Investing in Emerging Markets

Dad, I’d like to borrow some money.

爸，我想借点钱。

Sure, Johnny, how much do you need? Five bucks?

行啊，小强，要多少？五块？

Come on, Dad, I need thirty thousand. I wanna get into the market. You know, I’m tired of hearing all this news about the economic downturn, the inevitable recession, people stuffing their money in their mattresses. I look at this as an opportunity. This is a chance for me to get a jump start on building my nest egg.

爸，别闹了，我需要三万块。我想进股市。您知道吗，我天天听新闻说什么经济下行、衰退难免，大家都把钱塞床垫底下。我觉得这是个机会，正好让我提前攒点养老钱。

I don’t know about that; with all the uncertainty in the markets right now, it would be a very unwise decision to invest. I don’t know if you’re aware son, but there has been a lot of turmoil in the markets recently. There have already been half a million layoffs in the last few months, and we have no idea how the proposed stimulus package will impact the economy. There’s too much instability. I wouldn’t just feel comfortable investing in this climate.

这我可拿不准；现在市场这么不确定，投资可不是明智之举。儿子，你知不知道最近市场动荡得很厉害？这几个月已经有五十万人失业了，那个刺激方案到底能起多大作用谁也不知道。太不稳定了，这种环境下我可不敢投。

But look at it this way, every challenge is an opportunity. And anyway, I’m not talking about investing in the domestic market. There are emerging markets that promise great returns. Look at China, for example; they have 1.4 billion people, half a billion of whom have recently entered the middle class. Here alone, the aggregate demand for consumer goods rePresents an amazing wealth generating opportunity.

但您换个角度想，每个挑战都是机会。再说，我说的不是投国内市场。有些新兴市场回报可高了。比如中国，十四亿人，有五亿刚步入中产。单凭消费品需求，就藏着巨大的财富机会。

Come on, son, you’re looking at this too naively, the Chinese market has exhibited a great deal of instability, and their currency has been devalued by almost a whole percentage point.

行了，儿子，你想得太简单了。中国市场波动很大，而且他们货币都快贬值一个百分点了。

Fine, then! If that’s the way you feel, so be it. But you’re losing out on a great opportunity here. I’m going to go hit up Mum for the cash.

行吧！您要这么想，那就这样吧。不过您可是错过了一个大机会。我找我妈要钱去。