Well, if you couldn't guess it from the childish title, this thread will be used to post about the South African Rand. At least by me when I feel like it. There are several esteemed members of this forum from South Africa, so any input from you folks would likely be quite a bit more valuable than my semi-researched blabberings. Lets get started?
The reason why I first even bothered to notice this currency was because of the interest rate. Their rates are at high levels compared with many of the currencies out there, thus making their carry appeal obvious. Recent history has shown the Rand hit close to 18 month highs against the USD and has now fallen sharply to very near 4 1/2 year lows against the USD. This will be accomplished if it crosses above R8.0000 per $1.00. This rate change has become intereting to follow, because the entire world is very negative USD, yet the Dollar is putting up a suprising fight in the first quarter of 2008, especially against some more "exotic" currencies. This obviously includes the Rand. Why the sharp fall?
Well, the best I can figure it, at least based upon several readings, is that South Africa is undergoing 1) Power surges, which is undermining their entire mining efforts that the country heavily relies upon. 2) The government in South Africa is now allowing their banks, investment firms and other companies to "invest abroad" at a greater level.
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** Thank you for the input, this is the knowledge simple articles never tell. I appreciate it.
Obviously there will be other reasons, I have read about some political problems, though from the readings, these seem to be the big two. The second reason appears to be the more glaring of the two issues. Although, if the lights can't be turned back on, that may turn out to be a larger issue than I believe it is.
Just for note, although the Rand has moved from a high of around 14.0000 to close to 8.0000 now in just six years of time, my bias is still that the Rand will gain. I do not believe that gain is being corrected, just merely a change of environment is shaking things up. Although my bias to begin would be short USD/ZAR, pending on continuing trends, there may be cause for a long XXX/ZAR position. I posted a weekly chart from MT4 showing the past ten years.
All are welcome to post about the country itself or the ZAR currency specifically. Since I trade on larger timeframes, learning about the country of South Africa may help to pass the time. Have a good day,
The reason why I first even bothered to notice this currency was because of the interest rate. Their rates are at high levels compared with many of the currencies out there, thus making their carry appeal obvious. Recent history has shown the Rand hit close to 18 month highs against the USD and has now fallen sharply to very near 4 1/2 year lows against the USD. This will be accomplished if it crosses above R8.0000 per $1.00. This rate change has become intereting to follow, because the entire world is very negative USD, yet the Dollar is putting up a suprising fight in the first quarter of 2008, especially against some more "exotic" currencies. This obviously includes the Rand. Why the sharp fall?
Well, the best I can figure it, at least based upon several readings, is that South Africa is undergoing 1) Power surges, which is undermining their entire mining efforts that the country heavily relies upon. 2) The government in South Africa is now allowing their banks, investment firms and other companies to "invest abroad" at a greater level.
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Disliked1)They aren't surges, they are complete shutdowns/blackouts. Some lasting between 2-4 hours. And I mean everything, businesses, hospitals, traffic-lights, MINES, you name it, it goes down. Supposedly scheduled, although, I'm yet to see SA stick to a schedule on anything.
2)They've always invested abroad, whether on the record or off
.Ignored
Obviously there will be other reasons, I have read about some political problems, though from the readings, these seem to be the big two. The second reason appears to be the more glaring of the two issues. Although, if the lights can't be turned back on, that may turn out to be a larger issue than I believe it is.
Just for note, although the Rand has moved from a high of around 14.0000 to close to 8.0000 now in just six years of time, my bias is still that the Rand will gain. I do not believe that gain is being corrected, just merely a change of environment is shaking things up. Although my bias to begin would be short USD/ZAR, pending on continuing trends, there may be cause for a long XXX/ZAR position. I posted a weekly chart from MT4 showing the past ten years.
All are welcome to post about the country itself or the ZAR currency specifically. Since I trade on larger timeframes, learning about the country of South Africa may help to pass the time. Have a good day,
The market is my nation. Traders, my family. Hello, brothers and sisters!