A slide in the value of the yen gives Japanese equity-focused exchange traded funds a chance to rally in the new year, especially those that hedge their exposure to the weakening currency. The prominent investment bank Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS) is currently loading up on these shares, verifying the trend.
“The investment bank’s asset management unit in Japan is buying shares of the nation’s machinery and electronics exporters, financial firms and electricity producers,” Hiroyuki Ito, Tokyo-based head of equity investment at Goldman Sachs Asset Management Co., said in a recent report. [Japan ETF Benefits from Focus on Exporters, Plunging Yen]
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s new government promises to do more to end deflation and weaken the yen, reports Anna Kitanaka for Bloomberg. The Guggenheim CurrencyShares Japanese Yen Trust (NYSEArca: FXY) has lost about 10% year-to-date, as the Japanese yen is the worst-performing currency in 2012. [International ETFs Minus Currency Risk]
The yen’s weakness is here to stay for some time with the new political leadership dedicated to keeping the currency value low, which can give the equity market back some value. [Japanese Yen ETF Falls to Two Year Low]
“We’re bullish on Japanese stocks next year and the basis for that is the currency,” said Ito. “The yen’s strength has really hurt Japanese industry, but that trend has ended. The government has made its message very clear: they will be rigorous in boosting the economy.”