An Exclusive Interview with Jim Rogers

Anurag Khanna, CEO, Banknet India interacted with world-renowned investment guru Mr Jim Rogers at Mumbai on 21st Feb 2006 on commodity trading and other issues. Mr Rogers was supportive of Banknet India's efforts in popularizing the commodity trading in India. ( Banknet India is launching a special section on commodity trading and has also planned a series of seminars.)

1. Why you're bearish on India, which according to many will be the Economic Super Power by 2020?

There are about 3 pages on the subject in my book Hot Commodities. [You might try flying from New Delhi to a foreign country. What a nightmare. Or you might try driving from Mumbai to Kolkatta. Another nightmare.]

2. You feel that US Dollar will definitely go down and the Euro does not have a future, hence which are the currencies of future in your view?

None are as sound as they once were. I'd look closely at the Canadian dollar, Singapore dollar, Australian dollar, and perhaps the Scandinavian currencies as well as the renminbi. Some of the South American currencies are to be stronger also.

3. Indians have traditionally invested in Gold & Silver. What's your take on these two metals?

I own both, but will probably make more in some others such as agricultural ones first.

4. Are there any stock markets around the world that you think are interesting?

Some with commodity economies like Canada will do better than the non-commodity economies. I have been buying some in China recently for the first time in several years. I own Japan and expect it to do better than many. Some sectors are interesting such as small electric utilities in the US, airlines, defense in Europe,small banks in Europe, etc.

5. Why do you believe that commodities are less risky than stocks?

I explain several reasons in my book. One fact is that commodities can not go to zero while stocks can.

6. You are very bullish on agro commodities. Can you list them in your order of preference?

I do not have an order of preference. Even if I did, I am sure it would not be the best ones. [ Mr Rogers is bullish on - Sugar, Coffee, Orange Juice, Maize, Soya bean and Cotton]

7. Can you tell us more about Rogers International Commodity Index? Where & How to access it?

Merrill Lynch has a TRAKR linked to the Index. It is listed on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange so is widely available. Merrill also has other products tied to the Index.
Others with products are Credit Swiss, Barclays, DBS, ABN-AMRO, UBS

8. You will agree that there is need to create awareness in the investors about commodity trading. Do you recommend any references or books?

Mine and some of the sources I mention in my book.

To read more about Mr Rogers & his Best Seller- "Hot Commodities : How Anyone Can Invest Profitably in the World's Best Market" - Click here

About Jim Rogers

Mr Jim Rogers is world-renowned investment guru and has been dubbed The Indiana Jones of finance by Time magazine. Mr Rogers co-founded the Quantum Fund (George Soros was the other half), a global-investment partnership. During the next 10 years, the portfolio gained more than 4000%, while the S&P rose less than 50%.

Mr Rogers has been chronicled in Jon Train’s Money Masters of Our Time, Jack Schwager’s Market Wizards and other books. He has also been featured in Time, The Washington Post, The New York Times, Barron’s, Forbes, Fortune, The Wall Street Journal, The Financial Times, and other publications dealing with the finance sector. He has also appeared as a regular commentator and columnist in various media and has been a visiting professor at Columbia University