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Forex trading set to soar in the GCC, according to ADS Securities

The UAE is establishing itself as a leading centre for forex trading

DUBAI: 30 October 2011 - In just six months, ADS Securities , the Abu Dhabi based forex and commodities trading platform, has established a liquid and dynamic FX marketplace in the Middle East, which is attracting investors from financial centres around the world.

Speaking ahead of FX Invest Middle East being held in Dubai (31^st October 2011), Claus Nouveau-Nikolajsen, ADS Securities , Head of Sales, GCC & MENA, explained the benefits of FX trading in the region and the service that ADS Securities offers: "As markets experience unprecedented volatility, and investors shy away from traditional investment options like equities and real estate, forex is becoming the investment class of choice in the GCC. With high levels of volatility becoming the norm, rather than the exception, forex is now seen as perhaps the only investment class that presents investors with opportunities to gain the returns they are looking for."

"Since the launch of our platform we have had a rapid rise in the number and range of investors trading forex. In particular, regional traders realise that they can create alpha with a local player offering some of the best prices and spreads in the world without the additional costs associated with overseas firms who only have sales operations based in the Middle East."

Economic uncertainty and unprecedented currency fluctuations have led to exponential growth in the global forex market whose daily turnover is estimated at US$4 trillion, three times as much as the rest of the financial markets combined. Over the past few weeks, many major currency pairs have seen exceptional levels of trading. Euro/Dollar recently recorded its highest volatility since the height of the financial crisis in late 2008. "Intra-day volatility today has grown to extremely high levels and as global economic worries show no sign of abating, this is expected to continue," pointed out Nikolajsen.

Forex trading in the GCC has responded to global trends. The weakness of the US dollar has made businesses in the region pay close attention to their exposure to currency risks. "Over the last few years, the US dollar has been comparatively stable, so there was little need for currencies pegged to the US dollar to manage their treasury positions. Recent volatility and decline in liquidity across traditional markets have created a real need for sophisticated currency management," Nikolajsen said.

In response to the needs of the market, ADS Securities has developed a trading platform, which can provide businesses and investors in the GCC exceptional control over their currency trading and the ability to benefit from market fluctuations. ADS Securities works with some of the world's largest and best known liquidity providers to offer clients market leading prices and spreads.

As the GCC forex market grows, Nikolajsen feels that the UAE is set to emerge as the hub of forex trading in the region. "The UAE has been at the forefront of financial industry development in the GCC and offers the most conducive environment for the growth of the forex marketplace and infrastructure. Trading of both major and emerging market currencies in the UAE is on the rise, and with international trade growing rapidly, the need for currency management will only increase. The expected upgrade of the UAE to emerging market status by index provider MSCI will have a significant impact on investment flows into the country, which in turn will also boost the country's forex market."

ADS Securities is a Principal Sponsor of the inaugural FX Invest Middle East conference taking place in Dubai on 31 October, 2011. Nikolajsen will be speaking about approaches for maximising returns in the forex market at a panel discussion at the event titled 'The search for alpha: Investment approaches for today's market'.

Businesses and traders interested in opening an account with ADS Securities can find more information on www.ads-securities.com

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About ADS Securities
Abu Dhabi-based ADS Securities is a forex and commodities trading firm which brings significant new opportunities to participants in the global and regional forex, commodities, futures and options markets. ADS Securities offers a comprehensive set of on and off-line services and tools designed to help institutional, professional and high-net-worth participants trade with high efficiency, speed and simplicity. The company is led by a multi-national management team with a wide range of international experience, having worked some of the world's leading securities trading companies and banks.

The company started operations in March 2011 and offers a deep range of market-leading pricing on bid/offer spreads across all major currency pairs and in all trade sizes. ADS Securities is building a large network of liquidity providers (LPs), including tier 1 and 2 banks and financial institutions, Electronic Communications Networks (ECNs), FX and commodity exchanges and brokers. The company's location in Abu Dhabi allows it to provide extended support to clients in the East and West beyond normal trading hours and days. ADS Securities provides clients 24/ 6 trade support through a team of experienced sales traders and chief dealer who work proactively to provide the timely advice and assistance necessary for successful trade execution. A diligent in-house operations and risk teams constantly monitor and manage the post-trade cycle to reduce risk to a minimum.

To trade forex, precious metals, commodities, futures, options and more visit www.ads-securities.com. ADS Securities is part of the ADS Holding Group and is regulated and licensed by the UAE Central Bank, and was established with initial capital of US$400 million.

For more information please contact:
Stephen Davie - Communications Director
Tel: +971 2 654 7663
Mob: +971 566852878
Email: SGD.MKT@ads-holding.com

© Press Release 2011