Fixed Income and Currency Strategist

Gautam Jain, PhD, CFA

FX & Rates

<ul>
<li>The South African rand gave up much of its earlier outperformance towards the end of last year but still ended as one of the year's best performers.</li>
<li>In 2022 though I expect the currency to underperform on the back of a weak economic outlook with the ongoing pandemic adding to previous structural constraints to growth. </li>
<li>In addition, the currency's carry is likely to stay low especially relative to its volatility and the commodity tailwind should fade as the year progresses.</li>
</ul>


The South African rand gave up much of its earlier outperformance towards the end of last year but still ended as one of the year's best performers.
In 2022 though I expect the currency to underperform on the back of a weak economic outlook with the ongoing pandemic adding to previous structural constraints to growth. 
In addition, the currency's carry is likely to stay low especially relative to its volatility and the commodity tailwind should fade as the year progresses.


South African Rand – Watch for Headwinds in 2022

<ul>
<li>I explore the 2021 winners and losers among EM currencies, leading into the discussion on which of these performances were appropriate and which currencies may offer opportunities this year.</li>
<li>The currencies to track this year for opportunities to buy are Chilean peso and Peruvian sol, and to sell are Colombian peso and South African rand. </li>
<li>Among currencies that already look appealing to buy are the Indian rupee and the Thai baht, while the Chinese yuan and the Czech koruna appear expensive.</li>
</ul>


I explore the 2021 winners and losers among EM currencies, leading into the discussion on which of these performances were appropriate and which currencies may offer opportunities this year.
The currencies to track this year for opportunities to buy are Chilean peso and Peruvian sol, and to sell are Colombian peso and South African rand. 
Among currencies that already look appealing to buy are the Indian rupee and the Thai baht, while the Chinese yuan and the Czech koruna appear expensive.


Not All Winners Are Equal: 2021 EM FX Outliers and Implications for 2022

<ul>
<li>I reiterate the risk that the dollar can strengthen in the near term by being on one of the two ends of the dollar smile, thus weighing on EM currencies.</li>
<li>On the positive side, the dollar strengthening should not last since the currency is already expensive in REER terms. Also, long speculative positions in the dollar are already quite heavy.</li>
<li>Since positions tend to follow dollar moves, whenever the dollar starts weakening, the unwinding of long positions can exacerbate the move, making it a supportive environment for EM currencies.</li>
</ul>


I reiterate the risk that the dollar can strengthen in the near term by being on one of the two ends of the dollar smile, thus weighing on EM currencies.
On the positive side, the dollar strengthening should not last since the currency is already expensive in REER terms. Also, long speculative positions in the dollar are already quite heavy.
Since positions tend to follow dollar moves, whenever the dollar starts weakening, the unwinding of long positions can exacerbate the move, making it a supportive environment for EM currencies.


Speculative Long Dollar Positions Highest Since 2019

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One, Periscope Analytics

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

Event-Driven

Hang Seng China Enterprises Index / Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>With the 2021 futures expiring in 2 weeks, the focus now shifts to the HSCEI dividend futures expiring in 2022 where we see a fair value of 240.76 DIPS.</li>
<li>The current market is trading very close to our fair value for 2022 but there are a lot of potential catalysts that could result in a big move lower.</li>
<li>There are fewer catalysts for the 2022 futures to move higher. The regulatory changes in China plus the HFCAA could lead to the 2023 futures trading cheaper to 2022.</li>
</ul>


With the 2021 futures expiring in 2 weeks, the focus now shifts to the HSCEI dividend futures expiring in 2022 where we see a fair value of 240.76 DIPS.
The current market is trading very close to our fair value for 2022 but there are a lot of potential catalysts that could result in a big move lower.
There are fewer catalysts for the 2022 futures to move higher. The regulatory changes in China plus the HFCAA could lead to the 2023 futures trading cheaper to 2022.


HSCEI Dividend Futures: 2022 Close to Fair; Sell 22/23 Steepener

<ul>
<li>Since the start of the pandemic, the Brazilian real (BRL) has lagged the broad universe of emerging market currencies but it has outperformed this year, narrowing the gap.</li>
<li>I expect BRL to continue outperforming as real rates should keep rising, the fiscal balance has improved, and there is a potential for a positive surprise on the election front.</li>
<li>The positive view on BRL is against other EM currencies, not the dollar. Also, the timing is critical because asset volatility should start picking up as the election approaches.</li>
</ul>


Since the start of the pandemic, the Brazilian real (BRL) has lagged the broad universe of emerging market currencies but it has outperformed this year, narrowing the gap.
I expect BRL to continue outperforming as real rates should keep rising, the fiscal balance has improved, and there is a potential for a positive surprise on the election front.
The positive view on BRL is against other EM currencies, not the dollar. Also, the timing is critical because asset volatility should start picking up as the election approaches.


Brazilian Real Set to Outperform Other EM Currencies in the Near Term

China

The Chinese renminbi (yuan) is the official currency of The People's Republic of China. 

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South African Rand – Watch for Headwinds in 2022

In 2022, I expect the South African rand to underperform on the back of a weak economic outlook, low carry relative to its volatility, and the...

Gautam Jain, PhD, CFA

Not All Winners Are Equal: 2021 EM FX Outliers and Implications for 2022

I explore the 2021 winners and losers among EM currencies, leading into the discussion on which of these performances were appropriate and which...

Gautam Jain, PhD, CFA

Speculative Long Dollar Positions Highest Since 2019

Long speculative positions in the dollar are quite heavy implying that whenever the dollar starts weakening, the unwinding of long positions can...

Gautam Jain, PhD, CFA

HSCEI Dividend Futures: 2022 Close to Fair; Sell 22/23 Steepener

The HSCEI 2022 dividend futures are trading close to fair but there are a lot more negative catalysts that will have a bigger impact than positive...

Brian Freitas

Brazilian Real Set to Outperform Other EM Currencies in the Near Term

I expect BRL to continue outperforming in the near term as real rates should keep rising, the fiscal balance has improved, and there is a potential...

Gautam Jain, PhD, CFA

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)