What are the most effective strategies for managing cross-border commodity price risks?

If you work abroad in a business that deals with commodities, such as oil, metals, or agricultural products, you know how volatile the prices can be. Fluctuations in supply, demand, currency exchange rates, and geopolitical events can affect your profitability and cash flow. How can you manage the risks of cross-border commodity transactions and protect your margins? Here are some effective strategies to consider.

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1 Hedge with futures or options

One way to reduce the uncertainty of commodity prices is to use hedging instruments, such as futures or options contracts. These are agreements to buy or sell a specific quantity of a commodity at a predetermined price and date in the future. By locking in a price, you can avoid the risk of adverse price movements and plan your budget accordingly. However, hedging also involves some costs, such as fees, commissions, and margin requirements. You also need to monitor the market conditions and adjust your hedge positions as needed.

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Anant T.

Oil Gas ESG Carbon CCUS Hydrogen Water LNG LPG Trading Risk Renewables CCTS ICM Climate Remote Sensing ML AI
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#Hedging often is one of the safer approaches, it is better when C-level and delegated officers view it as an exercise in #risk mitigation and loss limitation with input from all activities affected by such price exposure rather than an opportunity to earn additional income for an entity that uses such commodities in their operations ; management control would be an integral part in the decision and execution as well.

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2 Diversify your sources and markets

Another way to manage commodity price risks is to diversify your sources and markets. This means buying or selling commodities from or to different countries, regions, or suppliers. By doing so, you can reduce your exposure to a single market or currency and take advantage of price differences and arbitrage opportunities. Diversification also helps you cope with supply disruptions, demand shocks, or trade barriers that may affect a specific commodity or location. However, diversification also requires more research, coordination, and logistics.

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3 Negotiate flexible contracts

A third way to manage commodity price risks is to negotiate flexible contracts with your buyers or sellers. This means agreeing on terms that allow you to adjust the price, quantity, or delivery date of the commodity based on certain conditions or triggers. For example, you can use price escalation or de-escalation clauses, indexation clauses, or force majeure clauses to protect yourself from unexpected price changes or events. Flexible contracts can help you share the risks and benefits of commodity transactions with your counterparties and maintain good relationships.

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4 Use currency hedging or invoicing

A fourth way to manage commodity price risks is to use currency hedging or invoicing. This means minimizing the impact of exchange rate fluctuations on your commodity transactions. You can use currency hedging instruments, such as forward contracts, swaps, or options, to lock in a favorable exchange rate and avoid currency losses. You can also use currency invoicing, which means choosing the currency of the invoice that suits your needs. For example, you can invoice in your own currency, your counterparty's currency, or a third currency that is stable or appreciates.

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Anant T.

Oil Gas ESG Carbon CCUS Hydrogen Water LNG LPG Trading Risk Renewables CCTS ICM Climate Remote Sensing ML AI
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Often #currency hedging may be 'easily' available as a service if that is not possible within the entity ; it is worthwhile to devote some time to understand currency fluctuations and reasons for the same ; good management control processes may inform C-level for updates to decisions

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5 Seek expert advice

A fifth way to manage commodity price risks is to seek expert advice. This means consulting with professionals who have experience and knowledge in commodity markets, such as brokers, analysts, consultants, or advisors. They can help you analyze the trends, factors, and scenarios that affect commodity prices and provide you with guidance and recommendations on how to hedge, diversify, negotiate, or invoice your commodity transactions. They can also help you monitor and evaluate your risk management performance and make adjustments as needed.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Anant T.

Oil Gas ESG Carbon CCUS Hydrogen Water LNG LPG Trading Risk Renewables CCTS ICM Climate Remote Sensing ML AI
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It may happen that new approaches may work in the interim while commodities supplies and prices stabilize, or they may lead to better solutions as viewed from costs / eco-friendly / etc. perspectives e.g., would PVC plastic pipes substitute copper piping in new housing construction? Re-design an assembly process?

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What are the most effective strategies for managing cross-border commodity price risks?

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2

3

4

5

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1 Hedge with futures or options

2 Diversify your sources and markets

3 Negotiate flexible contracts

4 Use currency hedging or invoicing

5 Seek expert advice

6 Here’s what else to consider

Working Abroad

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What are the most effective strategies for managing cross-border commodity price risks?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Hedge with futures or options

2 Diversify your sources and markets

3 Negotiate flexible contracts

4 Use currency hedging or invoicing

5 Seek expert advice

6 Here’s what else to consider

Working Abroad

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