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What is a Carry Trade?

I still remember the first time someone mentioned a carry trade to me. I nodded politely, as if I understood every word, but truthfully? I had no clue. The idea sounded deceptively simple: borrow money at a lower interest rate, invest it somewhere with a higher return, and pocket the difference. Easy on paper, not so easy in practice.

In India, the Trade and Carry facility works in a slightly different way. Imagine buying shares without paying the full amount upfront. You only put down a part of the margin first, while the remaining balance is due within a set number of days. 

For example, if you buy on a Monday, the position can usually be carried forward until the following Tuesday (T+2+5 days). It is somewhat like ordering snacks at your local chai stall — enjoying them right away but settling the bill a little later.

 

Example of a Carry Trade

You can borrow Japanese yen at a low interest rate and exchange it for US dollars. With those dollars, you buy US bonds offering higher yields compared to borrowing costs.

The difference between the interest you pay on the yen loan and the return from the US bonds becomes your profit. This strategy works smoothly as long as market conditions remain stable and no unusual risks arise, making it a common approach in international financial trading.

What Are Common Carry Trades?

For me, popular carry trades are a lot like the short-cuts. But every once in a while, they show up. People who trade currencies tend to stick with pairs where the interest rate gaps have been stable for a long time. Even though there is some risk, the bet is that those differences will stay.

  • If you want to get a higher interest rate, borrow Japanese yen and convert them into Australian dollars.

  • The fund trades in Swiss francs and buys government bonds in countries that are growing faster.

  • Get loans in US dollars and buy corporate debt from other countries that have better yields.

  • Take out a loan in euros to trade in currencies like the Canadian dollar that are tied to commodities.

  • To trade in stock index futures in some safe economies, use currencies with low interest rates.

Benefits of Carry Trades

  • Use the difference in interest rates between two countries that have stable exchange rates to make a steady income.

  • Diversify your returns by investing around the world. This way, you won't have to depend on the economic conditions of just one country or area.

  • When you use leverage to make possible wins bigger, be careful because it can also make possible losses bigger.

  • Mix this strategy with others to make sure that the risks and returns of your whole portfolio are balanced.

What Are Some of the Risks?

I didn't realise how quickly things can change when I first started looking into carry trades. One change in policy or sudden shock in the market can make everything go wrong.

The same power that can help you make money can also make it easier to lose money.

For example, if the exchange rate changes quickly, income gains can be lost quickly.

  • With leverage, both gains and losses are magnified, and small changes in the value of a currency can cause big changes in the value of a portfolio.

  • Changes in politics or the economy can make currency markets unstable, which can catch even experienced players off guard.

  • When the central bank changes rates, it can quickly change how profitable something is, often faster than positions can be changed.

  • When the market isn't liquid, it can be hard and expensive to get out of deals during times of urgency or volatility.

Conclusion

A carry trade can feel much like walking along a narrow hill trail. The view may be promising, but the risk of slipping is never far away. These trades usually perform better when markets are calm, but they require constant attention. Knowing when to pause is as important as knowing when to continue.

They often suit investors who can manage fluctuations and adjust quickly to new developments. Stability in interest rate gaps supports them, but even a sudden shift in global markets or economic policy can turn a profit into a loss. This is why blending carry trades with other approaches can be a practical way to share risk and keep a portfolio steadier over time.

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