Many SMEs and mid-caps make significant volumes of cross-border payments. However, they often ignore the FX hedging solutions available to secure their margins and neutralise foreign exchange risk. We take a look at the characteristics and advantages of dynamic forward contracts in currency risk management.
Businesses operating internationally frequently face foreign exchange challenges. SMEs and mid-caps dealing with customers or suppliers overseas can find themselves adversely affected by currency market fluctuations. Unless carefully managed, the impact on their sales margins can prove detrimental.
To mitigate foreign currency risk and its consequent margin erosion, implementing a proactive currency management strategy is advisable, notably through FX hedging. Evidently, the strategy a business adopts will depend on its currency market exposure and the volume of cross-border payments it makes. Common instruments to lessen the impact of negative forex developments include FX hedging contracts, such as forwards, flexible forwards and dynamic forwards.
A forward allows businesses to fix the buying or selling rate of a currency pair at a particular time, between two set dates, for a specific amount. A flexible forward enables them to exchange either the full or partial amount(s) at a predetermined rate, at any stage before payment. A dynamic forward offers the benefits of a regular forward, while granting the possibility to benefit from favourable FX market movements. But it comes in various forms. So, what kinds of dynamic forwards are there? And what advantages do they offer?
Like all dynamic forward contracts, dynamic forwards with full participation secure a business’s sales margins by fixing a predefined exchange rate, or “protection rate”. This enables this company to make a future foreign-currency payment without fear of adverse fluctuations. “Full participation” means the contracting party may only take advantage of the pre-agreed rate, or an improved market rate, once the contract has reached maturity. There is, however, a set-up charge.
A small European business named Sirocco places an order for goods amounting to $120,000 (USD), which it will pay in 12 months. At the time of order, the exchange rate (often referred to as the spot rate or reference rate) is EUR 1 = USD 1.2000.
With the help of a forward contract, Sirocco can guarantee today’s exchange rate and countervalue for the future invoice. By choosing a dynamic forward with full participation, they will also have the option of buying dollars at a more favourable rate at the payment date, depending on market conditions.
Like dynamic forwards with full participation, this option allows businesses to benefit from a more favourable market rate at the payment date. However, this only applies to a predetermined percentage of their forward payment. Dynamic forwards with partial participation also aim to secure a business’s sales margins by fixing a guaranteed protection rate that guards against negative FX market developments. Contrary to dynamic forwards with full participation, however, they require no set-up fee.
A European mid-cap named Khamsin places an order for goods costing $120,000 (USD), which it will pay in 12 months. At the time of order, the exchange rate is EUR 1 = USD 1.2000.
By setting up a dynamic forward with partial participation, Khamsin can secure a minimum future exchange rate, or protection rate, of EUR 1 = USD 1.1800 for a proportion of the future payment. The business also maintains the option of buying the remaining percentage of its future dollars at a better rate, depending on currency market conditions at maturity.
As with all dynamic forwards, the aim here is to benefit from a more favourable exchange rate once the contract has reached maturity. When it comes to dynamic forwards with capped participation, a business can once again safeguard its sales margins through a guaranteed protection rate. However, its ability to benefit from advantageous FX market fluctuations is limited to a capped exchange rate at the payment date. This is known as the participation rate.
An EU-based SME called Bora places an order for goods costing $120,000 (USD), which it will pay in 12 months. At the time of order, the exchange rate is EUR 1 = USD 1.2000.
By setting up a dynamic forward with capped participation, Bora can guarantee a protection rate of EUR 1 = USD 1.1900 for its invoice. Opting for this kind of dynamic forward means the business can benefit from a favourable FX market development up to a specified exchange rate known as the participation rate, but not beyond this. The outcome will depend on FX market conditions at maturity.
Dynamic forwards with activating participation are similar to those with capped participation, but there is slightly more at stake. Once again, by setting up this kind of contract, a business protects its sales margins with a guaranteed protection rate. Its ability to benefit from favourable FX market fluctuations is, however, limited to a capped exchange rate at the payment date, known as the activating threshold rate. There is a key distinction here. If the reference rate at maturity exceeds the activating threshold, the business is obliged to avail only of the guaranteed protection rate.
A medium-sized European business called Mistral places an order for goods costing $120,000 (USD), which it will pay in 12 months. At the time of order, the exchange rate is EUR 1 = USD 1.2000.
Through a dynamic forward contract with activating participation, Mistral is able to guarantee a protection rate of EUR 1 = USD 1.1925 to pay its invoice. Choosing this kind of dynamic forward means the business can benefit from a favourable FX market development up to a specified exchange rate known as the activating threshold. However, if the reference rate has exceeded this by the time the contract reaches maturity, Mistral will find itself obliged to accept the guaranteed protection rate.
Dynamic forwards with capped activating participation differ slightly from the previous two contracts. As with other dynamic forwards, a business can use them to protect its sales margins with a guaranteed protection rate. Its ability to benefit from favourable FX market fluctuations is limited to a capped exchange rate at the payment date, known as the activating threshold. A participation rate is also set, above the guaranteed protection rate and below the activating threshold. While the business can benefit from a reference rate at maturity that climbs up to the activating threshold, it will be obliged to avail of the participation rate if this threshold is surpassed.
A European mid-cap named Pampero places an order for goods costing $120,000 (USD), which it will pay in 12 months. At the time of order, the exchange rate is EUR 1 = USD 1.2000.
Using a dynamic forward contract with capped activating participation, Pampero can benefit from a guaranteed protection rate of EUR 1 = USD 1.1925 for its invoice. Opting for this dynamic forward variant enables the business to benefit from a favourable FX market development up to a specified exchange rate known as the activating threshold. However, if the reference rate has exceeded this by the time the contract reaches maturity, Pampero will find itself obliged to accept the participation rate instead. This nonetheless sits above the protection, with both rates are determined at set-up.
FX forward contracts are designed to neutralise foreign exchange risk, which is a major challenge for businesses making regular foreign-currency payments. Currency market volatility can bear a negative impact on sales margins, making forwards a compelling option for businesses in this position. Dynamic forwards eliminate risk and enable businesses to benefit from potentially advantageous currency fluctuations, but they come in many forms.
Dynamic forwards with full participation guarantee a future exchange rate either above or equal to the spot rate, but they involve a set-up charge. Those with partial participation require no such fee, but the benefits of favourable FX movements are limited to a mere proportion of the future payment. Dynamic forwards with capped, activating or capped activating participation all set a limit on both the amount the contracting party can gain or lose out on as a result of forex market volatility, with varying levels of risk.
The forward contract your business chooses will depend on the volume of your multicurrency payments and the volatility observed in the currency pairs you’re accustomed to. But all SMEs and mid-caps making cross-border payments should consider a proactive currency hedging strategy. Ignoring currency risk is a major oversight for any business serious about protecting its margins. The strength of dynamic forwards lies in going beyond mere risk protection, offering the opportunity to harness FX market volatility and benefit from it too.