I am worried about dollar devaluation.  I have seen that Buffet and Gates are pulling out of dollars and investing in Euros and other foreign currencies.  They are going as far as taking out full page ads in papers to warn others, so I gather that they are serious.  My bet is that the dollar will tank later this year or in the near future.  \n\nAlso, if I open a Swiss bank account, do they keep my money in Euros? \n\nBasically, I am just looking to buy and hold.  I don't want to be a forex day trader.  An ideal investment to me would be to put my money in a foreign currency and then buy some sort of stock or mutual fund or index or commodity or whatever.  \n\nI just want to get some of my money out of dollars for when the bottom falls out, i.e housing market crash, Iran war, countries reducing $ reserves holdings, GM bankruptcy, etc.
124210
There are several ways you can invest in foreign currency:\n\n1) You can buy Euros (The Actual Bills) at any bank, airport or Money Exchanges and store them in a safe box. This is no very wise because you don't get any interest.\n2) You can open a FREE acount at PayPal (An Ebay Company) in USD and in Euros. \nThis is no very wise because you don't get any interest.\n3) You open a bank account denominated in Euros at any European Bank. When you need money just transfer your money to a US Account. Once you have your account opened you can transfer your money to Euros from any bank in the World.\nSwiss Bank Accounts are multi currency. This means you can keep a USD Balance and a Euros Balance and a Yen Balance and so on.\n\nBy the Way, the currency of Switzerland is not the Euro is the Franc.\n\nI suggest you to visit your local UBS or Credit Suisse bank for more detailed information.\n\nhttp://apps.ubs.com/locationfinder/searchForm.do?GeoEntityId=3&GeoEntityType=3\n\nhttp://www.credit-suisse.com/where_to_find_us/en/office_locator.jsp\n\n\nIf you want to invest you can open a brokerage account and trade stocks just like you do here in the US but on European Stocks denominated in Euros.\nThe same for mutual funds \n\nYou can also invest in Gold if you are worried about \nhousing market crash, Iran war, countries reducing $ reserves holdings, GM bankruptcy, etc.\n\nI can help you with all your international financial needs. Drop me a line for more detailed information about Euro Investments.
281123
I'd be wary of any "seminars" on FOREX (Currency Trading).  I am currently learning about this.  I started about 2 months ago and expect that in 6 months to a year I'll be ready to start investing (after some very intensive reading and an on-line course that I've taken).\n\nWhat I've learned so far includes;\n9 out of 10 that try to trade currency, fail!\nMost trades (by those that survive) lose money. \n\nThere are many 'scams" out there right now in OPTIONS, METALS etc.  I wouldn't be surprised if they're out there in FOREX.  THIS IS AN "UNREGULATED" market (although it is the biggest in the world). If they tell you that you can make ridiculous amounts of money... Ask yourself.... why isn't everyone in the world doing it?\n\nSend me an email. I'm interested in their "rap". If I see any obvious negatives... I'll let you know!\n\nBTW: typical charges for trading are;\nA.   No commissions or fees (at all)!!!!\nB.   Spreads on major currency's are 2 or 3 pips on some like the EUR/USD. 4 or 5 on some of the others.
569107
Don't do this.  The cost of changing dollars into the currency of your choice will be very expensive and the net benefit will be very small.  Also remember that unless you have a significant amount (e.g. more than the equivalent of $10,000) you won't be able to keep it in an interest bearing account without incurring fees.\n\nIf you're committed to doing this then I'd probably put it in the Euro.
179504
I was checking this out the other day, but bought PTEN instead.  This stock is fundamentally unsound, the only positive is the 31% quarterly revenue growth, undoubtedly due to the increase in gold prices.  Technically, it's another story; all indicators are Very Bullish in the Short, Mid and Long terms and the stock seems to be forming a solid base finding support at 5.94.  Personally, I'd buy this stock if I weren't currently in another issue, though I rarely get involved with an issue that is fundamentally weak because it makes very little sense.  \n\nHaving said that, if I get stopped out of PTEN and KRY is still in it's base, my play will be to get in as close to 5.75 as possible with a fixed stop loss at $4.90 because volatility could push it to it's previous resistance at 4.91.  If it closes below 5.25 I'll be keeping a close eye on it, and will consider cutting my losses, depending on indicators.  If it stops me out before I can react I'll just take my loss and move on, but it will be a much larger loss than I normally take, because I usually set an 8-10% stop loss, so I would consider this a risky play.  However, if the stock breaks it's resistance at 6.14 and closes higher than it's previous high of 6.25 I'll change my stop loss to a trailing stop of 10% and just hold on, because I can see this stock easily moving to 9-12 before it's next pull back.\n\nWhatever you do, protect your downside.
560341
They generally should hedge currency risk.  If not, the risk is that gains realized in the foreign currency will be erased by decreases in the value of the foreign currency as measured against your home currency.\n\nThe example on wikipedia is:\nFor example if you are a U.S. investor and you have stocks in Canada, the return that you will realize is affected by both the change in the price of the stocks and the change of the Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar. Suppose that you realized a return in the stocks of 15% but if the Canadian dollar depreciated 15% against the U.S. dollar, you would realize no gain.\n\nAnother possible risk, for importers and exporters, is that currency fluctuations will change the relative prices of foreign and domestic goods, making foreign products more or less attractive.
43519
> Is there a good website/source that predicts the stock market outlook in 2006 (e.g., 3% or 7%)? \n\nThere are some timing services with good track records, but they don't give out their predictions for free.  The good ones don't make predictions a year out--too many things can happen.\n\n> Is the US currency likely to depreciate in 2006?\n\nI can't put a time on it, but eventually the holders of dollars will tire of US financial mismanagement and trade them for yen, euros, or other currencies.  The editor of Barron's had a scary opinion piece on that topic last week.  \n\n> Which sector will perform better than others (e.g., healthcare, consumer staples, financial, energy)?\n\nI've put my money on alternative energy and organic/health foods.  Alternative energy will take a dive if oil goes to $30 a barrel, but steady oil prices will support them for a while.  I admit they're frothy now so this may not be the time to buy.  Whole Foods Market is in a slump but I'm looking for a bottom to buy.  Wild Oats is coming back from the dead.  Hain and United Natural Foods are doing well.  I think this sector will outperform in almost any economic scenario, while alternative energy needs scarcity to thrive.  The potential reward in alternative energy is higher than food, however.  For the very long term, worldwide water shortage is going to mean incredible profits for a few companies.  Start researching now, before the financial press latches onto this story.\n\n> Or, are large-cap stocks expected to outperform small-caps? \n\nLarge-cap vs. small-cap outperformance is a very slow cycle.  I expect small-caps to keep the lead for some time. Right now I'm holding IWM (Russell 2000 fund) and trading the Diamonds (Dow Jones Industrials fund)--buy on pullbacks and sell rises for a small profit.
323751
In my opinion the U S dollar is not a safe currency to be in at the moment. There are some realatively safe ways to protect ones self from currency fluctuations but short term anything could happen. \n\nOne possibility is to have some of your assets in oil securities. Oil is relatively currency free as an investment. Another possibility is to invest in a pool of debt securities of various foreign governments. That minimizes the risk associated with one currency.
675333
you're a few years behind. German Marks no longer exist. They're replaced by euro. 150 US dollars are worth 117,34 euro at present.
502431
Damn good question, you forgot about the best part, weakness of the dollar. Gold is a fools bet at best, you have to be invested ahead of the crisis, and sell out during the crisis to profit, and vintage lever action Winchester rifles have given a better return over the last few decades than gold. Same thing with other collectables (easy to transport and perishable) that people want to replace what they once had or always desired. Bonds, especially municipal bonds tax-free, are another possibility but again low intrest, yet safe, safe as the dollar anyways. In all practicality, I would say invest in something that will allow you to gain wealth like  your education, real estate that will prosper in a niche market like waterfront or near new mass transit routes, or allow you to do a secondary line of work/at home business such as selling discount goods online, or the like. Put it to work generating more wealth for you. Or you can try stock picking and hope for a multi-national exposed stock or fund, but remember democrats like to punish the "rich", that is anyone who invests what they earn, with taxes on your payroll and your stock dividends/stock sales margins from stock you bought with your already taxed income. Remember even the best stock pickers only average success 50% of the time. Or be like millions of other sucker, myself included, and buy a lottery ticket now and then, that's why it exists, to give us "hope".
40077
It depends on what you mean by loss. You may be considering holding the bill for a period shorter than maturity. In that case, you may suffer losses due to an increase of yield rates. As another answerer pointed out, T-bills have short maturities / durations and this will mitigate your exposure to yield increase.\nYou might consider the loss of opportuniy risk (although that´s kind of pushing it).\nBut I guess your real concern is with credit (or default) risks. The default risk of any currency issuing government on securities denominated on its own currency are not considered realistic. Lets say that at the time of maturity, the US Treasury did not have sufficient fund to repay and could not raise it by emitting new debt (e.g. new T-bills), it can simply issue more currency.\nEach country has different rules as to who decides when to issue currency, but that is something that would certainly be done to avoid a default. In this case, the sudden surplus of money would cause inflationary pressure, causing the dollar amount redeamed to be worth less than expected (it will still be the same amount of dollars though). But, unless your a foreing investor or are considering investing in non dollar denominated securities (e.g. a bond issued by the UK to be payed in BP), the loss of worth is irrelevant, as it affects all financial instruments as well as cash.\nIn all fairness though, some governments (e.g. Brazil) have chosen to stall payments of debts in their own currency to avoid more currency issuance as an attempt to bring down inflations at very high levels (plus of 40% per month). But having T-bills such short maturities, it would seem very unlikely such scenario would present itself during that period.
180876
I would suggest not getting a trading account until you learn what these terms mean.  Also never open a trading account in a foreign country.  You may never get your money back.
513917
hi.. i have also wondering about that.. i have got these ideas.. you can check for it.. but i'm still confuse is it safe to make that investment... here is the url: \nhttp://www.swisscash.biz/Web/asc_company.aspx
406594
Wow you are a big brave guy.  You write jabs at people and end your question before anyone can respond to it.  \n\nI guess the micro pen joke is actually not a joke at all.  And just like a typical liberal when you cannot logically prove your thesis you start hurling insults to make up for your lack of intellect.\n\nWell I will post my response here and answer this question.\n\nHow many economic classes have you taken?  I can definitely see not many.  Currency deflation is an economic strategy.  Did you know Japan has purposely deflated it's currency five time in the last 20 years?  Last time I checked Japan is the second largest economy in world.\n\nA weaker currency can be a bad thing, but not in the case of the US.  Our largest trading partners have their currency pegged to ours.  The commodities Americans need for everyday use are traded in dollars not foreign currencies, so the price of these good does not increase just because the dollar decreases.\n\nLet me give you a simple, easy macroeconomic example.  I will use the Euro and Microsoft.  The Euro is trading higher than the dollar, and next year Microsoft plans to release Vista.  This mean two things either Microsoft can sell Vista at a cheaper price meaning more Europeans will buy copies then they would have previously, which means that Microsoft will have even more revenue and expand the US economy.  Or the more likely scenario is that Microsoft will keep the price of Vista the same, since they probably figure they will sell just as many copies either way.  If they sell Vista at the same price they planned to sell it for two years ago, then since the Euro is worth more against the dollar, Microsoft will generate more revenue; and again expand the US economy.\n\nNow multiply this example by hundreds of tech companies, and thousands of other companies. The result is large economic expansion.\n\nNow, long term, meaning if the dollar stays low for 20, 30, or 40 years, there may be dire consequences.  Global commodity exchange markets could stop standardizing on the dollar, etc.  But that most likely will not happen, as the US economy grows because of the weaker dollar, the dollar will automatically increase in value.\n\nWhy don't you educate yourself before you make such asinine comments.  If just makes you look like a fool.\n\nNow to answer this question.\n\nWarming and cooling trends on the earth are cyclical and have nothing to do with the actions of human beings.\n\nIn fact, the current CO2 level is the lowest it has been in the entire geologic history of the earth.  In fact, grasses only evolved and started to flourish because they require less carbon dioxide than other plant life.  Likewise, many plant species became extinct because the level of carbon dioxide has decreased so dramatically.\n\n-------\nJake F. I cannot believe how stupid you are about to look.  So, the atmospheric carbon dioxide level today is the highest it has ever been ever, huh?\n\nWell, let's take a look at mid-Cretaceous period 120 to 90 Million years ago. During that period of geologic history the carbon dioxide levels where AT LEAST 2 to 4 times higher than they are today.  And the levels were even higher before the Cretaceous period.  \n\nRead it for yourself on the NOAA website, which is not some nameless site; but the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration!\n\nhttp://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/paleo/globalwarming/cretaceous.html\n\n\nI wish I could see the look on your face, and that face would be the face of the dumbest person on earth!\n\nOuch!  Burned toast!!\n\nRemember the earth is 4.5 billion years old, and has gone through numerous climate changes.  When people talk about global warming they are only looking at the past 100-200 years or maybe the past 1000 years of time, which isn't even one one-trillionth the amount of time the earth has existed.\n\nAnd micro pen, I do not care about making personal comments to you.  I would rather make them publicly, as far as the
382142
You say the value of each of the currencies have gone up.  Against what currency?\n\nThere are 8 major benchmark currencies: USD, EUR, JPY, GBP, CHF, CAD, AUD, HKD \n\nUsually when USD goes up CAD goes down. So if you expect to gain on this, you would want USD value to fall.\n\nAs for the other two currencies, my question is why would you want to hold these?
557148
No one can tell you if an unknown investment will be profitable for you.  Even with "stable" currencies you will still have currency risk in a foreign denominated fund.  If you are looking for foreign equity exposure, I would suggest finding a US based international fund.  Part of the expenses pay for professional currency hedging to minimize the risk of exchange rate changes within the fund.  In this way you can have your foreign equity investments without loosing sleep about how the currency markets are doing.
97786
Follow the 10 year treasury bond.  If interest rates in the US go up, then this attracts $$$ to dollar denominated investments which makes the $$$ stronger against other currencies.  \n\nIn the last week, it has moved from 4.65% to 4.85%.  The trend is for higher rates, but anything can happen in a week.  You can follow the bonds on yahoo finance, symbol ^TNX.  When you get a quote, you move the decimal point one place to the left and you have the yield.\n\nGood luck!!
133195
The US dollar is backed by the US Government, (not great but it works). The US government, thankfully, is back by its taxing power over the American people (which is VERY good). I don't think you'll have much to worry about. But I won't keep cash laying around not collect interest or working for you. Inflation is what will really eat away your money.