Thursday, September 25, 2008

Carry trade strategy | ForexGen

The carry trade is an extremely popular trade in the FX Market. It is made possible by the fact that different countries have a different benchmark interest rate. At the time of writing this article, Japan’s benchmark interest rate was just 0.5%, whilst the benchmark rate for New Zealand was 8.25%. Interest rates fluctuate based on economic conditions. It is USUALLY the case when one benchmark rate is on an upward trend and another country’s benchmark rate is on a downward trend, the currency on the upward trend will appreciate against the currency that is on the downward trend. This is not a guarantee, but it is a common occurrence. Each time you buy a currency pair that has a positive interest rate differential, you will receive a credit each day for the interest rate differential. However, the reverse is true if the pair you are trading has a negative interest rate differential. For example, a long NZD/JPY position would receive a credit each day (also known as the swap) whilst a short NZD/JPY position would have to pay the negative interest daily.

ForexGen traders use fundamental analysis, technical analysis, quantitative analysis and sometimes a combination of all three to make their trading decisions. Fundamental analysis involves the use of economic, financial and political news to determine trading decisions. Technical analysis involves the study of Charts to predict future price movements based on past price patterns and trends. Quantitative analysis consists of the use of preset statistical models and properties in quantifying price formations such as averages, ret cements as well as identifying oversold and undersold situations.



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