Wednesday 14 September 2011

Why Traders need FX Forward Contract?

FX forward contract is an agreement between two parties involved in foreign exchange transaction. Both the parties with the help of forex specialist fixed the exchange rate for a future transaction. This transaction will be held on a specific date of future and the amount is also known. The rates fixed in this type of agreement are known as forward exchange rates. Once both the parties sign FX forward contract, none of them can quit the contract before executing it.

Traders in forex choose FX forward contract to hedge their transaction from the unfavorable movement of forex. However, it is impossible to predict exchange rates of any currency but traders are mitigating the possible chances of negative forex movements at the specific future date. Many reputed forex firms offer the scheme or product of FX forward contract to protect their hard eared money. It may also possible that while executing transaction on a future date, market reach in a favorable condition and you may loss a good opportunity to make profit. The time to execute contract varies based on the clients requirements. However, it is within 1 year. It is a fact that every luxury comes for money and same thing applies to forward contract as well. Forex specialist firms charge some interest rates based on the time decided to execute transaction. There is a standard formula to calculate the interest amount in a forward contract. Parties can fix 1month, 2month, 3 months or any period within 1 year to complete the order. This time span in forex terminology is also known as delivery time or maturity time.

There are businesses who make large transactions overseas on a regular basis. For them security of their funds is the first priority. They trade in forex as a means to transfer money abroad, not with an aim to earn profit. Forward rates are fixed on basis of spot rates or current rates of the market. If company X from US is making transaction with the company Y in UK and finds that the current market condition is positive for them, they can lock the spot rates choosing forward contract scheme.

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