PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Ed Lopez TI - The Buck Starts Here DP - 2007 Sep 21 TA - ETFs and Indexing PG - 104--105 VI - 2007 IP - 1 4099 - http://guides.pm-research.com/content/2007/1/104.short 4100 - http://guides.pm-research.com/content/2007/1/104.full AB - Currency investing has long been the domain of sophisticated institutional investors and currency traders. However, new product innovations have made it easier than ever for institutional and individual investors alike to cash in on the potential diversification benefits of currency as an asset class. Due to its historically low correlation to traditional assets like stocks and bonds, currency may play an important role as a portfolio diversifier. Currency investing may also help minimize the impact of a strengthening or weakening dollar, and may even enhance portfolio returns. With the advent of retail-friendly exchange traded products, investors can now gain currency exposure conveniently and cost-effectively via a brokerage account. Exchange traded products may also offer many of the same benefits associated with equity investing, including securities lending, options trading, and shorting capabilities.