• Create your own reports
• Comparison of the foreign currency portfolio with development of the reference index
• Another convenient new feature

Create your own reports

The most important addition: It is now possible to create your own reports! This is done using the newly integrated Customize function. Using it couldn't be easier:

1. Just open any existing report and click on Customize.
   
   
2. A new window will open, in which the currently activated elements – e.g. charts, tables or a combination of the two – are shown on the right.
3. On the left side is a list of the available elements in the individual groups. To open the groups, click on the “+” symbol. To close them, use the “–“ sign.
4. Simply click on the desired element, drag it with the mouse from the left to the right side of the window to the place where you would like it to be shown in the interface. The horizontal blue line indicates where the selected reporting element will be placed. Now, let go of the mouse button and the element is embedded.
   
5. To remove an element from the interface, simply reverse the process. Drag it from right to left and “drop” it in a neutral area of the window.
6. The Next button takes you to the second and final window, where you name your customized  report and have the option to set further preferences.
7. Clicking on Save finalises the report. From now on you will find it at the top left of the screen, in the Custom section of the available reports column .
8. You can Delete any report that you have created in the first of the two Customize windows. A confirmation dialogue prevents inadvertent deletions. After confirming the command, your report is permanently deleted. Standard sals.a reports cannot be deleted.

Comparison of the foreign currency portfolio with development of the reference index

A very practical new feature in the Currency Report is the comparison of the foreign currency portfolio with development of the reference index (graph: "Index of FX portfolio vs. index of FX benchmark")

In this context, the performance of transactions recorded in sals.a – comprising one or more currency pairs – is presented up to the reporting date and compared with the relevant reference curve.

Two curves are shown:

• The reference curve (“benchmark performance” / “benchmark currency development”) provides an index reflecting the performance of the currencies in your portfolio (baseline = 100%). In the case of multiple currencies, sals.a creates a weighted basket of currencies.
• The currency portfolio curve presents the performance of the currencies involved in your portfolio’s FX transactions (baseline here also 100%). Both hedging transactions and their underlying’s are included for calculation of the curve. As with the benchmark curve, if there is more than one currency involved, a weighted basket is created on the basis of the FX payment flows.

This comparison allows you to track the development of the average price level in your currency portfolio, including hedging transactions, in relation to market performance. You are also able to simulate hedging instruments based on historical data to retrospectively determine the effects that would have been achieved with their use. Both of the above curves reflect currency performance on the basis of your chosen reporting currency (this can be changed under "Preferences", if not already correctly set).

Please note: The currency portfolio curve is calculated on the basis of monthly averages (ECB fixing), which serves to balance out the effects of different monthly payment dates. The benchmark curve is also based on ECB fixing prices.

Another convenient new feature

When you switch from one of the three asset classes (interest rates, currencies or commodities) to the Reporting interface, the relevant area of Reporting opens automatically, so that you can get started without delay.

As always we welcome your comments, suggestions and compliments relating to Beta testing of the new reporting interface. This, of course, also goes for all other areas of sals.a – as you know, your input is one of the most important factors in the ongoing improvement of sals.a!