On Sep 21, 10:48 am, "Marvel" <Mar...@helpcarl.com> wrote:
> "John W." <worthj1...@gmail.com> wrote in message
>
> news:1190315354.566413.170230@19g2000hsx.googlegroups.com...> On Sep 17, 11:08 pm, Declan Murphy <declan_mur...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> >> I noticed that the losses (somewhere along the lines of USD$2.5
> >> billion) accummulated by Japan's amateur currency speculators ("kimono
> >> clad Mrs Watanabe") in recent weeks has started to receive more
> >> coverage in the foreign press. Anyone got any amusing/distressing
> >> stories?
>
> > No, but I'd like to see a thread last more than a few posts.
>
> > John W.
>
> I would guess because not  many frequenters here know much about the
> yen-carry trade.
> I for one knew little to none,  it was often tempting to try but I never
> did.

I earn in yen and spend in yen. Don't follow the $AUD/Yen or Euro/Yen
exchange rates at all.

> And what about Mrs. Watanabe!
> I know people make a living at it but had no idea so many Japanese
> housewives were sneaking behind their husbands backs.

I'd seen foreign currency denominated accounts when visiting the banks
but never paid much attention to them. But margin trading is a lot
riskier than such simple accounts. We are talking about short selling
etc, often on credit, risking (potentially) the entire savings of a
family.