Case For Renewed Yen Carry Trade To Resume

After japanese central bank refused to increase the interest rates and with yen strenghtening against the dollar and risk perception of japanese investor/saver on an increase due to lack of investment oppurtunities in their own country, yen carry trade will begin to find favour among large investment banks and hedge funds. This will further give a boost to already over heated stock markets like India and other fast growing asian economies.

Real Estate

Almost every asset class has seen sharp correction over the past few weeks, be it stocks, commodities, currency like the dollar, even Art has seen some softening in resale prices, but real estate prices have so far remained over heated in most commercial parts of the world. Even residential property rates in the emerging markets like India, China, Taiwan are over heated. Continued over heated prices is a cause of concern for business as well as genuine home seekers.
Huge money flows have gone into real estate segment, be it PE funds, massive loans from financial institutions and banks to builders and home buyers, black money has also flown with great intensity in to this area. Rentals are also ruling high making the business operations and other commercial activity less profitable or even viable to run. This has caused inflationary pressures in the final product prices. This real estate segment has to undergo a major price correction in order to restore affordability and investment viable proposition.

Investor Confidence Is Shaken

By looking at stock market behaviour for the past 3 days gives indication that investors/traders confidence has been shaken and they are using any rally in the markets to lighten their stock commitments. Cracks in the credit markets and subsequent pouring of around U.S.$550 Billion in the financial system by various central banks only indicates the intensity of underlying unresolved problem.
This is causing huge nervousness among investor/trader class who may not want to enter the markets unless and untill some assurance that problems with subprime mess has been contained.
This world runs on credit, so if that gets affected badly then we have a serious problem in our hands and smart market players knows this. Good luck with our investments.

Gold Is Stable Amid This Stock Carnage

There is a old saying that in troubled times rely on Gold, well, that's seems to be the choice investors are choosing amid sell off's in stocks across the world. Gold is trading stable at U.S.$660 per ounce and so far escaped the carnage from stocks melt down. This precious commodity will continue to out-perform stocks in the short term as investors will consider it as a safe investment bet in these nervous and volatile times. As their is a serious erosion in the risk appetite of investors/traders, safer investment avenues like Gold and currency like Dollar will find favour. For the few weeks, stocks will bear the brunt of this yen carry trade un-winding currently under way. However, some very selective buying can be made in extremely resilient business fundamentals, but in very small quantities.It's however an individual choice and decision.