What Does it Mean to Buy a Currency?

Currencies Unplugged
Merk Mutual Funds sheds light on key concepts relating to the currency market.

Can any currency be converted into any other currency?

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When an investor enters into a transaction to purchase a currency they are, by implication, also entering into a transaction to sell a different currency, as currencies always trade in pairs. Said another way, if an investor were to purchase Australian dollars (AUD) using U.S. dollars (USD), that investor would be selling USD to purchase AUD.

A common method of purchasing currencies is through the spot market. In the spot market, a buyer and seller agree to transact at a specified price, usually with trade settlement (delivery of the purchased currency) within one or two days. The trade is typically facilitated through a market maker or broker, in much the same way one buys or sells stocks. Another method of purchasing currencies is through the use of forward contracts – a topic I will discuss in an upcoming Currencies Unplugged.

The Merk Hard Currency Fund typically gains exposure to various currencies by transacting in the spot market and purchasing high quality debt instruments within those currencies.

Kieran Osborne
Co-Portfolio Manager of the Merk Absolute Return Currency Fund

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Before investing you should carefully consider the Fund's investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. This and other information is in the prospectus, a copy of which may be obtained by clicking here. Please read the prospectus carefully. Foreside Fund Service, LLC, distributor.