DMM Markets FX Volumes in April Fall 9%, Lowest Since December 2012

by Victor Golovtchenko
  • Release of volume numbers for April at the second biggest Japanese brokerage confirm that the low volatility which has engulfed the FX markets is contributing to a drop to levels unseen since late 2012.
DMM Markets FX Volumes in April Fall 9%, Lowest Since December 2012
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The second largest FX broker by volume in Japan, DMM Markets has released its figures for the month of April and the results are no different from what we have seen in the past couple of days. A stiff drop by 9% to $469.3 billion (¥48.2 trillion) marks the third consecutive month of declines at the Japanese powerhouse.

After a stellar rise of 55% in January, the figures have embarked on a sharp reversal trend as Japanese yen trading has settled into tight ranges. The consolidation led to a back-to-back drop in volumes in February and March.

The figures come as no surprise as we have already seen substantially lower levels during the month from GMO Click. With the European side of business joining the party and Saxo Bank announcing their lowest number since they started publicising their figures in January 2013, it’s now up to the markets to decide whether May will be any better.

Historically in FX, periods of low volatility have always been followed by swift shifts to periods of high Volatility , however there is no telling where the bottom is this time as last week CBOE’s euro volatility indicator dropped to its lowest level since inception - just below 5.40. The number measures the market's expectations of 30-day volatility of the $US/Euro Exchange rate and is derived from the board of options on the CurrencyShares Euro Trust, which is an ETF dedicated to the single European currency.

dmm-fx-logo

The second largest FX broker by volume in Japan, DMM Markets has released its figures for the month of April and the results are no different from what we have seen in the past couple of days. A stiff drop by 9% to $469.3 billion (¥48.2 trillion) marks the third consecutive month of declines at the Japanese powerhouse.

After a stellar rise of 55% in January, the figures have embarked on a sharp reversal trend as Japanese yen trading has settled into tight ranges. The consolidation led to a back-to-back drop in volumes in February and March.

The figures come as no surprise as we have already seen substantially lower levels during the month from GMO Click. With the European side of business joining the party and Saxo Bank announcing their lowest number since they started publicising their figures in January 2013, it’s now up to the markets to decide whether May will be any better.

Historically in FX, periods of low volatility have always been followed by swift shifts to periods of high Volatility , however there is no telling where the bottom is this time as last week CBOE’s euro volatility indicator dropped to its lowest level since inception - just below 5.40. The number measures the market's expectations of 30-day volatility of the $US/Euro Exchange rate and is derived from the board of options on the CurrencyShares Euro Trust, which is an ETF dedicated to the single European currency.

About the Author: Victor Golovtchenko
Victor Golovtchenko
  • 3423 Articles
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About the Author: Victor Golovtchenko
  • 3423 Articles
  • 7 Followers

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