Blog

Five factors influencing sterling's volatility this Spring

Date 4th May 2017 //
Author Paul Langley, Managing Director, Godi Financial
Coin, Dime, Money, Nickel, Wristwatch
Alternative business funding, traffic light, icon

Find your business
funding

£
Enter a funding amount between £500 and £50,000,000.
Please indicate what you need the funding for.

The pound has been on a rollercoaster ride since the EU referendum nearly a year ago but continued uncertainty means it's value will fluctuate for some time to come.

Businesses the world over have had to grapple with turbulent currency markets as a result of the political uncertainty of late. The UK's decision to exit the European Union (EU) - and more recently Theresa May triggering Article 50 - as well as US President Donald Trump coming into office, have been some of the biggest events that have caused volatility in currency markets.

Yet there is much more change to come over the next few weeks, months, and indeed years, that will trigger further volatility in the FX markets - and inactivity is as risky as change for many businesses dealing with the fallout from economic and political upheaval.

My company Godi Financial believes despite such turmoil, lessons have not been learned. Too few businesses are sufficiently prepared to tackle further currency market volatility, with just 20 per cent of small businesses estimated to have changed their hedging strategies in relation to FX in the past year. Many more may be waiting for clarity in the global economy, but with rapid market fluctuations - and politics proving impossible to predict - simply sitting on your hands and not taking action is unwise.

We identified five factors likely to trigger further turbulence in FX markets:

Snap Election

Prime Minister Theresa May made a shock announcement last month (April 18) to hold a UK General Election on June 8, 2017. Her reasoning to call for the snap election is to ensure certainty, stability and strong leadership following the momentous EU referendum.

Despite repeatedly saying she wouldn't, Theresa May's announcement to hold a general election will be sending Britons to the polls yet again. Sterling rallied across the board as she made the surprise announcement with the pound reaching a five-month high.

Her out of the blue move is a clear example of how financial markets can be caught off guard and so preparation is crucial during such uncertain times.

French elections

ABF update: Emmanuel Macron became France's youngest head of state since Napolean when he beat rival Marine Le Pen in the French presidential election. Pro-EU centrist Macron, 39, was elected with 66.1% share of the vote to Le Pen's 33.9%.

As one of the largest and most significant economies in the EU, France is a key player in European politics. The final round of the French election will take place this Sunday (May 7) with Marine Le Pen (Front National) going head-to-head with Emmanuel Macron (Independent).

If Brexit taught us anything, it's that polls cannot be relied upon. A new president for France, whoever it may be, will no doubt have a strong effect on the Euro, especially as some candidates want to have a vote on France's membership of the EU, which means the Euro could continue on its lengthy dwindling trend.

There are many moving parts and markets are starting to price in the risk of an upset. Businesses with FX exposure should not only be prepared for the outcome of the elections, but the likely currency market volatility surrounding the event. Planning is imperative.

Syria

When US President Donald Trump ordered a missile attack against Syria, it triggered an instant reaction in the markets. Since then, however, the recent US military action is not being viewed as a signal for deeper intervention in the war that has been ongoing in Syria for the past six years, and markets have stabilised since their initial reaction.

However, Trump's actions are an example of unpredictability and with this comes market turbulence. Also, Russia's President Vladimir Putin has said the country will ‘tolerate' Western criticism of Russia's role in Syria - highlighting more uncertainty surrounding Russia-US relations.

For the many UK firms trading in dollars, Trumps actions and their implications pose real questions to importers and exporters alike. I recommend adopting a robust hedging strategy now.

North Korea

Trump's bold movements don't stop at Syria. Recent reports show the US President is also putting pressure on North Korea. The relations between the US and North Korea are undoubtedly hostile. This is evident from the erratic regime in Pyongyang, North Korea's capital, and Trump's comment that the country has "gotta behave" when asked what message he had for Kim Jong-un - the North Korean leader.

With North Korea's deputy UN ambassador accusing the US of turning the Korean peninsula into "the world's biggest hotspot" and creating "a dangerous situation in which a thermonuclear war may break out at any moment", tensions are running high.

A rogue state that claims to have a nuclear arsenal is a major concern for any world leader. Geopolitical strains will always impact markets and such tensions aren't going anywhere anytime soon when you consider the current political landscape.

We are in a world where a tweet from the President of the United States could have a dramatic effect on the currency markets, where profits could be instantly cut. Every fluctuation in the market has a direct impact on the bottom line and so businesses need to be protecting themselves against this with a robust FX strategy.

Bank of England - interest rate changes

The Bank of England (BoE) has been forecast to increase interest rates sooner rather than later, which could see sterling strengthen. According to independent research consultancy Capital Economics, the BoE could raise interest rates during early 2018.

While interest rates aren't the only thing influencing currency exchange rates, they can have a significant impact.

Bearing in mind the major uncertainties over the UK economic outlook, we can't rule out anything when it comes to interest rates.

If there is a hike in rates, the pound will strengthen against the euro. This combined with sterling's volatility easing in response to the Brexit vote could spell a positive bout for the currency. That said, it is better for companies to hedge their bets through careful FX planning.

About Godi

Godi offer end-to-end international trade expertise and services encompassing FX risk management, currency exchange, finance and education. We’re a business set up to achieve one principal objective: to introduce greater certainty of outcome for businesses and individuals looking to trade internationally.

Originally established in 2012 as OSTCFX (being part of the OSTC Group), Godi is a brand that today has forged a reputation for unrivalled international trade expertise, outstanding service quality, and trusted, transparent market insights. As for the promise we make to all clients: we’ll help you plan, execute, and manage international transactions in the most cost-effective manner possible. We do this by offering a comprehensive range of services that help you manage risk, deliver against strategy, and respond in a timely fashion to market fluctuations.

To find out how Godi could help your business, visit www.godi.ioor call 0203 326 9082

Alternative business funding, traffic light, icon

Find your business
funding

£
Enter a funding amount between £500 and £50,000,000.
Please indicate what you need the funding for.
Related Articles

A milestone passed | Bank Referral Scheme Post Implementation Review

Alternative Business Funding Chairman, Adam Tavener's thoughts on HM Treasury's Bank refer...

LEARN MORE
Person, Electronics, Computer Keyboard, Computer Hardware, Table

Considering taking the plunge and starting a business?

Has Coronavirus made you think about becoming a business owner? ABF Chairman, Adam Tavener...

LEARN MORE
Outdoors, Landscape, Nature, Scenery, Aerial View

Countering currency volatility during the coronavirus

The acceleration of the coronavirus crisis in March led to some dramatic currency movement...

LEARN MORE
Restaurant, Shelf, Cafe, Furniture, Chair

Preserving our enterprise heritage. Now is the time to be bold.

One thing that is certain, in a currently very uncertain world, is that right now small bu...

LEARN MORE