There are only three major currencies: USD, DM and JY. The whole problem is the weakness of Japanese yen, which can be traded in the forms of spot at FOREX (mainly banks) or futures at CME . You can use 10% of margin to trade. These asian stock markets are not much of problems. The problems are the currencies and debts swaps these countries made with us and Japan. Some of the countries have 80% correction in the stock markets and at least 50% in their currencies. There is no way for them to repay loss from the swaps. So, we have to re-finance these debts to avoid their default.
Now, it is China's turn. China opened all its markets except currency yuan(this is the original yen), which is mainly for trade. So, nobody can really do anything except themselves. They might have kept half national reserve in US dollar and half in Japanese yen, or maybe more in US debts. Since they opened their door to the west in the late 70s, a lot of hard-currency they made went to Hong Kong, either in stock market or banks.
The HK markets has now about 50% correction from its peak. I don't see it will stop until 60% correction. This persistent price movement either makes someone really rich or (more) makes most people poor. China related stocks have suffered more. This may speed up their internal problems and force them to devalue yuan.
If that is the case,the rest of Asian market will suffer the most and it is harder for them to repay their debts to us. So, major banks here will have more problems and markets here could have severe corrections. |
