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>The US dollar has started appreciating again on the back of a safe-haven bid with risk aversion rising due to the Fed's upcoming rate-hiking cycle and the Russia-Ukraine tensions.</li>
<li>Given my expectation of rising dollar volatility, I had recommended hedging a diversified EMFX portfolio with the euro. Indeed, the euro hedge has worked well over the past three months.</li>
<li>I continue to prescribe maintaining the euro hedge. If the dollar remains volatile, I don't expect the low volatility of EM currencies – dragged lower by Asia – to persist. </li>
</ul>


The US dollar has started appreciating again on the back of a safe-haven bid with risk aversion rising due to the Fed's upcoming rate-hiking cycle and the Russia-Ukraine tensions.
Given my expectation of rising dollar volatility, I had recommended hedging a diversified EMFX portfolio with the euro. Indeed, the euro hedge has worked well over the past three months.
I continue to prescribe maintaining the euro hedge. If the dollar remains volatile, I don't expect the low volatility of EM currencies – dragged lower by Asia – to persist. 


Value of Euro as a Hedge for EM Currencies in Times Like These

<ul>
<li>The Russian ruble has been the worst-performing currency in EM over the past month leading to the question: Is the currency cheap based on the risk premium priced in it?</li>
<li>Comparing the current episode with the 2014 annexation of Crimea by Russia, we conclude that the market is pricing in a 10% probability of an invasion followed by crippling sanctions.</li>
<li>With the currency not particularly cheap and given the asymmetric risk-reward, I would opt to not have any exposure to it for the time being.</li>
</ul>


The Russian ruble has been the worst-performing currency in EM over the past month leading to the question: Is the currency cheap based on the risk premium priced in it?
Comparing the current episode with the 2014 annexation of Crimea by Russia, we conclude that the market is pricing in a 10% probability of an invasion followed by crippling sanctions.
With the currency not particularly cheap and given the asymmetric risk-reward, I would opt to not have any exposure to it for the time being.


Is the Risk Premium High Enough in the Russian Ruble?

<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>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

Taiwan

The New Taiwan dollar is the official currency of Taiwan

Price Gauge
52-week Range	0.00 - 0.00
Market Cap (USDm)	0.00
P/E	0.00
Dividend (Yield)	0.00

TWD (USDTWD CURNCY)

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

Value of Euro as a Hedge for EM Currencies in Times Like These

Given my expectation that the dollar should remain volatile in the near term, I continue to recommend maintaining a euro hedge for a diversified...

Gautam Jain, PhD, CFA

Is the Risk Premium High Enough in the Russian Ruble?

Despite the recent underperformance of the Russian ruble, the currency is not particularly cheap. Given the asymmetric risk-reward profile, I would...

Gautam Jain, PhD, CFA

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

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)