4 WAYS TO ASSESS YOUR COMPANY’S FOREIGN EXCHANGE EXPOSURE
This article is written by GPS® Capital Markets When you take a close look at any business’s operations, most planning and management are determined by the company’s size and vertical. When I’ve talked to executives about how they run their companies, the consensus is that there’s a mountain of difference between how to approach a small business’s operations versus a sprawling multinational’s. However, there’s one important exception to the rule, and it’s what we’re going to discuss in this blog: When it comes to doing business in multiple markets—no matter the details—all companies face foreign exchange exposure. How well a business assesses, forecasts, and manages fluctuating costs across currencies could be the difference between sinking and swimming. Take a look at these four ways you can start understanding your exposure. Treasury and finance professionals working to document and understand FX risks classify different types of exposures to track and mitigate them. Ultimately, the more data you can collect about these dynamics, the better you can optimize over time. Not all companies will face these exposures, but as a company grows, its FX risk can become more nuanced and bring different dynamics into play. Depending on how long you’ve been working at your company and how large/complex its operations are, it may be difficult to tease out the financial dynamics happening in each subsidiary. The most successful treasury professionals will be able to audit payments and transactions and find ways to consolidate or refine overall processes to save money or time. All refinement or optimization—the buzz word of the decade—begins with accurate data collection that can later translate into advanced analysis, visualization, and reworking of processes to mitigate FX exposure. Data aggregation tools, like GPS’ FXpert platform, keep track of your company’s activities across markets. This makes it easier to see exposure and create actionable plans for reduction of risk. With a complex view, different supply chain, acquisition, or payment procedures can be developed. If each of your subsidiaries does reporting differently, it can be difficult to get to a single point of data truth to understand exposure. Combine this with different operating languages, currencies, vendors, and lines of business, and you can get yourself into a big mess. Determining FX exposure, especially in a complex manner over many years, is most successful when you have all your ducks in a row and operate in a uniform manner. With FXpert, you can standardize payments with intercompany netting and report on all your transactions to meet regulatory requirements in one place. Trying to assess FX exposure on your own, even with an experienced in-house team, can prove too much for a treasury professional to handle. Whether your operation is expanding into new markets or acquiring subsidiaries with different transaction practices or software, bringing in experts who deal exclusively in FX covers your decisions and provides new ideas. Having seasoned experts available 24/7 and ready to help with any FX question provides peace of mind and the ability to get second opinions on any hedging strategy. Join our Treasury Community Treasury Masterminds is a community of professionals working in treasury management or those interested in learning more about various topics related to treasury management, including cash management, foreign exchange management, and payments. To register and connect with Treasury professionals, click [HERE] or fill out the form below to get more information. Notice: JavaScript is required for this content.
Starting a new job in Treasury: Best practices and expert advice
This Articles is a repost from an Article posted by our Content Partner Nomentia We recently interviewed treasury expert Patrick Kunz, who’s been working in treasury all his life. As he mentioned himself during the webinar, “Treasury is basically all I know.” Patrick has worked independently for the past 11 years. He founded his own company, Pecunia Treasury and Finance, and works with various companies, from scale-ups to large enterprises and anything in-between. Patrick provided interesting insights into what treasurers should prioritize during the first 180 days of a new job because of his longstanding experience and the many temporary assignments he’s had. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the main things we also covered during a recent webinar. These are the main topics that Patrick deems crucial during the first 180 days of starting a new job in Treasury: Let’s dive deeper into each one of these topics. 1. Starting with planning and prioritizing How planning and prioritizing are done in your first 180 days is highly dependent on each company. Suppose it’s a longstanding company with hardly any volatility. In that case, your priorities are different compared to an organization without a treasury department, where it has to be built from scratch, for example. Of course, these are both extremes, and many organizations have characteristics somewhere in between. In an established treasury department, every treasurer has their own style, working methods, and priorities. If you start a new job in such a team, it doesn’t automatically mean you can simply continue what the former treasurer did. It’s most important to recognize where the company’s priorities are. If the company focuses more on forecasting, it will likely receive more attention and become a priority. Patrick suggests that it’s really up to the treasurer together with the CFO and the company to prioritize where to start. He also stresses that this should preferably be clear before starting a new job and become even more apparent during the first month or two. 2. Identifying main internal and external stakeholders Treasury can never work on its own. If you’re a stand-alone treasury, you’re doing something wrong. Treasury is at the company’s heart and should closely collaborate with other stakeholders. On the one hand, it gets cash in from the business and allocates cash out to other businesses. On the other hand, it also ensures that working capital runs smoothly by guaranteeing that there is sufficient risk-free cash available. Regarding internal stakeholders, Patrick mentioned that a crucial team to work with is procurement because they know how and when you will spend your money. In addition, sales are important because they generate your cash inflows, and any hick-ups in revenue will hurt your cash flows for the coming weeks. You should also always be in close contact with the CFO, who’s probably your boss (or FP&A depending on the organization). With these main internal stakeholders, you need to align at least every week. Patrick also mentioned that other departments have the tendency to forget to invite treasury to a meeting or start involving them in a project at a later stage, which often brings in last-minute stress and dealing with tight deadlines. So, putting yourself on the map and explaining to stakeholders what treasury is all about is crucial to overcome such challenges. Another main reason to keep other departments close is that there might be overlapping tasks or systems that other departments also benefit from. Therefore, aligning processes and systems to work most efficiently is critical. External stakeholders often consist of banks, liquidity providers, and hedging counterparties. But this also depends on the company and how advanced its treasury operations are. In the end, treasury sits on top of a lot of tasks but also needs to get away from the comfortable treasury chest and be out there as a business advisor. The business, in turn, should know what treasury does, where to find them, and for what purposes. 3. Achieving cash visibility and strategizing for excess cash or shortages There are two questions that a treasurer should be able to answer: The latter is often a lot harder to answer. Interestingly, on the other hand, companies often don’t have any issues knowing how much profit they will make for the year. They know exact P&L figures and current cash at hand yet forecasting remains a challenge. If you cannot answer both questions perfectly, you should be able to use some tools or techniques to get the response within at least an hour to half a day. In more straightforward treasury organizations, question one can be answered by accessing one, two, or three online banking portals. However, most multinationals have hundreds of banks because no bank can offer bank accounts anywhere in the world. When treasury is more complex, answering how much cash you have or will have in the future becomes increasingly challenging. With today’s technologies, however, 90 or 95 percent of cash visibility should be available with the push of a button. There are many tools where you can login to view at least end-of-day balances, but you should preferably be able to see intraday balances and real-time balances too. Moreover, as a treasurer, you should always be forward-looking. There’s always a cash starting position available from which you can calculate how much cash you need next week, for example, and whether the cash position goes up or down. Then you can take it one step further and do the same for a month. By analyzing shifts in cash positions over time, you can also determine whether there’s a financing need. If you are in need of financing, you may need to talk to your bank. But can they provide financing quick enough? Or do you already have a credit facility that you can use? Depending on the economic circumstances, it can be hard to get a loan if you don’t have a facility, especially when interest rates are higher and there is less cash in the market. On the contrary, if you…
Exchange Rates and How they Affect Every Business
The world has gotten more connected through globalization and advances in technology. This has changed the way small business owners operate. And the burning question many businesses are asking is how exchange rate affect business? In the past, small businesses usually focused on their local area. They made and sold products or services to people nearby, and they got their supplies from local sources. This is usually within the same city or state, and always within the same country. But with globalization, there are new benefits and challenges for business owners. They now have a bigger market to sell their products to and can choose from suppliers all over the world. However, they also face challenges like understanding different markets and cultures and dealing with foreign languages. Many small business owners might not fully understand how changes in exchange rates affect their businesses. These exchange rates play a big role in all international transactions. It’s important to know how the foreign exchange markets work. And how they can impact your business. To read more blogs related to how exchange rate affect business, check out: Navigating the Foreign Exchange Market: Its Functions, Players, and Importance to Business Owners 10 Factors that Influence Exchange Rates between Currencies What are exchange rates? Exchange rates, simply put, are the rates at which one currency can be exchanged for another. These rates fluctuate constantly based on a myriad of factors, including economic data, geopolitical events, and market sentiment. Imagine you’re running a U.S.-based company importing electronics from Japan. If the exchange rate is 110 Japanese Yen (JPY) to 1 U.S. Dollar (USD) and suddenly shifts to 100 JPY to 1 USD, your purchasing power increases. You can now buy more goods for the same amount of USD because each dollar now costs fewer yen. There are two primary types of exchange rates: Floating Exchange Rates: These are determined by market forces, with prices fluctuating continuously based on supply and demand. Fixed Exchange Rates: Some countries peg their currency to another major currency (like the U.S. dollar or the Euro). This keeps their exchange rate stable against the pegged currency. For example, if $1 USD equals €0.85 EUR, this exchange rate tells you how much European currency you can get for your U.S. dollars and vice versa. How Exchange Rate Affect Business 1. Impact on Import Costs When considering the effects of exchange rates on your business, it’s crucial to understand the multifaceted impact these rates can have. For businesses involved in importing goods, the strength of the domestic currency plays a pivotal role. A stronger domestic currency can lead to reduced import costs, as your currency now has more purchasing power internationally. Conversely, a weaker domestic currency can increase these costs, impacting your profit margins. For instance, if you’re importing electronics from Japan and the US dollar strengthens against the Japanese yen, your purchasing power increases, enabling you to buy more goods for the same amount of money. 2. Effect on Export Competitiveness Export competitiveness is another critical area affected by exchange rates. A weaker domestic currency can make your exports more competitive in the global market as your products become cheaper for international buyers. However, if your domestic currency strengthens, your exports might become more expensive and less attractive, potentially reducing demand. Let’s say a Canadian furniture manufacturer exports to the U.S. If the Canadian dollar weakens against the US dollar, its products will become more competitively priced in the U.S. market. 3. Influence on Profit Margins The impact of exchange rates extends to the profit margins of businesses, especially those with significant foreign revenue or expenses. Fluctuations in currency values can lead to exchange rate gains or losses when converting foreign revenue back to the domestic currency. For example, a UK company receiving payments in US dollars will see an increase in profits when converting to pounds if the US dollar strengthens against the British pound. 4. Implications for Investments Investments in foreign countries are also subject to the influence of exchange rates. If a U.S. company has investments in Brazil, a depreciation of the Brazilian Real against the US dollar could decrease the value of these investments when converted back to dollars. Additionally, the repatriation of earnings from foreign subsidiaries can be affected by fluctuating exchange rates, influencing the overall profitability of overseas operations. 5. Challenges in Pricing Strategy Pricing strategy in international markets is another aspect that can be impacted by exchange rates. Constant fluctuations might necessitate frequent adjustments in pricing to maintain consistent revenue in the home currency. A software company based in India, for instance, might need to adjust its pricing in euros frequently to maintain a steady revenue stream in Indian rupees. Join our Treasury Community Treasury Masterminds is a community of professionals working in treasury management or those interested in learning more about various topics related to treasury management, including cash management, foreign exchange management, and payments. To register and connect with Treasury professionals, click [HERE] or fill out the form below to get more information. Notice: JavaScript is required for this content.
10 Factors that Influence Exchange Rates between Currencies
Have you ever wondered about the factors that influence exchange rates? Aside from interest rates and inflation, a country’s exchange rate tells you a lot about how healthy its economy is compared to others. Understanding the dynamics of exchange rates between currencies is crucial for both investors and businesses operating in the global market. The exchange rate of a currency is its value in terms of another currency, and this rate is influenced by a multitude of factors, ranging from economic policies to market speculation. This blog post explores these factors in detail, offering real-world examples and discussing their general impact on exchange rates. Learn more about foreign exchange in: Navigating the Foreign Exchange Market: Its Functions, Players, and Importance to Business Owners Exchange Rates and How they Affect Every Business 10 Factors that influence exchange rates 1. Interest Rates Interest rates, set by a country’s central bank, are the cost of borrowing money. Higher interest rates offer lenders higher returns relative to other countries. If the U.S. Federal Reserve increases interest rates, it can lead to an appreciation of the U.S. dollar as investors seek higher returns. Influence on Exchange Rates: Higher interest rates attract foreign capital and cause the exchange rate to rise. 2. Inflation Rates Inflation indicates the rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services is rising. In the 1980s, Japan’s low inflation rate contributed to a significant rise in the value of the Japanese yen. Influence on Exchange Rates: Lower inflation rates are often associated with a higher currency value as purchasing power increases relative to other currencies. 3. Economic Policies Economic policies include government fiscal policy and monetary policy, which affect economic activity. The introduction of quantitative easing by the European Central Bank in 2015 led to a decline in the Euro’s value. Influence on Exchange Rates: Government policies aimed at stimulating economic growth can lead to depreciation or appreciation of the currency, depending on how the market perceives these policies. 4. Public Debt Public debt is the total amount of money that a country’s government has borrowed. In the early 2010s, Greece’s public debt crisis led to a significant fall in the Euro’s value. Influence on Exchange Rates: Countries with large public debts are less attractive to foreign investors due to the risk of inflation and default, leading to a decrease in currency value. 5. Level of Income This refers to the national income and purchasing power of a country’s residents. Higher income levels in the U.S. can lead to increased imports, affecting the dollar’s value. Influence on Exchange Rates: Higher income levels can lead to more imports, causing the local currency to depreciate against foreign currencies. 6. Terms of Trade Terms of trade relate to the ratio of export prices to import prices. Australia’s strong terms of trade during the commodities boom in the early 21st century led to a stronger Australian dollar. Influence on Exchange Rates: Improved terms of trade (when export prices rise relative to import prices) strengthen a country’s currency. 7. Political Stability Political stability refers to the degree of predictability and consistency in a country’s government. The Brexit vote in 2016 led to a sharp decline in the value of the British pound due to political uncertainty. Influence on Exchange Rates: Political stability tends to attract foreign investment, leading to a stronger currency. 8. Current Account Deficit Definition: The current account deficit measures the balance of trade, foreign income, and direct transfers. The U.S. has run significant current account deficits, impacting the dollar’s value. Influence on Exchange Rates: A larger deficit can lead to the depreciation of the currency as more capital leaves the country. 9. The Stock Market Definition: The stock market reflects the performance of publicly traded companies and investor sentiment. A bull run in the U.S. stock market can attract foreign capital, boosting the dollar. Influence on Exchange Rates: A strong stock market can attract foreign investment, leading to currency appreciation. 10. Confidence and Speculation Definition: Market confidence and speculation involve investor perceptions and future expectations about a currency. Speculation about the Eurozone’s stability during the debt crisis influenced the Euro’s value. Influence on Exchange Rates: Confidence and speculation can cause rapid swings in currency values based on investor perceptions and predictions. These factors can intertwine and interact, creating a complex web that determines the ever-shifting landscape of exchange rates. Understanding these forces can help you navigate the financial terrain, whether you’re a seasoned investor or just a curious globetrotter. Join our Treasury Community Treasury Masterminds is a community of professionals working in treasury management or those interested in learning more about various topics related to treasury management, including cash management, foreign exchange management, and payments. To register and connect with Treasury professionals, click [HERE] or fill out the form below to get more information. Notice: JavaScript is required for this content.
Navigating the Foreign Exchange Market: Its Functions, Players, and Importance to Business Owners
Functions of the foreign exchange market