Navigating the US Debt Ceiling Debate: Options and Risks.

The stalemate in Washington over raising the US debt limit has raised the risk of a default as early as June, which threatens a fresh rout in financial markets. While analysts reckon a crisis will be averted, just an increased probability of default would send shock waves across markets. Here are five ways to position yourself: play T-bills, buy credit default swaps, buy the yen, invest in companies exposed to government spending, and buy gold against the dollar.