Central banks and sometimes other banks and large corporations, hold reserves in foreign currencies as a hedge against exchange rate risk and perhaps to satisfy the liquidity needs of positions they may have in Forex derivatives. Central banks and large institutions which engage in international trade and Forex transactions will find it prudent and sometimes necessary to hold substantial reserves in a foreign currency. Central banks frequently engage in various types of Forex transactions to balance their exposure to trends, risks, and other effects in the currency market. Continue reading...
The “Nikkei” is the most referenced index for measuring Japanese stocks. The Nikkei 225 - often just referred to as “the Nikkei” - is an index that tracks the performance of Japan’s top 225 publicly-traded companies on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. It is to Japan what the Dow Jones Industrial Average is to the United States. The Nikkei is a price-weighted index. What is a Bear Straddle? What is Foreign Exchange? Continue reading...
If a central bank takes actions that intentionally and artificially affect the value of a currency, particularly its own, it is engaging in what is known as a Foreign Exchange Intervention, or an interventionist policy. Central banks occasionally use interventions in foreign exchange markets to achieve a desirable end. The banks will intentionally make trades and hold certain amounts of currencies or derivatives with the sole purpose of manipulating the value of their domestic currency. The reasons for that manipulation might be to slow down inflation or to make their county’s exports look more attractive by pushing the value of their currency lower. Continue reading...
Foreign Exchange Risk is the possibility that exchange rates will move against you when you have pending payment on transactions in another currency or other investment positions in foreign currencies or foreign assets which will be affected by Forex fluctuations. Foreign Exchange Risk can also be called Forex risk, and it is the potential loss to an investor or institution when doing business in a foreign currency if the exchange rate swings unfavorably. Companies and countries take various measures to hedge against exchange rate risk, including holding reserves of other currencies and buying derivative contracts on various currency pairs. Continue reading...
Federal debt is the money owed by the government. The primary source of this debt is Treasury Bonds (Notes), which constitute debt obligations. About 25% of the current national debt is owed internally between different government agencies, mostly to the Social Security Trust Funds. The Federal Debt is also, and perhaps more commonly, referred to as the National Debt. Currently the debt is approximately $19 Trillion. Continue reading...
Assets that are held are sometimes analyzed in terms of the cost of carrying them, called the cost of carry. In certain situations, there may be a potential for profit if an asset that might otherwise have a cost of carry could be traded for an asset that actually generates profit. The arbitrage opportunity that exists in that space, and the market formed by it, is sometimes called the carry trade, or the currency carry trade where it applies to currency. Continue reading...
Currency symbols are characters written or typed in a specific arrangement alongside the numerical values of a currency amount, to denote the kind of currency in which the amount of money is held. An example would be the dollar sign ($), which is placed at the beginning of the numbers which describe the amount of currency in question, despite the fact that in most languages the word “dollars” follows the numbers when spoken. Many currencies have their own symbol but not necessarily all do. Continue reading...
Unlock the secrets of the Nikkei 225 🇯🇵: Japan's benchmark stock index! Dive into its history, mechanics, and ties with Tokyo Stock Exchange. From post-WWII origins to today's corporate giants like Sony & Toyota, discover how the Nikkei reflects Japan's economic pulse. #NikkeiGuide Continue reading...
In the vast world of forex trading, understanding currency pairs is essential for investors looking to navigate the global financial markets. One such key pairing is USD/JPY, representing the exchange rate between the United States dollar and the Japanese yen. In this article, we'll delve into the intricacies of USD/JPY, exploring its significance, factors influencing its movements, and correlations with other currencies. USD/JPY, simply put, is the ticker symbol used to denote the currency exchange rate between the U.S. dollar (USD) and the Japanese yen (JPY). Continue reading...
Deflation is an economic term used to describe a trend of broad-based price declines for goods and services. Deflation is generally considered a big negative in the realm of economics. If a country is experiencing deflation, it is usually because demand for goods has fallen substantially, pushing prices down. It can also be tied to falling investment and government spending, both factors that signal weak demand in an economy. Continue reading...
Global markets plummeted as investors sold off U.S. stocks and withdrew from yen positions. The Dow dropped 1,033 points, S&P 500 fell 3%, and Nasdaq declined 3.4%. Discover the key factors behind the downturn, including the yen-carry trade unwind and tech stock selloff. Continue reading...
Dive into the intricacies of Japan's leading stock index, the Nikkei 225! 📈 Compare it with the Dow Jones, uncover its historical resilience, & explore ways to invest, from ETFs to individual stocks. Unlock the potential of Asia's largest economy today! 🇯🇵 #Nikkei225Guide #InvestInJapan Continue reading...
Navigate a week of market volatility with our in-depth review! From soaring tech ETFs to the dynamic shifts in global stocks, uncover the key trends that shaped the financial landscape from May 27 to May 31. Stay informed and strategize effectively with our comprehensive analysis. Continue reading...
Uncover the 5 key factors driving the recent global market selloff, which has erased over $1.3 trillion from U.S. stocks. Learn about the impact of the Fed's policy stance, yen-carry trade unwind, tech stock reset, rising market volatility, and escalating geopolitical risks in the Middle East. Continue reading...
Dive into the forex market's heartbeat with our in-depth analysis of the top 8 tradable currencies. From the dominance of the U.S. dollar to the allure of the South African rand, each currency tells a story shaped by its central bank, economic policies, and global standing. Whether you're a seasoned trader or new to the forex scene, our guide offers valuable insights into the currencies that make the financial world go round. Uncover the intricacies of the forex giants and the nuances that drive their value. Get ready to trade with knowledge as your currency. Continue reading...
Unlock the secrets of Quantitative Easing (QE)! Discover how central banks use QE to supercharge economies during crises. Dive into its mechanisms, learn its impact from real-world examples, and unravel the controversies surrounding its effectiveness. Stay tuned for a deep dive into the world of monetary policy. #QEExplained #EconomicGrowth Continue reading...
The value of a currency can depreciate in relation to the value of other currencies or to another benchmark. Currencies can have their value determined by the cost of a basket of consumer goods from one period to another, but this is really just a measure of inflation. Inflation (or “deflation”) is a subset of the appreciation/depreciation metric, but changes in the exchange rates between currencies are typically seen as the most relevant measure of a currency’s value. Continue reading...
This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the financial market dynamics for the week of June 17-21, detailing significant shifts across various sectors. It covers movements in stocks, commodities, and cryptocurrencies, influenced by factors like Federal Reserve statements, geopolitical tensions, and market sentiment. Key insights include performance reviews of specific assets like oil, gold, and different stock ETFs, with a focus on how economic data releases and investor behavior have impacted market trends. Continue reading...
Many first-time forex traders hit the market running. They watch various economic calendars and trade voraciously on every release of data, viewing the 24-hours-a-day, five-days-a-week foreign exchange market as a convenient way to trade all day long. Not only can this strategy deplete a trader's reserves quickly, but it can burn out even the most persistent trader. Unlike Wall Street, which runs on regular business hours, the forex market runs on the normal business hours of four different parts of the world and their respective time zones, which means trading lasts all day and night. Continue reading...
In the week ending October 18, 2024, U.S. equities and cryptocurrencies saw strong gains, with SPY up 1.11% and Bitcoin Cash surging 12.27%. However, rising volatility indexes signal potential market risks ahead. Explore key sector performances and global market trends amid this dynamic shift. Continue reading...