Tag Archives: CFDs

Saxo Bank Video Looks at Post-quake Japanese Investment Opportunities

Saxo Bank has released a new Equity Focus video featuring the company’s Equity Strategist Peter Garnry. The video looks at what the possible implications for investors interested in the Japanese stock market are in the short and long-term, with the total impact and cost of the massive earthquake in Japan, related tsunamis and nuclear crisis still unclear. The Bank of Japan has introduced a series of policy easing measures but there is still doubt that this will be enough to create market stability in the Japanese stock market.

Comparing Japan’s current situation to the state of the country’s market following the huge earthquake which occurred in the city of Kobe in 1995, Peter Garnry commented that the stock market remained steady in the days following that disaster but people underestimated its effects and within four months the market had fallen by 25%. When asked whether this was due to the Kobe earthquake hitting a large industrial area of Japan rather than the coastal areas devastated by the recent quake (although some car manufacturing and electronics plants were forced to stop production) Garnry replied that the effect on the market will only be known in the coming months. He also stated that the aftermath of the earthquake could be a great opportunity for many investors to be exposed to Japanese stocks and subsequently invest in them.

With the current disaster coming on top of an already exorbitant national debt status there are increased concerns that the Japanese economy could be pushed back into recession. Meanwhile, major Japanese exporters are being hurt by forced shutdowns due to power shortages, while the yen, at least for now, is supported by the Bank of Japan’s massive liquidity injection into the banking system. As it’s still early days there’s a chance that just a few months down the road the impact on Japan’s economy and currency might be somewhat different and this could result in some interesting investment opportunities in large Japanese export driven stocks.

About Saxo Bank:
Saxo Bank is an online trading and investment specialist, enabling clients to trade Forex, CFDs, Stocks, Futures, Options and other derivatives, as well as providing portfolio management via SaxoWebTrader and SaxoTrader, the leading online forex trading platforms. The three specialised and fully integrated trading platforms; the browser-based SaxoWebTrader, the downloadable SaxoTrader and the SaxoMobileTrader application are available in over 20 languages. The Saxo Bank website features a wealth of investment advice, trading products, market news and analysis, including forex videos.

Via EPR Network
More Financial press releases

TradingFloor.com Releases Video On European Growth

TradingFloor.com, the home of Saxo Bank’s trading commentary, financial research and analysis, has released a video discussing the current European growth.

The European growth situation is particularly in focus, with quite a bit of key macro data being published which is expected to confirm the ‘growth story’. In the video Mads Koefoed, macro strategist at Saxo Bank’s TradingFloor.com discusses the growth in Europe and in the U.S.

Mads first discusses Eurozone industrial production in addition to the Eurozone and some individual members’ GDP reports. The industrial production numbers of -0.1% were a little below consensus expectations but above TradingFloor.com’s expectations of -0.4%. Even though the numbers had declined, the manufacturing sector is still growing strongly in the Eurozone. The declining numbers are thought to be attributed to the very strong November numbers, which saw industrial production rising 1.4% month on month, so some give back is it to be expected in December’s numbers. The very poor weather in December will also have had some affect on production numbers. Mads expects the numbers to improve for January.

The overall GDP reports were also fairly good and what was expected. Countries like Spain performed better than expected with a result of 2% up. With Germany continuing to drive the Eurozone, Mads predicts a fairly robust growth in the Eurozone in the fourth quarter.

Furthermore, also in focus is a meeting of Europe’s Finance Ministers and any indications of increasing the debt stability of southern Eurozone members. While Mads does not foresee much news coming out of the event, he does foresee them discussing the Germany and France proposal to put in place a measure against debt increase to hopefully ensure a more harmonized corporate tax system in the Eurozone, despite other leaders not being completely behind this.

Via EPR Network
More
Financial press releases

Saxo Bank Releases Quarterly Outlook For Q4 2010

In its economic outlook for the fourth quarter of 2010, Saxo Bank recognises growing optimism in recent months due to a strong earnings season but the state of the US economy still overshadows these results. Saxo Bank, the trading and investment specialist, expects final sales to remain weak in the second half of 2010 and into 2011 and the unemployment rate to continue to hover just below 10% in the fourth quarter.

Commenting on the outlook, David Karsbøl, Saxo Bank’s Chief Economist said: “With the S&P 500 currently trading around the same level as it did at the beginning of the year, and with the lack of investments due to a weak housing market, the ongoing trouble in Southern Europe, and most developed economies, Saxo Bank fears that a cold front will stall, bringing more challenges and adversity going into 2011.”

Equities rely on the notion that the impressive earnings growth rates, recorded in earlier quarters, can be sustained. According to the Bank, the trouble is that earnings growth currently comes almost exclusively from one source: margin expansion, and while productivity gains can only take income to a certain level, sales growth must soon step up to the challenge.

The Bank predicts that spending at state and local levels remains a downward trend as policymakers scramble to balance their budgets. Despite the fact that the recession is generally perceived to have ended in the summer of 2009, it is still very much a reality at state and local levels.

“Double dip fears re-emerged over the summer as the deceleration in the US economy progressed as predicted in our 2010 Yearly Outlook. We expect growth to come to a complete halt in the fourth quarter of 2010 as consumption deleverages, the manufacturing sector will slow down, and investments will be negatively affected by the weak housing market. Unfortunately, the risk of a double dip, within the next few quarters, is substantial in our view.” Karsbøl added.

The Quarterly Outlook Q4 2010 focuses on the following areas: general market comment, macros forecast, FX outlook, equity outlook, commodity outlook and policy rates.

Via EPR Network
More
Financial press releases

Saxo Bank Releases New Monthly Equity Research On Value Stocks In tradingfloor.com

Saxo Bank, the specialist in online trading and investment, has launched a new monthly equity research publication entitled “Global Value Equity Strategy” focused on highlighting the most undervalued stocks from around the world. It will appear each month on the Equities section of www.tradingfloor.com.

The “Global Value Equity Strategy” will highlight a value portfolio on 30 of the most undervalued stocks from around the world according to a proprietary equity screening model. Each issue of the publication will included back testing results and performance evaluation of the live portfolio.

“One of the many advantages of such a value strategy is that the investment horizon is longer, usually one year or more, eliminating short-term volatility currently prevalent in equity markets,” said Christian Blaabjerg, chief equity strategist at Saxo Bank. “Equity related investment letters are widely distributed on the Internet nowadays. Few of them, however, focus on undervalued securities.”

The “Global Value Equity Strategy” report includes a brief introduction to value stocks, how to recognize them and why investing in them is likely to generate superior returns compared to widely used benchmarks. The phrases “growth stocks” and “value stocks” appear fairly often in financial reports and publications and the “Global Value Equity Strategy” explains that a growth stock is a company, often large and well-known, which has generated high and stable earnings growth over a longer period of time. Investors tend to value such stocks higher as they extrapolate historical growth into the future. The problem is that only few stocks are able to maintain such earnings growth for a long time and competition typically results in a slowdown, eroding margins and market share for growth companies. This seems to explain why they tend to be inferior investments.

Via EPR Network
More
Financial press releases

Saxo Bank Joins SunGard As Co-Title Sponsor In 2011

It has been announced that Saxobank, the trading and investment specialist, is to become a co-title sponsor with SunGard, one of the world’s leading software and technology services companies.

Following the announcement during the Tour de France that SunGard had agreed to become co-title sponsor for the next two years, Bjarne Riis, owner and manager of Riis Cycling A/S, revealed at a press conference in Copenhagen that Saxo Bank will be the other co-title sponsor in 2011. The Team will be called “Saxo Bank-SunGard Professional Cycling Team”.

Bjarne Riis said: “I am very happy to announce Saxo Bank and SunGard as future partners. With these two companies committed to the team, we have a solid financial foundation for the future. Saxo Bank and SunGard have ensured that the Team can continue its essential role within the world of cycling and will be able to maintain competing at the highest level. With Saxo Bank and SunGard as two strong backers, our future looks very bright. I am grateful for their commitment and I am confident that this will be mutually beneficial to all involved.”

Based on the prospects presented by the Team for 2011, Saxo Bank has taken a strategic decision to sponsor the Team for one more year. Saxo Bank has sponsored the Team since 2008 but took over as main title sponsor on 1 January 2009. According to the Bank, the sponsorship has already achieved great branding results and increased Saxo Bank’s name recognition around the world. Saxo Bank’s decision to continue the sponsorship for yet another year is based on a genuine wish to support the Team but also a commercial decision to further build on the advantages that Saxo Bank believes is extended through this additional commitment to the Team. The new, unnamed sponsor, announced during the Tour de France, was willing to step aside in order for the Team’s new plans to materialize.

In a joint statement, Kim Fournais and Lars Seier Christensen, Co-CEOs and co-founders of Saxo Bank, said: “Bjarne Riis has delivered excellent results over the past couple of years and has an impressive plan for 2011.We believe it’s important to recognize an unprecedented opportunity when you see one and therefore, we have decided to continue our sponsorship for one more year. In Saxo Bank, we always aim for the top and we believe Bjarne Riis and his Team can reach that goal next year. While our past collaboration with Bjarne Riis has been fantastic, we also know and trust the new co-title sponsor, SunGard, and that has made this strategic decision an even easier one to make.”

Via EPR Network
More
Financial press releases

Saxo Bank Celebrates Success Of Its Sponsorship During Tour De France

With Andy Schleck as team leader, the Saxo Bank team won four stages, the youth competition and finished in second place overall. Saxo Bank remained front and centre as the cycling drama unfolded, from Fabian Cancellara’s time trial win in the Rotterdam prologue and Andy Schleck’s seventeenth stage victory in the Pyrenees Mountains to the finale on Avenue des Champs-Élysées.

Bringing Saxo Bank fans together to support the team during this year’s Tour de France was an important goal for Saxo Bank in its third season as sponsor of the team. The online bank organised on-site events that let fans and clients experience the race closer than ever before. In Rotterdam, Bruxelles, Avoriaz and Paris, hundreds of guests were given a chance to watch the race as VIPs, meet the riders for autographs and photos and see the mechanics working on the bikes.

Saxo Bank also provided exclusive online coverage on its website, Saxobanktakingthelead.com, including incredible behind-the-scenes looks at Team Saxo Bank’s tactics, training and, of course, the bikes. In addition to the website, Saxo Bank knit the community of cycling enthusiasts and Saxo Bank fans together with real-time race updates and the latest Tour de France developments directly on their computer or mobile phones via Twitter and other social media activities.

Saxo Bank’s Tour de France facts and figures:

– Searches for the Saxo Bank brand on Google doubled over the course of the Tour. – The saxobanktakingthelead.com website had an increase of 459.79% growth in absolute Unique Visitors during the Tour.
– The Saxobank Twitter feed received a record 4,678 followers.

Via EPR Network
More
Financial press releases

Saxo Bank Launches Forex Education Programme On Facebook

Saxo Bank has announced the addition of a Forex Trading Education tab to its Saxo Forex fan page on Facebook, allowing traders of all experience levels to enhance their Forex trading knowledge and gain new insights into the psychology of trading.

Facebook has over 400 million users worldwide, and a growing number of companies are moving to the platform to educate and communicate with customers. The Saxo Forex Facebook page has seen a rapid growth in number of ‘fans’, Facebook’s term for users who show interest in the company and automatically receive all updates of the page. Since its launch in February the page has attracted over 5,500 fans, a large percentage of whom read new posts and follow discussions on a daily basis. The page enables users to participate in Forex trading discussions and stay informed of upcoming events, such as seminars.

Many Facebook users with little trading background discovered the page as well, and asked for ways to improve their Forex Trading knowledge. Saxo Bank formulated an education application that is useful for traders of all experience levels. The programme consists of beginner, intermediate, advanced and expert sections. The application will soon be recieving an update, giving visitors the opportunity to test their knowledge beforehand in order to help them decide at which level to start learning. The update will also give users the option to post their progress in the education section on their wall, which will be visible to this person’s contacts.

Educating clients has always been one of Saxo Bank’s strengths. TradeMentor, its existing education programme, offers online and offline course materials on both Forex Trading and CFD Trading and the company aims to reach a broader audience with the Facebook application, giving users the opportunity to discuss the topics with other traders.

Via EPR Network
More
Financial press releases

Saxo Bank On Track With Sound Results For 2009

Saxo Bank, the online trading and investment specialist, has announced that it has received sound and steady results for 2009 and achieved a positive emergence from the financial crisis.

Business picked up during the second half of 2009 after a relatively slow beginning to the year. Operating income for the year was DKK 2,228 million compared to DKK 2,518 million in 2008. Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) was DKK 441 million while net profit was DKK 201 million with 80% earned in the second half of the year.

As of 31 December 2009, the solvency ratio was 19%. The Bank’s Internal Capital Adequacy Assessment (ICAAP) process showed a minimum capital requirement of 8%.

The founders and CEOs of Saxo Bank, Kim Fournais and Lars Seier Christensen, said in a joint statement:

“Saxo Bank is a trading, investment and savings specialist not engaged in traditional lending activities and not dependant on traditional loan financing business. That has worked to our advantage in what was a very difficult year for everyone. Saxo Bank’s business model has shown some resilience to the financial crisis and we are satisfied with the results.

“2009 was a year of geographical expansion and establishing new business areas. We opened five new offices and our Asset Management business grew significantly. The new Saxo Equity Platform, which was launched in March 2010, sets the stage for a year, which will be characterised by new products and platform developments. Even though such investments have no or limited impact on income in the short run, we believe it is the right time to take advantage of the many opportunities available to take the Bank to the next level.”

The value of clients’ collateral deposits related to the trading business increased more than 70% to DKK 15 billion as of 31 December 2009. On 1 April 2010 it was more than DKK 17 billion.

In 2009, Saxo Asset Management was launched to cater for the top segment of High-Net-Worth Investors. The new business area is the combined concept of three asset management businesses acquired in 2009. The asset management activities of the Bank now include expertise within Danish bonds, Nordic Stocks, high-yield and emerging market bonds. The acquired companies, Sirius, Capital Four and the 51% stake in Global Evolution, grew assets under management organically from approximately DKK 10 DKK billion at the time of acquisition to more than DKK 20 billion as of 31 December 2009. On 1 April 2010 it had grown another 25% to DKK 25 billion.

Saxo Bank is a Forex, CFDs and Futures trading specialist and has no engagement in traditional lending activities. However, in response to the instability and lack of confidence in the financial markets, Saxo Bank chose to join the Danish state’s Guarantee Scheme (Private Contingency Association). On 24 March 2010, a majority in the Danish Parliament agreed on a new guarantee scheme, which would bring deposit guarantees into line with European Union rules. The new guarantee scheme is set to take effect from 1 October 2010. All Danish banks are covered by the scheme.

Via EPR Network
More
Financial press releases

Saxo Bank Launches Property Investment Products

Saxo Bank, the online trading and investment specialist, will now offer property investment products for both private clients and institutional investors through a new company, Saxo Properties.

Saxo Bank Launches Property Investment Products

The newly formed investment firm Saxo Properties, fully owned by Saxo Bank, will launch closed-ended funds for both high net worth clients and institutional investors. Two of the Danish real estate industry’s most well-known individuals, Jesper Damborg and Claus Klostermann, will respectively become CEO and managing director of investments at Saxo Properties.

“Initially, Saxo Properties will focus on handpicked Copenhagen residential, office and retail properties. The first fund will close within the next three months, but we intend to establish a number of funds with a significant ownership capital of at least DKK 250 million,” said Jesper Damborg.

Saxo Bank’s business model is often described as a facilitator model where the bank through its trading platforms offers liquidity, products and services to clients as obtained from other financial institutions. Saxo Properties will use the same model. Saxo Bank has hired Flemming Schandorff, the former COO of ISS, one of the world’s largest commercial providers of facility services, to a similar position at Saxo Properties to facilitate administration of the estates.

“First and foremost, Saxo Properties will prioritize achieving attractive market returns, but we will also focus on how to capitalize on tight cost control and good management, such as rebuilding, mixed lease and general maintenance,” said Jesper Damborg.

Saxo Bank’s CEOs and founders, Kim Fournais and Lars Seier Christensen, said in a joint statement: “Saxo Bank holds asset under management of DKK 40 billion, and our focus on asset management has proved a great success. Many clients have asked for property investment products and there is also a clear synergy between Saxo Asset Management and Saxo Properties, which we can now utilize. Many properties are traded at a low price especially in Copenhagen, so the timing is right to expand our asset management to include property investment products.”

Last year, Saxo Bank bought Sirius Asset Management, Capital Four and 51 percent of Global Evolution. The three companies now form Saxo Asset Management, which has management expertise for Danish bonds, Danish equities, corporate bonds and emerging market bonds.

Via EPR Network
More
Financial press releases

Agricote And Saxo Banque France Partner

Saxo Banque France, the online investment and trading specialist, has announced an exclusive partnership with Agricote, the agricultural broker, allowing farmers to manage their selling prices and negotiate agricultural or commodity futures and CFDS online using the award winning SaxoTrader platform.

The partnership with Agricote reflects the evolution of the agricultural industry, and the reality that a new generation of farmers want to control their production and sales, using futures to hedge their output and manage risk. Using SaxoTrader, the partnership enables both producers and buyers to manage market volatility and trade agricultural futures and CFDs online 24 hours a day, with access to 23 stock exchanges.

Commenting on the partnership, Pierre de Perthuis, co-founding partner of Agricote, said: “Our partnership with Saxo Banque will enable farmers to move forward and manage their own production and sales. Farmers no longer want to suffer from the pressures imposed by a volatile market, and seeing farmers taking positions on an online future trading platform is an innovative step forward for the industry. We are very proud to support these pioneers. Farmers are now able to control their destiny”.

Pierre-Antoine Dusoulier, CEO of Saxo Banque France added: “We are pleased to partner with Agricote and acknowledge that the agricultural industry is changing and needs strong support. Agricote was looking for a trusted partner and we met its requirements: Saxo Banque is a perennial French Bank and we have a highly efficient online trading platform and services for fast deployment.”

Main characteristics of the partnership:
– Privileged access to International Futures Markets
– Ability to adopt and implement own marketing strategy
– An appropriate account with user profile
– Trading account access via PC, website or cell phone
– Personalized assistance by Agricote
– A free demo account for 20 days

Farmers will be able to access their online trading platform via a dedicated page on the Agricote website.

Via EPR Network
More
Financial press releases

Trading Floor To Open Up Trading Information For Forex And Equities

Saxo Bank, the online trading and investment specialist, is addressing the problem of market information overload with its TradeMaker module to complement its trading platforms, as well as a new Trading floor website.

Trading Floor

The information barriers of the past that limited trading to professional traders with a Bloomberg or a Reuter’s screen have long gone. The quantity of trading information and Forex news available to all types of traders on a home or business PC has increased to such an extent that now it is possible to trade not only stocks, but also Forex and more exotic instruments such as Futures and CFDs.

But while speed is vital when making trading decisions, speed without solid strategic insight won’t bring any advantages. The main problem is that as the cost of information has fallen, the volume has increased accordingly. Trying to find a way through this jungle of FX crosses, quotes and trades is sometimes a challenge even for the most experienced trader.

TradeMaker is a real-time trading idea generator that is part of Saxo Bank’s award winning trading platforms. It provides ten daily intra-day trading ideas on major currency crosses and CFDs including intuitive charts and interface, as well as one click pre-populated trade tickets or the ability to tailor the idea to personal trading strategies.

“Using the information and services provided by TradeMaker, we hope to be encouraging those traders that are looking to enter the market but need more direction,” said Patrick Mortensen, Global Head of Partner Marketing at Saxo Bank.

“We have already received feedback that tells us users actually feel more secure in their trading decisions, as TradeMaker enables them to better identify and manage the risks involved in the market,” said Patrick Mortensen.

The advent of the electronic trading platform has brought an end to the ‘open outcry’ of busy, noisy trading floors. As traders have retreated behind desks and screens, the shouting, signaling and pulling faces have disappeared. And with it has gone some of the human interaction that helped inform the markets.

Trading Floor is an attempt by Saxo Bank to bring some of that noise back by getting the markets rubbing shoulders, dealing – and shouting. Trading Floor provides up to date, forex news and market place analysis.

The aim of the new Tradingfloor site is to bring market participants together through the web site. Saxo Bank provides the web site and the expertise of its strategists and analysts and those of its partners.

The Daily Trading Stance is the mainstay of Tradingfloor’s daily offering. It is the position that Saxo bank’s own strategists distribute to traders with a rundown of the main themes of the day in FX, equities, futures, and FX options.

The commentary is prepared by Saxo Bank’s Chief Economist David Karsbøl and Saxo Bank’s Equity Strategist Christian Tegllund Blaabjerg, with additional advice from Forex expert John hardy, who was named as one of the most influential people in Forex in 2008. Commodities expertise is provided by Ole S Hansen and Alan Plaughmann. Tradingfloor.com also has its own YouTube Trading Floor channel which is updated daily with the day’s trading information and delivered by David or Christian.

The speed of trading has picked up tremendously in recent years with the use of automated and semi-automated systems. But the systems are only as good as the information they receive. The key to success in online trading is to find reliable sources of solid tradable information.

About Trading Floor:
Trading Floor is run by Saxo Bank – a global investment bank specialising in online trading and investment across the international financial markets. Trading Floor provides up to date forex news and market place analysis.

Via EPR Network
More Financial press releases