FX firm Argentex shares suspended after volatility-induced margin calls

LONDON (Reuters) -Shares of British currency risk management company Argentex were suspended from trading on Tuesday after the company said its liquidity had significantly worsened due to the sharp fall in the U.S. dollar.

Argentex, one of the financial firms hurt by the recent market turbulence, said it was considering several options for the business.

Sky News reported later on Tuesday that Argentex is in advanced talks about an emergency sale with several parties, with London-based foreign exchange provider IFX Payments said to be among the contenders.

A definitive deal could be announced as soon as Wednesday, Sky News said, citing banking sources.

Argentex and IFX Payments did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Global markets have been wracked by volatility this month, as U.S. President Donald Trump's haphazard tariff policy has heightened uncertainty over the economy.

"Argentex has been exposed to significant volatility in foreign exchange rates. ... As a result, (it) has experienced a rapid and significant impact on its near-term liquidity position," the company said in an exchange filing, adding this was partly due to margin calls linked to its FX forward and options books.

The company, with a market capitalisation of $69 million, said it had the support of its principal liquidity provider and was looking to strengthen its position.

"In the event that the volatility in currency markets worsens materially, then the company's financial liquidity position, if not strengthened in the near term, would be significantly stretched," Argentex said.

The company has been particularly exposed to "the rapid devaluing of the U.S. dollar against other major benchmark currencies," it added.

The dollar has hit a three-year low against a basket of major currencies and is set for its worst performance in the first four months of the year in 50 years, according to LSEG data. [FRX/]

Analysts say the dollar has weakened as global investors sold U.S. assets due to worries about the health of U.S. companies and the economy.

Argentex's stock has risen 50% so far this year.

The company describes itself on its website as a "global expert in currency risk management and alternative banking", and offers clients strategies for hedging their currency risks as well as payment services.

(Reporting by Alun John and Samuel Indyk; Additional reporting by Rishabh Jaiswal; Editing by Amanda Cooper, Susan Fenton, Hugh Lawson and Richard Chang)