FX Gains or Losses?

The Irish economy generates foreign exchange (FX) flows of approximately €200Billion every year from the import and export of goods and services in addition to financial flows. Volatility in the FX markets is an ever present challenge to financial managers who are trying to minimise the impact that movements in foreign exchange rates can have on their core business. Adopting a proactive approach to managing FX risk will ensure that unforeseen developments in the financial markets do not erode trading margins or create negative surprises that can have a detrimental impact on the company’s performance. When it comes to managing FX risk it is not about beating the market or rolling the dice, it is about mitigating what is a very significant risk to your bottom line.

If we look at the EURUSD exchange rate over the last 18 months, we can see that an Irish company importing goods and paying for them in US dollars would have been doing so at a rate of €/$1.40 in May 2014. As recently as a few weeks ago, that same company would have been buying those same goods at a rate of €/$1.05, a move that represents a 25% increase in costs. Nobody knows where FX rates will be in the future but companies can take steps to manage or avoid these negative surprises or disadvantageous moves in the FX market.

Better FX rates mean that you will pay less for your foreign currency purchases or will generate more income from your foreign currency sales, these savings go straight to your bottom line.

Talk to Noone Casey to identify how best to manage your FX exposure.