CLS Group has just released its latest volumes and aggregation services statistics for the month ending July 2018. Markets took a slightly more subdued tone during the summer month, also reflecting mitigated Volatility that yielded an influence and decline in trading statistics.
While July had multiple events and other political developments that helped drive geopolitical fears, these did not seem to dramatically move the needle across currency markets. FX volumes had previously managed to break out of range-bound trading cycles, and for the most part, July’s figures are stronger than earlier this year.
However, during July 2018, despite pairs seeing some degree of movement, institutional venues could not build on previous monthly growth in volumes. For its part, CLS Group's latest statistics were able to outperform their 2017 counterparts, though incurred a monthly decline in key figures.
CLS statistics drift lower during summer
In terms of the latest statistics, the average daily traded volume submitted to CLS was down in July 2018. The official reading came in at $1.638 trillion, down by 13.7 percent month-over-month from $1.899 trillion in June 2018. Across a yearly timetable, the figure was pointed higher, however, corresponding to a growth of 2.6 percent relative to June 2017’s reading of $1.596 trillion.
In July 2018, CLS also reported its Swaps volumes at $1.115 trillion, falling approximately 14.4 percent month-over-month from $1.303 trillion from June 2018. Once again, across a yearly timetable, the latest figures were seen to be climbing, reflecting a climb of seven percent from $1.042 trillion in June 2017.
Looking at CLS’ spot FX volume, the group reported a figure at $416.0 billion in July 2018, declining by 16.4 percent month-over-month from $498.0 billion in June 2018 – its worst performing segment for the month. Despite the decline, this figure was higher compared to $453.0 billion set in June 2017.
CLS’ forwards business meanwhile bucked a trend and managed to grow in July 2018, relative to the month prior. This segment yielded a figure of $107.0 billion, compared to just $97.0 billion in June 2018. The reading was higher by over 5.9 percent year-over-year from $101.0 billion in June 2017.
Of note, the slowdown has occurred after a record H1 for CLS Group, suggesting more of a seasonal slowdown.
