Quote from joesan:
buy Hang Seng Stock Index Futures or HSI at HKFE, if you really think YUAN is 50% under value. But I am not so optimistic. I think our government will not appreciate the currency (Chinese Yuan ) more than 3% within this year. Clearly the central bank guys have learned something from the experience of Japan.
You are probably correct, but think about things from a risk/reward perspective.
Upcoming meeting between Bush and Hu Jintao on April 20th. Jintao probably views Bush as a out of favor leader, incapable of moving any significant legislation, and therefore of controlling his congress. Protectionist congress leaders want to add a 20-30% tax on imported chinese goods, which Jintao does not want. So, a olive branch - a 10% appreciation in the Yuan or so - wouldn't significantly impact chinese fundamentals (the yuan is estimated to be at least 40% undervalued) and might stave off protectionist tariffs, while bolstering Bush and making everything on the surface appear nice.
By the way, the precipitous rise on the 30 year bond yields before the meeting is of interest. Either the Chinese are complying with American directives by NOT buying bonds so that the interest rate conundrum can be solved and the yield curve remain normalized while it moves up, or they are flexing their muscles and sending a warning message to the US - cut the protectionist crap or we won't buy your bonds and will send your long term interest rates to the moon. I can't figure out which, but as the trade is the same, it makes no difference.
So, going long gives you fairly minimal downside risk over the next two weeks, and possibility of a surprise 10% or more revaluation in the currency.
Looking at FXI, there is probably support at $73, current price is about $77. Upside by that rationale, maybe about $85. So, you risk $4 to make $8.
The only caveat is that some of that upside may have already been priced into FXI which is at its high.
Disclaimer: I have a position in FXI.