making the transfer is easy both on the website and the mobile app.

Are you curious to know more about XE?
Maurits Houthoff, senior business development manager at XE.com, is always in for a cup of coffee, mail or call to provide you detailed information.

 

 

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How do Foreign currency exchange rates work?

11-02-2021 | treasuryXL | XE |

Ever checked the rates and wondered what’s happened to give you the rate you see? Here we break it down for you—and try to make it as simple and painless as possible.
If you’re traveling abroad for a holiday, need to pay for a school fee in another country or you want to buy an item from a foreign country,  you will need a currency exchange to carry out your transaction. But how can you tell the exact amount your currency is worth when it is exchanged into a foreign currency? And who’s setting them?

For the first question, you can easily do that on Xe’s Currency Converter. The second question? That’ll take a little more time to understand. We’ll try to make it as quick (and painless) as possible for you!

Currency exchange rates: what they are, and how they work

Exchange rates indicate how much your currency is worth if exchanged into a foreign currency. For example, on December 30, 2020, 1 U.S. dollar was equal to 0.748067 British pounds.

Currency exchange transactions happen 24 hours a day, seven days a week in a market that transact over $6 trillion a day. Exchange rates are constantly fluctuating as foreign currencies are actively traded. Various trading activities boost or lower the values of different currencies.

Institutions and traders buy and sell foreign currencies in the global market 24 hours a day. For a trade to be completed, at least one currency must be exchanged for another. For example, in order to buy the U.S. dollar another currency is required for payment. Whatever currency is used, either the euros, yen, or Canadian dollar, etc. will create a currency pair. For example, if you use U.S. dollars (USD) to buy the Japanese yen, the exchange rate will be for the JPY/USD pair.

How are international exchange rates determined?

Foreign exchange rates are determined in various countries using two key methods: flexible and fixed rate. While flexible exchange rates are constantly changing, fixed rates hardly ever change. (Though you probably figured that out from their names.)

Flexible exchange rates

The foreign exchange market or forex determines most currency exchange rates. These rates are known as flexible exchange rates. These rates are constantly changing from one moment to the next. Flexible exchange rates are influenced by the open market through demand and supply on world currency markets. As such, if the demand for a specific currency is high, the value of such currency will most likely increase. But if the demand of a particular currency falls, its value in the foreign exchange market falls too.

Most major global currencies often have flexible exchange rates. These include the British pounds, Mexican pesos, European euros, Japanese yen, Canadian dollars, and others.

The government of these countries and their central banks do not interfere to keep their exchange rates fixed. Though their policies can affect rates in the long run, for most of these nations their governments can only impact and not regulate exchange rates.

Fixed exchange rates

Countries that use fixed or pegged foreign exchange rates do so via their central bank. These countries set their rate against another major world currency like the United States dollar, euro or yen.

To regulate and maintain the fixed exchange rate, the government of these countries buy and sell their own currency against the foreign currency to which it is pegged. Only the governments of these countries can determine when their foreign exchange rates should change.

Countries that use the fixed exchange rate method include Saudi Arabia and China. These countries ensure that their central banks have sufficient amounts of money in their foreign currency reserves to determine the amount their currency is worth in the foreign exchange market.

Okay, but what causes the rates to change?

Rates change when currency values change. There are several key factors that affect the movement and values of local and foreign currencies. These include three key factors known as:

  1. Interest rates

  2. Money supply

  3. Financial stability

Due to these factors, the demand for a particular country’s currency, depends on what is happening in that country.

Interest rates

The interest rates a country’s central bank is setting is a key factor that will influence the country’s exchange rate. Higher interest rates have positive impacts on the value of the country’s currency. Investors are more likely to exchange their currency for one with higher interest rates, and then save it in that country’s bank to benefit from the higher interest rate.

Money supply

The money supply made available by a country’s central bank can influence the value of the currency in the foreign exchange market. For example, if there is too much money in circulation, there will be too much of it in exchange for very few goods.

Currency holders will most likely bid up the costs of goods and services which will trigger inflation. In the event that too much money is printed and in circulation in a particular country, it triggers hyperinflation and drives down their currency value in the foreign exchange market. Cash holders prefer to invest in countries with little or no inflation.

Financial stability

The financial stability and economic growth of a country can affect its foreign exchange rates. Investors are more likely to buy goods and services from countries with a strong and growing economy. This means they will need more of such a country’s currency to buy from them. this will increase the demand for such currency and ultimately boosts its value in the foreign exchange market.

If the economy of the country is in a bad shape, investors are less likely to trade with them. Investors are only interested in trading with countries that can provide gains from holding government bonds in that currency.

Are you curious to know more about XE?
Maurits Houthoff, senior business development manager at XE.com, is always in for a cup of coffee, mail or call to provide you detailed information.

 

 

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How Do I Spot an Opportunity?

04-02-2021 | treasuryXL | XE |

There are a few signs and behavioral patterns that can indicate someone who would be a good fit to transfer money with XE.

Finding opportunities to turn prospects into Xe customers can be difficult. Though some people do have plans to transfer money overseas and may be in search of the right provider to facilitate their transfers, many other people as, and some may be perfectly satisfied using their bank or a wire transfer to send their money overseas. There are a few things that you can bring up in your discussions or keep your eyes (and ears) open for in order to make the search a little easier. Let’s talk about how you can find the right opportunities.

Spotting a potential opportunity

Though everyone is different, there are a few signs and behavioral patterns that can indicate someone who would be a good fit to transfer money with Xe.

There’s one question that reigns above all others: do they make international payments? This is the fundamental question, and the first one you should look to answer. Do they make international payments or deal with foreign currencies in any capacity? Then they are someone who could benefit from a fast, cost-effective, and easy-to-use money transfer solution.

Signs of a potential opportunity: individual edition

Individuals and businesses will have different signs, and different uses for money transfer. Some examples of people who fit this category include:

  • Clients living in other countries

  • Business people with clients who live overseas

  • Expats from another country

  • People who own property in another country

  • People who work with or get paid by a company in another country

  • People who have family overseas

  • People who have shares or dividends coming from another country

  • People receiving an inheritance, gift payments, or other sums of money from overseas

  • Individuals selling property with plans to relocate abroad

  • People purchasing goods from overseas

  • Workers on temporary overseas work secondments

  • People with overseas pensions

  • Account holders of multi-currency bank accounts.

Identifying someone who has a need for international money transfer is the first step. The next step is convincing them that they shouldn’t just use their local bank branch or the first provider they come across: they should use Xe.

There are two key areas to focus on:

  • Exchange rates

  • Bank costs associated with international payments.

Banks and other providers often set rates that favor themselves, not the client. In addition, these institutions often come with numerous additional fees (sometimes even hidden within the transaction). On the other hand, the Xe rate comes straight from the live currency markets, and is a true, honest reflection of the mid-market rate, with no hidden margins. In addition, there are no hidden fees with Xe: what your client sees is what they will get.

Signs of a potential business opportunity

Individuals aren’t the only ones who need money transfer; there are plenty of businesses who could benefit from working with Xe. Some examples of good opportunities include:

  • Clients with overseas offices

  • Businesses with a globally-located workforce

  • Managers of international payroll

  • Businesses that import or export

  • Offshore investors

  • Businesses with multi-currency bank accounts

  • Any business that sends and/or receives international payments.

Within the realm of international payments, there are a few common concerns that could be worth discussing further. Consider discussing:

  • Do they bill clients in your local currency or their local currency?

  • Do they talk about increased costs overseas, or decreased profits on exports?

  • Are they concerned with the bank costs associated with making international payments?

These questions can help you to better understand what they’re looking for from a money transfer and FX provider, whether it’s improving their profits, cutting out unnecessary costs, or ensuring that they aren’t exposed to FX risk when they make their international payments.

Are you curious to know more about XE?
Maurits Houthoff, senior business development manager at XE.com, is always in for a cup of coffee, mail or call to provide you detailed information.

 

 

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What’s Money Transfer really about?

21-01-2021 | treasuryXL | XE |

Don’t let the technical details overwhelm you. Online money transfer is a quick, simple, and secure process for any of your currency exchange needs.

Have you ever sent money via any means that doesn’t require walking into a physical bank to complete the transaction? That’s money transfer. It’s a simple process of receiving or sending money to a local or an international recipient without any physical cash.

Money transfers are usually available in two forms: payment and transfer.

  • When you use a debit card at a store or your boss gives you your paycheck through direct deposit, you’re experiencing small-scale money transfer.

  • When you’re sending money to another account or person, whether it’s across town or across the world, you’re also making a transfer.

There are four key types of money transfer services to choose from. These are:

  1. Wire transfer

  2. Online money transfer

  3. Bank draft

  4. Money orders

You can use any of these methods for local and international money transfers—but not all options are created equal.

What’s the difference between the four types of money transfer?

Wire transfers are one of the common money transfer services that you can use to transfer funds from one bank account to another bank account or to a cash office.

Online money transfer usually involves sending and receiving funds via an online remittance company (such as Xe) anywhere in the world. Users can easily transfer funds from their phone or their desktop computer, and watch them be deposited in their recipient’s bank account within days (or hours, or even minutes). Better still, funds can be transferred in almost all known currencies across the world.

Bank drafts are mostly used for making payments to companies or organizations abroad. A money transfer company or a bank can issue a bank draft and it is cashable at a financial institution. Bank drafts seem to be the most expensive type of money transfer. However, larger companies and institutions prefer using bank drafts because of their audit trail features and security.

To use a money order for sending funds, the sender is required to go to a cash office to create the money order for a precise cash office and recipient to pick up. All the sender has to do is notify the recipient about the money order. It’s the responsibility of the recipient to pick up the money order at the cash office.

What type of money transfer should you choose?

The easiest, fastest, and most reliable method of money transfer is online money transfer. It involves sending or receiving money anywhere across the world instantly via an online remittance service provider such as XE.

For a small fee, you can easily send money abroad to anyone including your spouse, friends, loved ones, colleagues, employers or even your own account in another country. The online remittance service provider you choose (hint, hint, we recommend choosing Xe) will complete the transaction via their secured web-based platform so your recipient can get the money in no time at all.

What makes online money transfer such a great method? Well…

Why should you choose online money transfer over the other methods?

These are the key benefits of sending money via online money transfer:

  • It’s fast, secure, and safe

How soon do you want your recipient to get the money you want to send over to them? If you choose an online money transfer service, your recipient will get the money quickly, making it the best choice when you’re on a deadline. Online money transfer isn’t just fast, it’s also secure and convenient. The process is simple and will take you just a couple of minutes on the phone or online, and your money and information will be secure during its trip around the world. Even more, if your money isn’t transferred or delivered for whatever reason, the money transfer company will inform you and help you to resolve the situation. If you ever need a fast, secure, and safe method of sending money or payments abroad, money transfer is the best option.

  • You won’t pay as much in service charges

Money transfer is the cheapest method of sending money to anyone or making payments either locally or abroad. If you choose the bank-to-bank method of transferring money or use a third-party agent, you’ll end up paying a lot of fees. This is mostly because banks and third-party agents have a larger overhead cost which they transfer to their customers in form of charges. And those upfront transfer fees aren’t the only extra cost—you’ll also get a worse exchange rate, and could be charged additional hidden fees during the transaction. Those costs add up!

In contrast, online money transfer service providers only charge a small sum, and you’ll always know what you’re paying before you confirm the money transfer. So, if you’re interested in paying a lot less for a faster and safer money transfer method, use an online money transfer service like Xe.

  • There’s no paperwork!

Did you just breathe a sigh of relief? Online money transfer doesn’t involve any paperwork. You wouldn’t have to bother about filling paper forms or stacking paper receipts as proof of transactions. You can easily complete all your transactions online without any paper and you can view your transactions history anytime you want. And as an added bonus, if you’re planning to send multiple money transfers to the same recipient, we’ll securely save their information (and yours) for quick transfers in the future.

  • You can get dedicated service

Have you ever had any reason to transfer money during an emergency in the middle of the night or while you’re busy at work? Going to the bank at such hours or even a third-party agent isn’t an option. But with online money transfer, you can easily initiate a money transfer at any hour of the day or night, without even getting out of bed. Online money transfer services have no opening or closing hours. Rather, they are available 24/7 to help you initiate whatever transaction you want. More so, customer support is often available 24/7 as well, making the online money transfer a more convenient option.

  • It’s efficient

If you decide to send money via a bank, here’s what you’ll have to do:

  1. Go to the bank. (Hope you remembered to get your recipient’s information beforehand!)

  2. Wait in line. (Who knows how long that’ll take?)

  3. Once you reach a teller, fill out the transfer paperwork. (Already sent a transfer to this person, at this location? Doesn’t matter.)

Online money transfers have no wait time, and no queues. You’re not required to leave the spot you are in or visit any location to make a money transfer. The entire process is easy, dependable, and efficient.

  • It’s user-friendly

Using an online money transfer platform doesn’t require any skill or knowledge. Rather, online money transfer platforms are user-friendly, easier to navigate and use for any type of money transfer without the assistance of anyone or a third-party. This makes the entire user experience a very positive one giving you the opportunity to complete as many transactions as you want.

Interested in sending money with Xe? Take just 3 minutes to see what you’ll need to do.

Why choose Xe Money Transfer?

  • Sending money via Xe is fast, convenient, user-friendly, and secure.

  • Money transfers are completed within 1-4 business days, but often complete within 24 hours (or less).

  • You’ll get competitive exchange rates for your money.

  • You can transfer money to over 130 countries.

  • You can download the Xe mobile app on AppStore or Google Play and transfer money on the go.

  • Enjoy expert customer support for all transactions and inquiries

  • No hidden fees.

When you make a money transfer through Xe, you can trust that your money will reach its destination quickly, securely, and with no hidden fees.

Are you curious to know more about XE?
Maurits Houthoff, senior business development manager at XE.com, is always in for a cup of coffee, mail or call to provide you detailed information.

 

 

Visit XE.com

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COVID-19 vaccine rollout: how might it impact global currencies?

14-01-2021 | treasuryXL | XE |

As 2020 drew to a close, news broke of multiple vaccinations for the COVID-19 virus, and each nation began discussing its plan for distributing the vaccine.

At this time, we are still in the early stages of the vaccine rollout, and many nations around the world are still in the process of vaccinating their highest-priority individuals and preparing for the eventual larger-scale distribution.

As some start to dream about a return to life outside of lockdowns and social distancing, others are wondering what the news of the vaccinations—and their eventual distribution—could mean for major global currencies and economies.

Has anything recently impacted the US dollar?

Several recent happenings have led to an impact on the USD.

First, the dollar may see a very short term sentiment impacted by Donald Trump’s removal from office. President elect Joe Biden has stated that he will announce an economic plan on Thursday, 14 January, to navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic and an eventual reopening. While the specifics of this plan are not known at this time, we do know that this plan will be worth “trillions” of dollars and will entail massive infrastructure spend.

Recent minutes from the Fed have shown us that the US Central Bank quantitative easing (QE), and that interest rates will continue to be low for the foreseeable future.

Finally, U.S. treasury Yields recently rose to 10 month highs.

What does this mean for the dollar?

The above events resulted in an end to the recent weaker dollar. Instead, the dollar has been strengthening against its major trading counter parties.

How are other currencies being impacted by the vaccine roll out?

The sooner a nation can widely distribute immunizations, achieve herd immunity and therefore see its economy back and open for business, the better it will be for their economy and currency.

It is currently estimated that once 70-90% of the population has been vaccinated, the sooner lock down restrictions and the “handbrake” on the economy can be released. Because of this, markets are tracking the current vaccine numbers and the planned numbers in the weeks and months ahead as an indicator of which economies will bounce back and which currencies will strengthen first.

Currently, the US dollar and the British pound are poised to see positive change. As of January 8, 2021, the United States ranks 4th in the list of vaccination doses per country, with 2.02 doses administered per 100 people in the population. The United Kingdom ranks 6th, with 1.94 doses per 100 members of the population as of January 3, 2021.

On the other hand, as a result of Europe’s comparatively slow start to the vaccine roll-out, the Euro currently appears to be in a vulnerable position.

What can you do?

If the past year has demonstrated anything, it’s that one can never predict what may happen. The most important thing that you can do is ensure that you’re prepared for market volatility and market motion in all directions.

 

Get in touch with XE.com

About XE.com

XE can help safeguard your profit margins and improve cashflow through quantifying the FX risk you face and implementing unique strategies to mitigate it. XE Business Solutions provides a comprehensive range of currency services and products to help businesses access competitive rates with greater control.

Deciding when to make an international payment and at what rate can be critical. XE Business Solutions work with businesses to protect bottom-line from exchange rate fluctuations, while the currency experts and risk management specialists act as eyes and ears in the market to protect your profits from the world’s volatile currency markets.

Your company money is safe with XE, their NASDAQ listed parent company, Euronet Worldwide Inc., has a multi billion-dollar market capitalization, and an investment grade credit rating. With offices in the UK, Canada, Europe, APAC and North America they have a truly global coverage.

Are you curious to know more about XE?
Maurits Houthoff, senior business development manager at XE.com, is always in for a cup of coffee, mail or call to provide you detailed information.

 

 

Visit XE.com

Visit XE partner page

 

 

 

How FX Providers Can Help Prepare You for Market Motion

07-01-2021 | treasuryXL | XE |

Currency market moves caught you off-guard? You’re not alone. By working with a knowledgeable FX provider, you can minimize the effects on your business.

Woman looking at financial graphs

No matter when you check, the currency markets are constantly moving. Currency values are subject to drastic change seemingly at the drop of a hat.

Volatility in the financial markets isn’t random; changes in currency values are a direct result of real-world factors. Examples of the real-world events that can lead to increases and decreases in currency values include:

  • Natural disasters

  • Recessions

  • Inflation

  • Interest rates

  • Political happenings

It’s not uncommon for the markets to have slower periods of muted volatility, low interest rates, and steady returns in equity markets. But on the other hand, drastic changes can strike seemingly out of nowhere.

Volatility in the markets can have powerful, tangible impacts on businesses around the world. Corporate finance departments, treasury groups, CFOs, and business owners will be the ones left to face the consequences.

What could this mean for your business? Volatility in the markets can potentially:

  • Raise import costs

  • Reduce export sales margins

  • Make your product less competitive

  • Possibly disrupt your business plans for 2020 and beyond.

Manage FX risk with Xe

Your corporation doesn’t need to wait until the markets have already started moving to take action. FX volatility is a risk you can manage, and comprehensive FX risk management measures can help your organization to reduce the impacts of market volatility and account for future shifts in the market.

Many organizations lack FX risk management programs. Some feel that FX risk isn’t a major risk to their organization, while others lack the expertise or resources to implement the effective measures that their organization needs. Partnering with a knowledgeable FX provider can help your organization to manage its currency risk.

At Xe, we have been operating in the currency business for over 25 years as a knowledgeable authority. We have extensive knowledge of the markets and comprehensive product offerings including FX risk management tools to to help you and your corporation manage your currency risk with expert, tailored solutions.

 

Get in touch with XE.com

About XE.com

XE can help safeguard your profit margins and improve cashflow through quantifying the FX risk you face and implementing unique strategies to mitigate it. XE Business Solutions provides a comprehensive range of currency services and products to help businesses access competitive rates with greater control.

Deciding when to make an international payment and at what rate can be critical. XE Business Solutions work with businesses to protect bottom-line from exchange rate fluctuations, while the currency experts and risk management specialists act as eyes and ears in the market to protect your profits from the world’s volatile currency markets.

Your company money is safe with XE, their NASDAQ listed parent company, Euronet Worldwide Inc., has a multi billion-dollar market capitalization, and an investment grade credit rating. With offices in the UK, Canada, Europe, APAC and North America they have a truly global coverage.

Are you curious to know more about XE?
Maurits Houthoff, senior business development manager at XE.com, is always in for a cup of coffee, mail or call to provide you detailed information.

 

 

Visit XE.com

Visit XE partner page

 

 

 

The difference between the price of petrol at the gas station and the price of oil in the market (Dutch Item)

06-01-2021 | Erna Erkens | treasuryXL |

 

Weet u waarom er een verschil zit in de benzineprijs aan de pomp en de olieprijs in de markt? Hoe staan die met elkaar in verhouding?

 

  1. Hierboven de opbouw van de benzine-, diesel- en LPG prijzen en hun samenstelling.
    Dit zijn adviesprijzen. Die betaal je eigenlijk alleen langs de grote weg.Hieruit blijkt dat de inkoop van de diverse onderdelen maar een beperkt deel uitmaakt van de prijs door de accijns en de BTW. Blijft bij mij toch nog de vraag hangen waardoor prijsstijgingen altijd sneller te zien zijn aan de pomp dan prijsdalingen? Een totaal antwoord heb ik bij mijn zoektocht niet gevonden. Wel wat er nog meer van invloed is behalve de accijns en BTW toevoeging.
  2. Tussen de winning van de ruwe olie en de verkoop van de benzine aan de pomp zitten verschillende stadia van productie. Ruwe olie bestaat uit verschillende onderdelen met elk zijn eigen productie- en handelsstadia. Alle verschillende onderdelen zullen op hun eigen manier deze prijsverandering moeten verwerken en daar kan dus een verschil in tempo en prijs ontstaan.
  3. Benzine wordt in meer producten gebruikt dan alleen maar als brandstof in auto’s. Als de vraag groter wordt van bijv. de chemische industrie kan dit ook een opdrijvend effect hebben op de benzine aan de pomp. Groeiende vraag bij gelijk aanbod is hogere prijs! Dalende vraag bij gelijk aanbod is een dalende prijs. In die situatie zitten we op dit moment.
  4. De ingekochte olie wordt vaak gekocht op de termijnmarkt. Dit betekent nu een vaste prijs maar levering over een paar weken of paar maanden. Dus de benzine in de pomp vandaag is olie die al maanden geleden is aangekocht. Dus zit er ook tijd tussen de prijsaanpassing aan de pomp en de prijsstijging of daling van de actuele olieprijs. Op deze termijnmarkten wisselen partijen (scheepsladingen olie) soms wel 8 keer van eigenaar voordat er sprake is van daadwerkelijke aflevering van de olie. Dagelijks wordt gemiddeld 20 x de opgepompte hoeveelheid olie verhandeld.
  5. Er wordt voor de olieprijzen vaak gekeken naar WTI olie (voor de VS in mijn overzicht) en de Brent (voor Europa). Dit zijn eigenlijk vrij kleine olievelden en deze prijzen dienen als een benchmark (gemiddelde) voor de olie.De prijzen van de olie van andere velden kan best afwijken van deze benchmark. Soms zit er wel 10% verschil tussen. Dit hangt weer af van land / voor wie de olie is en of de olie makkelijk te delven is.
  6. De koers van de EUR/USD. Of een vat olie USD 30 kost met een koers van 1.15 = EUR 26.09 of USD 30 met een koers van 1.05 = EUR 28.57Dat maakt 9.5%  uit. Verder zijn er ook nog andere risico’s (transport, economisch, politiek) die afgedekt moeten of kunnen worden. Dit kan ook een onderdeel van de prijs zijn.
  7. Prijzen van benzinestations in de omgeving. Als je iets lager zit qua prijs en je verkoopt meer dan heb je toch een betere dag!
  8. Transportkosten. Het hangt ervan af waar de olie vandaan komt en waar hij naar toe moet!

Zo zie je maar dat de olieprijs wel belangrijk is voor onze benzineprijs, maar dat er nog heel veel dingen van invloed zijn op onze benzineprijs. En een stijging van de olieprijs wordt gek genoeg altijd sneller ingeprijsd, dan de daling. Maar die extra centen zijn dan voor de pomphouder en die verdienen er maar mondjesmaat aan. Er is toch iets geks aan de hand. In de vorige crisis was de olieprijs hoger dan nu maar de benzineprijs lager dan nu. Dat werd niet gecompenseerd door het koersverschil. Zo blijven er altijd bijzondere verschillen.




Erna Erkens
Owner at EEVA
Bron

What to know about receiving a money transfer

24-12-2020 | treasuryXL | XE |

Just like sending one, receiving an international money transfer is quick and simple. Here’s what you’ll need to know about receiving your money transfer.

Need to send money overseas? You’re in luck. There is no shortage of resources available to help people send money electronically across national borders. And it’s understandable: this process is often cumbersome and difficult to understand.

Now, if you’re receiving the transfer? Not so much. There is very little out there to help recipients. It’s almost like companies assume that recipients are financially savvy and they already know everything, or that receiving a money transfer couldn’t potentially be confusing for a first-time recipient.

At Xe, we assume nothing. We’re here to offer step-by-step assistance for both senders and recipients. Our mission is to complete international electronic funds transfers as efficiently as possible, and make the process as quick and easy as possible for anyone who needs to do it.

We’ll go into further detail below, but here are the basics of what you’ll need to know as someone expecting an international money transfer:

  1. Have a bank account

  2. Provide the necessary information

  3. Wait for the money to transfer

  4. Watch your bank account

1. Have a bank account

A significant number of readers took a deep breath when they saw that requirement. About one in ten American adults do not have a bank account. They only use cash or they only use prepaid debit cards. These alternatives are usually just fine, but an electronic money transfer is different. No cash changes hands, and the paying party usually cannot add funds to a debit card.

Most of these people are able to open bank accounts. The minimum requirements are not terribly burdensome. Instead, fear keeps many of these people from opening accounts. They are afraid their credit scores are not high enough or they are subject to a bank account levy order.

Yes, many bank accounts, especially interest-bearing accounts, have minimum credit score requirements. These minimum requirements are also rather high. However, many banks also offer no credit check bank accounts. Typically, these banks do not run ChexSystem reports either. So, the current bank does not know if you owe money to another bank. These accounts usually have rather high fees and other stipulations. But, even if you have the world’s lowest credit score, a bank account is probably available (though bank account levies are another matter).

2. Provide the necessary information

Many people do not like to share their personal information with anyone for any reason. We understand that attitude; there are quite a few scammers out there. However, if you want to receive an money transfer, you’ll need to give the sender some information. We can’t transfer money if we don’t know where to transfer it, after all!

The requirements vary according to the transfer platform. If you’ll be receiving an Xe money transfer, your sender will need:

  • Your name and address. Use your legal name (the name connected to your bank account) and not the name you go by. Furthermore, most financial institutions require recipients to have physical addresses as opposed to post office box numbers. This is for security and anti-money laundering purposes.

  • Your country. A no-brainer, right? But there are two Chinas and two Koreas. Some people live in breakaway republics, such as South Sudan and Tigray, that are not universally recognized. Many also people live in disputed zones which are claimed by multiple countries, such as the India-Pakistan border. Bottom line: the country must match the sender’s financial institution’s records.

  • Your bank information. We need to know it so we know where to deposit the money. This data usually includes:

    • Your bank name

    • Your bank account number

    • A SWIFT or BIC code (which you can get with a quick Google search)

If possible, try not to send this information via unencrypted cell phone text message. Use email or something more secure. And don’t forget to double-check your information, especially account numbers. It’s very easy to transpose digits or make another minor error that could have a big impact. If that happens, you’ll need to wait even longer to receive the transfer, and odds are, that’s not what you want.

3. Wait for the money to transfer

Domestic transfers are usually almost instant. We get nervous if PayPal takes more than thirty seconds to move money. A few international transactions are almost that fast, but most take more time.

Currency conversion accounts for much of this delay. There are many different currency markets that convert U.S. dollars to Mexican pesos, Italian liras to Russian rubles, and so on. These markets charge different fees. Frequently, the transferring financial institution looks for the highest price, adds that fee to the transaction, uses a lower-priced market, and pockets the difference.

Not so at Xe. Our international funds transfer fees are entirely transparent. Nothing happens under the table. So, you know how much money you are going to receive before the sender actually sends it.

Network infrastructure also accounts for some delays. Many banks have excellent services for their local customers, but they do not handle very many international transfers. These transfers are often risky, largely because of the aforementioned international recognition and boundary issues.

Once again, these delays are usually not a problem at Xe. International funds transfers are all we do, so we know how to handle them efficiently and securely (another reason why international transfers can take a little longer—we’re ensuring everything is secure before we transfer).

Generally, Xe transfers require between 1-4 business days to complete (though most transfers are complete within 24 hours, and some take just a few minutes). That’s about the same speed as a domestic PayPal bank transfer.

But you won’t need to resort to guesswork. When your sender confirms their transfer, they’ll be given an expected completion date, and update that time estimate if necessary by email. The sender usually has the most up-to-date information, so check with them!

4. Watch your bank account

International transfers are entirely electronic. We typically send alerts to senders when we begin processing transfers, if there are any hiccups, and when the transfer is complete. We normally also send completion alerts to recipients, assuming we have a good email address.

The best way to know when a transfer is complete is to watch your bank account activity. Occasionally, recipient financial institutions place holds on these transactions, but that’s between you and your bank.

Get in touch with XE.com

About XE.com

XE can help safeguard your profit margins and improve cashflow through quantifying the FX risk you face and implementing unique strategies to mitigate it. XE Business Solutions provides a comprehensive range of currency services and products to help businesses access competitive rates with greater control.

Deciding when to make an international payment and at what rate can be critical. XE Business Solutions work with businesses to protect bottom-line from exchange rate fluctuations, while the currency experts and risk management specialists act as eyes and ears in the market to protect your profits from the world’s volatile currency markets.

Your company money is safe with XE, their NASDAQ listed parent company, Euronet Worldwide Inc., has a multi billion-dollar market capitalization, and an investment grade credit rating. With offices in the UK, Canada, Europe, APAC and North America they have a truly global coverage.

Are you curious to know more about XE?
Maurits Houthoff, senior business development manager at XE.com, is always in for a cup of coffee, mail or call to provide you detailed information.

 

 

Visit XE.com

Visit XE partner page

 

 

 

What is an option contract? (Dutch Item)

| 16-12-2020 | Erna Erkens | treasuryXL |

Wat is een optiecontract?

Internationaal Handelende bedrijven kunnen ook gebruik maken van optiecontracten om hun valutarisico te managen. Een optiecontract is een contract tussen de koper en de verkoper van een vaste onderliggende waarde. Dat kan een aandeel zijn, een valuta, goud of zilver bijvoorbeeld. De onderliggende waarde wordt gekocht of verkocht op van tevoren afgesproken datum op een van tevoren afgesproken prijs voor een van tevoren afgesproken hoeveelheid van deze onderliggende waarde. Optiecontracten lijken een beetje op termijncontracten, maar bij een optiecontract is de koper van de optie niet verplicht om te onderliggende waarde te kopen of te verkopen.

Optiecontracten worden vaak gebruikt om risico’s af te dekken op bestaande posities en voor de speculatieve handel.

Welke soorten optiecontracten zijn er?

Optiecontracten zijn er in twee basisvormen, de putoptie en de calloptie.

Wanneer is een optie een oplossing?

Als er een prijsstijging verwacht wordt en er is een risico om iets te kopen en er is in een offerte rekening gehouden met een bepaalde calculatieprijs dan kan het kopen van een calloptie een oplossing zijn (wel een dure).

Als er een prijsdaling verwacht wordt en u heeft iets verkocht en er is in een offerte met een bepaalde calculatieprijs (dus opbrengst) rekening gehouden dan kan de putoptie een oplossing zijn (wel een dure).

Wat is een call-optie?

Een calloptie is een contract tussen een koper en een verkoper met een aantal vaste onderdelen.
De expiratiedatum, de hoofdsom/hoeveelheid, de uitoefenprijs en de premie waarbij:

  • De koper het recht heeft om op een bepaalde datum (expiratiedatum) een bepaalde hoeveelheid vreemde valuta’s/ aandelen of anderszins te kopen tegen een nu al vastgestelde koers (uitoefenprijs).
  • De verkoper de plicht op zich neemt om op de expiratiedatum de afgesproken hoeveelheid vreemde valuta’s/ aandelen of anderszins te verkopen.
  • De koper van de calloptie beschermt zich tegen een ongunstige koersontwikkeling en betaalt daarvoor bij afsluiting een premie. Net zoals bij een gewone verzekering.

Voordelen voor de koper van een calloptie:

  • De koper is niet verplicht tot afname
  • Er is maximale flexibiliteit
  • De koper is beschermd tegen nadelige koersbewegingen (stijging) vanaf de vooraf gekozen prijs, de uitoefenprijs.
  • De koper kan onbeperkt profiteren van een voordelige koersbeweging (koersdaling)
  • De koper kan nooit meer verliezen dan het premiebedrag en weet dus precies waar hij aan toe is.

Nadelen voor de koper van een calloptie:

  • De premie moet vooraf worden voldaan.
  • Hoe dichter de uitoefenprijs bij de actuele prijs van de onderliggende waarde ligt, hoe hoger de premie.
  • Opties zijn in de regel vrij duur, de koper betaald een hoge premie en er is dus ook een grote koersbeweging nodig om de premie terug te verdienen.

Wat is een putoptie?

Een put optie is een contract tussen een koper en een verkoper, waarbij:

  • De koper het recht heeft om op een bepaalde datum (expiratiedatum) een bepaalde hoeveelheid vreemde valuta’s/ aandelen of anderszins te verkopen tegen een nu al vastgestelde koers (uitoefenprijs).
  • De verkoper de plicht op zich neemt om op de expiratiedatum de afgesproken hoeveelheid vreemde valuta’s aandelen of anderszins te kopen.
  • De koper van de put optie beschermt zich tegen een ongunstige koersontwikkeling (daling) en betaalt daarvoor bij afsluiting een premie.

Voordelen voor de koper van de putoptie:

  • Er is geen verkoopverplichting.
  • Maximale flexibiliteit.
  • Bescherming tegen nadelige koersbeweging (daling) vanaf de vooraf gekozen prijs, de uitoefenprijs.
  • Onbeperkt profiteren van een voordelige koersbeweging (stijging).
  • De koper kan nooit meer verliezen dan het premiebedrag en weet dus precies waar hij aan toe is.

Nadelen voor de koper van een putoptie:

  • De premie moet vooraf worden betaald
  • Hoe dichter de uitoefenprijs ligt bij de actuele prijs van de onderliggende waarde hoe hoger de premie.
  • Opties zijn in de regel vrij duur, dus hoge premies en er is dus ook een grote beweging nodig om de premie terug te verdienen.

In het bovenstaande overzicht ziet u dat bij optiecontract de koper altijd het recht behoudt om het contract al dan niet uit te oefenen. De verkopers zijn altijd afhankelijk van de beslissing van de kopers. Het risico van de verkopers van de optie is onbeperkt. De verkoper van de optie weet wel op welke prijs hij/zij de verplichting heeft, maar weet niet wat de actuele prijs wordt. Dus hij/zij weet nooit wat het prijsverschil zal zijn. Daarom is verkopen van opties eigenlijk alleen iets voor echte specialisten met veel kennis. Net als bij een verzekering en de verzekeringsmaatschappijen. Wij kopen een brandverzekering of een autoverzekering, maar we verkopen deze niet. Dat is iets voor specialisten.

Er zijn optiecontracten die de koper het recht geven op de optie uit te oefenen op elke gewenste datum tot aan de expiratiedatum. Dit noemen we Amerikaanse optiecontracten. Bij Europese optiecontracten kan het contract alleen worden uitgeoefend op de vastgestelde expiratiedatum. De optie kan wel tegengesloten worden met dezelfde expiratiedatum. De namen voor deze verschillende contracten hebben overigens niks met geografie te maken.

Dit artikel is niet volledig maar geeft een beeld van hoe optiecontracten werken. Voor meer informatie kunt u altijd even contact opnemen met EEVA.




Erna Erkens
Owner at EEVA
Bron