Fixed Income and Currency Strategist

Gautam Jain, PhD, CFA

FX & Rates

Between July and October, Asian currencies underperformed against the rest of EM. In this note, I address the question: Is the period of underperformance for Asian currencies now behind? With the economic recovery back on track as coronavirus cases drop amid high levels of vaccinations, further monetary easing no longer in the cards, and FX interventions slowing, I expect Asian currencies on aggregate to trade broadly in line with the rest of EM in the near term but not outperform. From a strategy standpoint, I would opportunistically target specific currencies that have underperformed, such as the Thai baht.Separately, the attached file is a snapshot of the EM currency market in which I seek to identify the leaders and laggards among currencies by comparing the performance of each to its history as well as to other currencies based on their respective betas to an EM currency index.

Between July and October, Asian currencies underperformed against the rest of EM. In this note, I address the question: Is the period of underperformance for Asian currencies now behind? With the economic recovery back on track as coronavirus cases drop amid high levels of vaccinations, further monetary easing no longer in the cards, and FX interventions slowing, I expect Asian currencies on aggregate to trade broadly in line with the rest of EM in the near term but not outperform. From a strategy standpoint, I would opportunistically target specific currencies that have underperformed, such as the Thai baht.Separately, the attached file is a snapshot of the EM currency market in which I seek to identify the leaders and laggards among currencies by comparing the performance of each to its history as well as to other currencies based on their respective betas to an EM currency index.

Is the Period of Underperformance for Asian Currencies Over?

Since late September, the US 10y yield has moved higher by around 30 bp while EM 10y rates have risen even more by over 50 bp on average. Peru is the only major EM country where rates have rallied even as they have sold off elsewhere. Several drivers have been behind the recent rally in Peru’s rates. The most prominent ones are signs of moderation by the president as he shuffled his cabinet and ratified the market-friendly central bank governor. The rally, however, looks overdone as the post-election risk premium has been erased and the 10y yield in Peru is low in comparison with the volatility which is expected to remain high. I would thus look for opportunities to pay long-end rates in Peru against another country.Separately, the attached file is a snapshot of the EM 10y rates market in which I seek to identify the leaders and laggards among countries by comparing the performance of each to its history as well as to other countries based on their respective betas to an EM rates index.

Since late September, the US 10y yield has moved higher by around 30 bp while EM 10y rates have risen even more by over 50 bp on average. Peru is the only major EM country where rates have rallied even as they have sold off elsewhere. Several drivers have been behind the recent rally in Peru’s rates. The most prominent ones are signs of moderation by the president as he shuffled his cabinet and ratified the market-friendly central bank governor. The rally, however, looks overdone as the post-election risk premium has been erased and the 10y yield in Peru is low in comparison with the volatility which is expected to remain high. I would thus look for opportunities to pay long-end rates in Peru against another country.Separately, the attached file is a snapshot of the EM 10y rates market in which I seek to identify the leaders and laggards among countries by comparing the performance of each to its history as well as to other countries based on their respective betas to an EM rates index.

Rates 10y Dashboard: Rally in Peru’s Rates Is Overdone

After strengthening through early October, the US dollar has turned trendless. I evaluate the change in performance of EM currencies when the dollar was at a peak versus now. Specifically, I go over the regional and country divergences to identify the outperformers and underperformers. I also highlight the currencies where I see the most value.Separately, the attached file is a snapshot of the EM currency market in which I seek to identify the leaders and laggards among currencies by comparing the performance of each to its history as well as to other currencies based on their respective betas to an EM currency index.

After strengthening through early October, the US dollar has turned trendless. I evaluate the change in performance of EM currencies when the dollar was at a peak versus now. Specifically, I go over the regional and country divergences to identify the outperformers and underperformers. I also highlight the currencies where I see the most value.Separately, the attached file is a snapshot of the EM currency market in which I seek to identify the leaders and laggards among currencies by comparing the performance of each to its history as well as to other currencies based on their respective betas to an EM currency index.

FX Dashboard: Updating EM FX Winners and Losers

Following the hawkish surprise at the last meeting, the Chilean central bank is likely to raise the pace of tightening even further at the MPC meeting tomorrow. Inflation has been rising steadily as the recovery picked up strongly on the back of the strong fiscal and monetary stimulus. More worrisome for the central bank is that long-term inflation expectations have deteriorated. The currency depreciation meanwhile has picked up pace as political uncertainty has risen, adding to inflationary risks. The central bank is thus likely to raise rates very aggressively to anchor inflation expectations and the currency in our view and is possibly evaluating a currency intervention program. Our bullish recommendations on the currency have taken a hit lately.Separately, the attached file is a snapshot of the EM currency market in which we seek to identify the leaders and laggards among currencies by comparing the performance of each to its history as well as to other currencies based on their respective betas to an EM currency index.

Following the hawkish surprise at the last meeting, the Chilean central bank is likely to raise the pace of tightening even further at the MPC meeting tomorrow. Inflation has been rising steadily as the recovery picked up strongly on the back of the strong fiscal and monetary stimulus. More worrisome for the central bank is that long-term inflation expectations have deteriorated. The currency depreciation meanwhile has picked up pace as political uncertainty has risen, adding to inflationary risks. The central bank is thus likely to raise rates very aggressively to anchor inflation expectations and the currency in our view and is possibly evaluating a currency intervention program. Our bullish recommendations on the currency have taken a hit lately.Separately, the attached file is a snapshot of the EM currency market in which we seek to identify the leaders and laggards among currencies by comparing the performance of each to its history as well as to other currencies based on their respective betas to an EM currency index.

FX Dashboard: Chilean Central Bank Is Set to Deliver Another Hawkish Surprise

With the US dollar appreciating on rising risk aversion, it is important to see which EM currencies are more vulnerable and which are less if the dollar strengthening continues. To do so, we look at the systematic risk or beta of each EM currency and how it has evolved. We find that the beta has increased for Central European currencies and Asian currencies with the exception of the Indonesian rupiah and the Indian rupee. It has also increased for the Turkish lira but has dropped for the Mexican peso and the Russian ruble, providing us with a template of which currencies to go long or short.Separately, the attached file is a snapshot of the EM currency market in which we seek to identify the leaders and laggards among currencies by comparing the performance of each to its history as well as to other currencies based on their respective betas to an EM currency index.

With the US dollar appreciating on rising risk aversion, it is important to see which EM currencies are more vulnerable and which are less if the dollar strengthening continues. To do so, we look at the systematic risk or beta of each EM currency and how it has evolved. We find that the beta has increased for Central European currencies and Asian currencies with the exception of the Indonesian rupiah and the Indian rupee. It has also increased for the Turkish lira but has dropped for the Mexican peso and the Russian ruble, providing us with a template of which currencies to go long or short.Separately, the attached file is a snapshot of the EM currency market in which we seek to identify the leaders and laggards among currencies by comparing the performance of each to its history as well as to other currencies based on their respective betas to an EM currency index.

FX Dashboard: How Have the Sensitivities of EM FX to US Dollar Evolved?

Peru

The peruvian sol spot is the official currency of the republic of peru. the US dollar is the official currency of the united states of america

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Is the Period of Underperformance for Asian Currencies Over?

After underperforming between July and October, I expect Asian currencies on aggregate to perform broadly in line with the rest of EM in the near...

Gautam Jain, PhD, CFA

Rates 10y Dashboard: Rally in Peru’s Rates Is Overdone

The recent shift towards the center by Peru's newly-elected president has caused the country's bonds to rally sharply. While a drop in risk premium...

Gautam Jain, PhD, CFA

FX Dashboard: Updating EM FX Winners and Losers

As the US dollar turns trendless, I go over the regional and country divergences to identify the outperformers and underperformers in EM. I also...

Gautam Jain, PhD, CFA

FX Dashboard: Chilean Central Bank Is Set to Deliver Another Hawkish Surprise

Following the substantial deterioration of long-term inflation expectations along with the sharp currency depreciation, we expect the central bank...

Gautam Jain, PhD, CFA

FX Dashboard: How Have the Sensitivities of EM FX to US Dollar Evolved?

We look at the systematic risk or beta of each EM currency to the US dollar and how it has evolved to identify currencies that are more or less...

Gautam Jain, PhD, CFA

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)