Carry trades seek to make money from the fact that the interest rates set by central banks around the world vary considerably. In Japan, for example, the lending rate has been close to zero for some time and is still only 0.5% today- the lowest for any major currency - whereas in Australia it is 6.5% and in New Zealand 8%.
Investors seeking to exploit these differences typically borrow cheaply in Japan to fund investment in assets, such as bonds in the higher yielding currencies hoping to benefit from the large difference in interest rates. This works provided the yen doesn't suddenly strengthen against the other major currencies. The effect would be to create large capital losses especially for investors who borrowed heavily to fund carry trading.
See Tim Bennett's video tutorial: What is the yen carry trade?
Subscribe to MoneyWeek
Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE
Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
-
Where are ISA savers and investors putting their money?With less than three months until the end of the tax year, where are ISA savers and investors putting their money? We look at the latest ISA trends.
-
More than £53 billion held in fixed-rate cash ISAs will mature by April - where should savers move their money?If your fixed-rate cash ISA is maturing soon, we look at the options available to you
