(18-09-2012, 02:11 PM)KopiKat Wrote: So, for those of us who invest mainly (if not all) in non-US stocks, what should we do / avoid?
If there's going to be a gradual world-wide shift in the use of USD to another, like RMB as a trade currency, what'd be the negative impact on SGX listcos? Unless they're holding a lot of USD, it may even be positive to do their biz using a widely accepted non-USD trade currency that does not continue to decline in strength?
Hi KopiKat
You are correct to point out China is encouraging various countries to utilise Yuan as the main trading currency. This allows a slow progression/ transition towards another world reserve currency as well as being able to control the monetary flows to a certain extent.
With regards to the negative impact on SGX listcos, I would think they should be hedge to a certain extent. Not too sure about smaller listed cos though.
In any case, I am not proclaiming a complete collapse of USD$. Not even China would allow that. What I am seeing is a slow but steady progress of having another world reserve currency(s?) moving up.
Personally I believe and I stick to SGD denominated investment instruments.
The rating agencies labeled us as one of the last six AAA sovereign rating countries in the world, that is surely some feat.
I agree that Yuan liberisation will take time to float. And changing of world empires will take time (decades at min) and historically, bloodshed, for the transition to be completed.
Hopefully the last thing mentioned I would be very wrong on it. There is nothing great or glorious about wars.
We are a small nation, we do not have the military might nor the economic clout to affect the world geopolitical situation.
However what the incumbent govt has done thus far, to secure our monetary ratings, I have to grudgingly give them the thumbs up.
Some friends in the banking industry have told me that we are heading towards becoming the Asia foremost wealth management hub.
I believe this would agur well for our currency strength. But in terms of inflation or std of living wise, I have no good comments on it though.
Perhaps I might add on something else this evening.
Cheers.