: There seems to be so much research available its becoming difficult to differenti-ate between one service and other. What should we look for in our choice of online FX research provider?

It is true that there has been a huge expansion in the amount and type of FX re-search available online (and by other electronic media), as the internet opens up the potential to deliver more research to a broader customer base. However, the internet also provides the opportunity to target research more specifically to individual cus-tomers needs, and some research providers are now starting to utilise this potential. This has certainly been the approach adopted by BNP Paribas, where the FX Dealer Portal allows the customer to select and filter the FX Strategy research they require, ensuring that the research they receive is the research they need. Also customers can request the format in which they receive the research.

: How easy is it for us to get a tailored FX research offering as opposed to being overloaded with lots of trade information which we didnt ask for and dont really need?

One of the major advantages of web based research is that it opens the opportunity to provide customers with tailor made research. Indeed, the ability to select specific aspects of research from the broad range on offer is a powerful tool and one that is being made increasingly available to customers. This is one area where BNP Pari-bas FX Strategy has put a lot of emphasis. Indeed, the BNP Paribas FX Strategy product is now fully web based which enables the customer to tailor make their own e-mail alerts, which are sent directly from the website. This ensures that the research the customer receives is relevant and timely. Customisation of web pages is also be-coming widely available and is a major part of the functionality within the BNP Pari-bas Global Markets portal, which provides cross market research capabilities, also covering bond, interest rate and credit markets in addition to FX.

: We are a Fund manager looking for fairly short term, live, research content coupled with very specific trading strategies. Do any FX providers offer this degree of cus-tomised product?

The internet provides the delivery channel making live interactive research and con-tent possible to a broader customer base. Services which had previously only been available internally to banks' traders are now becoming more widely available to in-dividual external customers. Many FX providers are now providing the ability for customers to carry out their own research with the provider's proprietary tools run-ning live over the internet. BNP Paribas for example provides access to live com-ments from its strategists 24 hours a day, including specific trading strategies and recommendations. The live daily trading strategies with P/L and full track record is one of the most visited sections of the BNP Paribas FX Dealer Portal. Live technical trading models and charting tools are also provided, along with a comprehensive range of quantitative models.

: We would like to get more cross-asset class research information and economic data, particularly correlation analysis of FX rates against other markets, to help us with our FX investment strategies. Are there any cross-asset class analytical tools available to help us achieve this?

Cross-market analysis is also far more available now as global markets are seen as becoming increasingly integrated. This is particularly true of foreign exchange as ac-tivity in fixed income, equity and commodity markets have a significant impact on FX. Many research providers offer research from across different asset classes. At BNP Paribas not only are full cross market research capabilities provided by the new Global Markets Portal, relevant research and analytical tools from other asset classes are incorporated directly in to the FX Portal. The BNP Paribas Cross Market Overview available on the FX Dealer Portal is proving a highly popular reference tool. Also customers have direct access to BNP Paribas' comprehensive databases enabling quantitative analysis of FX, bond, interest rate and equity markets, including cross asset class correlation studies.

: As a hedge fund that treats FX options as an asset class, we have a growing need for sophisticated analytical requirements on currency derivatives. What sort of func-tionality can online research products offer us for our Option strategies?

Online option research is one of the most rapidly growing areas, where in addition to live option volatilities, the tools to price and analyse increasingly sophisticated trad-ing strategies are now becoming available. BNP Paribas also makes available its database of option market data, including volatilities and risk reversals so customers can perform their own analysis, in addition to option market analysis and trading ideas from BNP Paribas' strategists. Research on other structured FX products are also provided on BNP Paribas' FX Dealer Portal.

: Are there any advantages in looking to one portal or website for a comprehensive suite of FX research offerings such as valuation tools, currency forecasting, trade recommendations and strategic advice etc or would it be better to seek bespoke of-ferings from different providers?

Although online research is now becoming more tailored to the individual user, mak-ing it more practical to manage research from multiple sources, many customers are still likely to find there is little incentive to switch between websites. So providing comprehensive online FX research is essential, not only to provide a service for customers using a single source, but also to be able to provide a bespoke research service. Customers are in the driving seat and are likely to become increasingly spe-cific in requesting the research they require and the way in which they want it deliv-ered.

: We are interested in FX Indices. Are there any bank generated Indices available online?

Many banks now produce their own FX Indices, mainly for benchmarking and ana-lytical purposes, covering a whole range of different currencies (areas) and other factors impacting foreign exchange markets. BNP Paribas Global Bias Indices, which track relative strength among a group of selected currencies are extremely popular and the BNP Paribas FX Funds Index has also been attracting significant attention recently. This particular index tracks the performance of systematically based FX hedge funds and CTA's and provides an insight in to market positioning among this investor group.

: We are keen to develop our own FX trading strategies. What sort of online analyti-cal tools are now available to assist us to do this and do any allow us to test our ideas?Technical analysis packages are now being made widely available online to help technical traders. While many of these are off the shelf packages, BNP Paribas FX Strategy has designed and built its own comprehensive technical analysis tools to meet the needs of its customers. This product has been designed by technical trad-ers for technical traders and allows customers to carry out live technical analysis, using all the major technical tools.

: As we work with trading models we rely on comprehensive and reliable sources of real-time market information to assist us with our high frequency trading needs. What types of FX research are now being delivered on a real-time basis?

One of the advantages of online research is the ability to deliver live real time re-search to the customer. As well as live prices, most FX research providers also make available live commentary from their FX Strategists, especially after important data releases and events. In addition BNP Pariba