July Sees Rollercoaster Ride For Australian Dollar

The Australian Dollar (AUD) and Sterling (GBP) went on a rollercoaster ride in the last week of July where we witnessed a four cent shift in currency in just one day.

With the start of the world wide unwind of carry trades- where off shore investors have invested heavily in high yielding currency such as the AUD financed by selling low-interest rate currencies like the yen or Swiss franc, and the worst two day loss on the U.S Stock Markets since 2003 what this produced was four volatile days on the currency markets.

On Wednesday (25th July) the Pound against Australian Dollar (GBP/AUD) was sitting at 2.3143, by that afternoon it had moved to 2.3602. The following Monday (30th July) GBP/AUD was sitting at 2.3924 this being a 7 cent movement. To put all of this in context if you were migrating and transferred GBP100,000 on the 25th of July you would of achieved AUD231,430. If you had transferred the same GBP100,000 on the 30th of July you would of achieved AUD239,2400 a difference of AUD7810. If we go back 12 months the same GBP100,000 would of gained you AUD251,135 a difference of AUD19,705. All of a sudden currency becomes a major part of you migration plan.

As a new migrant heading to Australia, it is critical to start monitoring the rates of exchange as soon as possible and consider the impact the currency markets will have on your new life. HIFX, the migration currency specialists, are market leaders at protecting their clients from the risks associated with fluctuating exchange rates.

But how can you protect your future wealth if your funds are tied up in other assets or have not yet been agreed? Even if you do not have all the funds available to you at this stage, you can buy currency with a forward contract. This is when you fix the rate of exchange at the time with a 10% deposit, but do not have to pay the remaining 90% until you need or have the money available.

Rates can be fixed for up to 2 years and a forward contract is flexible to allow for changing time scales. By locking into an exchange rate, you are guaranteeing your future wealth or securing the cost of any purchases in both dollars and sterling.

There is no need to put your self under pressure to change your money in one transaction and many people chose to spread the risk of volatile exchange rates by changing their money in tranches. With our office in Sydney, you can trade your currency on your arrival in your local time zone.

To discuss your requirements in more detail and for a free currency consultation please contact the Migration Team at HIFX plc on 01753 859 159 or by emailing us at migration@hifx.co.uk