Foreign Exchange (FX) Basics

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Foreign Exchange (FX) Basics

Currency markets are constantly fluctuating making it difficult to determine a good time to make international payments. 

Currency Exchange Options

This is a brief outline of the tools and products usually offered by FX or currency specialists. 

Spot contracts

Buy or sell a currency for immediate delivery. Spot contracts are suitable if you want to receive your currency quickly and efficiently. Using an FX specialist should also mean that you benefit from better exchange rates.

Forward contracts

Book to buy or sell currency in the future, at a rate fix today. Forward contracts can help protect against adverse currency movements and can be used to lock into favourable exchange rates.

Stop loss orders

Set a minimum level at which to buy or sell currency. An order can be fulfilled automatically if this rate is reached in the markets. Effectively, this guarantees a minimum rate at which currency will be exchanged.

Limit orders

Set a higher target exchange rate at which to buy or sell currency. The order will be fulfilled automatically if this rate is reached in the markets. Effectively, this guarantees a maximum rate at which currency will be exchanged.

If a limit order is run in parallel with a stop loss order, the exchange rate at which a trade is made is guaranteed within a given range; this allows for more effective forward planning.

Regular payments

For making regular international payments, an automated regular payment plan can be arranged with a currency specialist. Funds are collected by direct debit and automatically sent to the foreign account. 

Information supplied by Moneycorp, 100 Brompton Road, London, SW3 1ER
Web: www.moneycorp.com Tel: +44 (0)20 7589 3000
Worldwide copyright © TTT Moneycorp Limited 2008

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