Fixed Income and Currency Strategist

Gautam Jain, PhD, CFA

FX & Rates

<ul>
<li>With Russia invading Ukraine, my view of the dollar remaining strong and possibly appreciating further in the near term is playing out.</li>
<li>EM currencies have weathered the spillover from Russia and dollar strengthening well so far, but this may be about to change as their (negative) beta to the dollar has increased.</li>
<li>Beyond the near term, the outlook for the dollar and EM currencies has become hazy given the uncertainty emanating from Russia's invasion and the fallout of the sanctions.</li>
</ul>


With Russia invading Ukraine, my view of the dollar remaining strong and possibly appreciating further in the near term is playing out.
EM currencies have weathered the spillover from Russia and dollar strengthening well so far, but this may be about to change as their (negative) beta to the dollar has increased.
Beyond the near term, the outlook for the dollar and EM currencies has become hazy given the uncertainty emanating from Russia's invasion and the fallout of the sanctions.


Contagion Risks from Russia to Other EM Currencies

<ul>
<li>In an environment marked by uncertainty with regards to the dollar's next move, EM currencies have been stable and LatAm currencies have outperformed Asia and CEEMEA so far this year.</li>
<li>The strong start for LatAm currencies is partly to make up for their underperformance last year and partly supported by their high carry relative to other currencies.</li>
<li>If risk aversion remains low, this trend should persist but given the uncertainty, it is best to be selective and target relative-value trades to take advantage of differences across countries.</li>
</ul>


In an environment marked by uncertainty with regards to the dollar's next move, EM currencies have been stable and LatAm currencies have outperformed Asia and CEEMEA so far this year.
The strong start for LatAm currencies is partly to make up for their underperformance last year and partly supported by their high carry relative to other currencies.
If risk aversion remains low, this trend should persist but given the uncertainty, it is best to be selective and target relative-value trades to take advantage of differences across countries.


Will Latin American Currencies Continue to Outperform Against Asia and CEEMEA?

<ul>
<li>Given the strong performance of several Latin American currencies in recent days, it is fair to ask if these returns are being driven purely by their high carry.</li>
<li>To address this question, we compare the performance of each currency, adjusted by its beta, with its carry, adjusted for its volatility.</li>
<li>While there is some overlap between performance and carry, we find no strong correlation, leading us to conclude that we are currently not in a carry-trade environment.</li>
</ul>


Given the strong performance of several Latin American currencies in recent days, it is fair to ask if these returns are being driven purely by their high carry.
To address this question, we compare the performance of each currency, adjusted by its beta, with its carry, adjusted for its volatility.
While there is some overlap between performance and carry, we find no strong correlation, leading us to conclude that we are currently not in a carry-trade environment.


Is Carry Driving the Returns of EM Currencies?

<ul>
<li>The turnaround of Asian currencies is likely to continue with growth resurfacing in the region ex-China and the interest rate differential with the rest of emerging markets narrowing.</li>
<li>The main risks to watch are whether the slowdown in China worsens and weighs on the region as a whole and whether central banks embark on FX interventions again.</li>
<li>While the overall view on Asian currencies is constructive, I prefer cross-country trades to take advantage of differences arising from idiosyncratic drivers and to eliminate the dollar risk.</li>
</ul>


The turnaround of Asian currencies is likely to continue with growth resurfacing in the region ex-China and the interest rate differential with the rest of emerging markets narrowing.
The main risks to watch are whether the slowdown in China worsens and weighs on the region as a whole and whether central banks embark on FX interventions again.
While the overall view on Asian currencies is constructive, I prefer cross-country trades to take advantage of differences arising from idiosyncratic drivers and to eliminate the dollar risk.


Drivers Behind the Turnaround of Asian Currencies

<ul>
<li>In my monthly recap note, I provide a performance update of my weekly trade recommendations in emerging markets FX and rates.</li>
<li>Of the total of 31 trade recommendations made so far, I have recommended closing 21 of which 17 were in the money.</li>
<li>I also go over my open trade recommendations as well as those that I have closed recently.</li>
</ul>


In my monthly recap note, I provide a performance update of my weekly trade recommendations in emerging markets FX and rates.
Of the total of 31 trade recommendations made so far, I have recommended closing 21 of which 17 were in the money.
I also go over my open trade recommendations as well as those that I have closed recently.


Alpha Bites: Performance Summary of Trade Recommendations in FX and Rates – January 2022

Thailand

The Thai baht is the official currency of Thailand. 

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Contagion Risks from Russia to Other EM Currencies

EM currencies have weathered the dollar strengthening well so far, but this may be about to change as their (negative) beta to the dollar has...

Gautam Jain, PhD, CFA

Will Latin American Currencies Continue to Outperform Against Asia and CEEMEA?

If risk aversion remains low, LatAm currencies should continue to outperform but given the uncertainty, it is best to target relative-value trades...

Gautam Jain, PhD, CFA

Is Carry Driving the Returns of EM Currencies?

The high carry of a few currencies appears to be one factor behind their recent strong performance, but on further examination, I conclude that we...

Gautam Jain, PhD, CFA

Drivers Behind the Turnaround of Asian Currencies

The turnaround of Asian currencies is likely to continue with growth resurfacing in the region ex-China and interest rate differential with the...

Gautam Jain, PhD, CFA

Alpha Bites: Performance Summary of Trade Recommendations in FX and Rates – January 2022

I provide a performance update of all my trade recommendations along with discussing the open trades. I have closed 21 of the 31 trades recommended...

Gautam Jain, PhD, CFA

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)