Buying the Yen

Mark2016

On a few occasions I have heard a well-known investor and businessman, when offering share recommendations, suggest buying gold and buying the yen. I know how to buy gold, but I'm unsure what he means when he says 'buy the yen'. Does he mean place a forex trade, or buy yen in cash like one would do if going on holiday to Japan. Any clarity would be most appreciated. Many thanks.

Mark2016

I'm not sure. He seems to say that buying the yen is with the intention of getting a return.

la531983

Mark2016 said:

I'm not sure. He seems to say that buying the yen is with the intention of getting a return.

That would be because the GBP is strong against the Yen, based on historical trends

1gbp in japanese yen - Google Search

(change to 5 year or max view on the chart)

So basically buy and then sell when/if it goes up again.

masonic

There's a wealth of forex trading platforms out there. These would be more efficient than buying actual currency and holding it, likely with no/little income while you hold. The majority of people will lose money chasing such speculative tips.

Albermarle

Mark2016 said:

I'm not sure. He seems to say that buying the yen is with the intention of getting a return.

So if I said I had a hot tip in the 3.30 at Sandown tomorrow, you would bet on that?

mebu60

Albermarle said:

Mark2016 said:

I'm not sure. He seems to say that buying the yen is with the intention of getting a return.

So if I said I had a hot tip in the 3.30 at Sandown tomorrow, you would bet on that?

No, because there's no racing there tomorrow, next meeting 25 April and there's no 3:30 race either (fifth race is 3:35). 

Gary1984

Presumably buying yen would earn you little or no interest and you're just speculating it's value would go up vs GBP? Unless you get into geared Forex trading it doesn't seem like it would be hugely lucrative and Forex trading is basically just gambling.

If you think the yen is undervalued why not invest in a Japanese equity index fund so at least you're invested in productive assets as you wait for the yen to appreciate?

Albermarle

mebu60 said:

Albermarle said:

Mark2016 said:

I'm not sure. He seems to say that buying the yen is with the intention of getting a return.

So if I said I had a hot tip in the 3.30 at Sandown tomorrow, you would bet on that?

No, because there's no racing there tomorrow, next meeting 25 April and there's no 3:30 race either (fifth race is 3:35). 

OK then in the 15.32 at Wetherby tomorrow .
'Crazier than Daisy' is a cert at 7/2 !

mebu60

Albermarle said:

mebu60 said:

Albermarle said:

Mark2016 said:

I'm not sure. He seems to say that buying the yen is with the intention of getting a return.

So if I said I had a hot tip in the 3.30 at Sandown tomorrow, you would bet on that?

No, because there's no racing there tomorrow, next meeting 25 April and there's no 3:30 race either (fifth race is 3:35). 

OK then in the 15.32 at Wetherby tomorrow .
'Crazier than Daisy' is a cert at 7/2 !

Ah, but I can get 80/1 in that race by backing Butler's Brief, surely that's the one to put my yen on? 

TheTelltaleChart

mebu60 said:

Ah, but I can get 80/1 in that race by backing Butler's Brief, surely that's the one to put my yen on? 

Ah, but Mythical in the 14:00 is 200/1, so you can bet a yen and win a pound!

Seriously, though, tips are (for) rubbish. Saying "buy gold & the yen" should be treated as somewhere between saying "isn't the weather/government awful" or quoting bits of Latin at you. Select a suitable tip-free investment strategy, and then stick to it.

mebu60

mebu60 said:

Albermarle said:

mebu60 said:

Albermarle said:

Mark2016 said:

I'm not sure. He seems to say that buying the yen is with the intention of getting a return.

So if I said I had a hot tip in the 3.30 at Sandown tomorrow, you would bet on that?

No, because there's no racing there tomorrow, next meeting 25 April and there's no 3:30 race either (fifth race is 3:35). 

OK then in the 15.32 at Wetherby tomorrow .
'Crazier than Daisy' is a cert at 7/2 !

Ah, but I can get 80/1 in that race by backing Butler's Brief, surely that's the one to put my yen on? 

Despite Butler's Brief moving out to 100/1 I have placed a whole two English pounds on Crazierthandaisy at 4/1 just for the craic