8/11/15
Overnight, China openly devalued its currency. And it may be only the first step in a return to the “weak currency” policies that catapulted its economy to one of the biggest in the world. Such a policy reversal would have huge implications for Chinese stocks, and the geopolitical landscape.
China has slowly and modestly appreciated its currency (vis a vis the dollar) over the past decade, in compliance with the pressures from major trading partners and global economic leaders (namely the U.S.). As a result, China’s economy has slowed, its exports have fallen in competitiveness and Chinese leadership is under pressure.
Additionally, since late 2012, Japan has delivered a massive blow to China through its outright devaluation of the Japanese yen. Japanese goods have become 40% cheaper than Chinese goods, on a relative currency basis, since Japan first telegraphed its massive QE and yen devaluation plans. Japanese growth in exports have nearly doubled that of China over the past three years.
With that, it’s no surprise that China is beginning to fight back.
Longer term, a return to weaker currency, in an effort to reclaim its global export dominance, would create major political turbulence with its leading trading partners. But short term, it could give China’s economy and its stock market a huge shot in the arm.
At BillionairesPortfolio.com, we like to follow the lead of billionaire investors that have large stakes in companies and, as such, the ability to influence outcomes.
Below are five U.S. exchange traded Chinese stocks, each owned by top U.S. billionaire investors:
1) eHI Car Services (EHIC) – Billionaire Chase Coleman of Tiger Global recently initiated a 21.5% stake in EHIC in June. eHi Car is considered the “Uber” of China. The stock hit a high of $19 this year and currently trades at $11.45. A return to its 2015 highs from here would mean a 65% return.
2) JD.Com (JD) – Billionaire Steven Mandel, who runs the hedge fund Lone Pine Capital, owns nearly 3% of JD.com, or almost $900 million worth. JD.com has been called the “Ebay” of China.
3) Alibaba (BABA) – Alibaba is a billionaire hedge fund hotel. Billionaires’ Julian Robertson, Chase Coleman and George Soros all own Alibaba. BABA is billionaire Julian Robertson’s second largest position. The stock’s 52-week high is $120 or 53% higher than its share price today. Alibaba reports its highly anticipated earnings on Wednesday, August 12th.
4) Baidu (BIDU) – Baidu is another stock that is a Billionaire hedge fund hotel. Billionaires Stephen Mandel, Julian Robertson and George Soros all own Baidu. Baidu sold as high as $251.99 over the past year — about 50% higher than current levels.
5) iShares China Large Cap ETF (FXI) – Billionaire Louis Bacon who runs the top performing global macro hedge fund, Moore Capital, recently added to his nearly $200 million position in FXI. The exchange traded fund, FXI, is one of the most liquid and diverse ways to get exposure to Chinese stocks.
Billionairesportfolio.com, run by two veterans of the hedge fund industry, helps self-directed investors invest alongside the world’s best billionaire investors. By selecting the best ideas from the best billionaire investors and hedge funds, our exited stock investment recommendations have averaged a 27% gain since 2012.
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