Fixed Income and Currency Strategist

Gautam Jain, PhD, CFA

FX & Rates

After being one of the best performing EM currencies this year, the tide has turned for the South African rand in our view. We expect headwinds from the growth outlook worsening as a result of the July riots and a slow vaccination pace. With the central bank likely to stay on hold through 2021, the currency's carry should drop a well. Moreover, the tailwind from commodities may also be behind.

After being one of the best performing EM currencies this year, the tide has turned for the South African rand in our view. We expect headwinds from the growth outlook worsening as a result of the July riots and a slow vaccination pace. With the central bank likely to stay on hold through 2021, the currency's carry should drop a well. Moreover, the tailwind from commodities may also be behind.

FX Dashboard: South African Rand’s Recent Underperformance to Continue

We reiterate our view of the US dollar staying in a range despite the brief breach last week. We expand our baseline view to incorporate two risk scenarios, equivalent to the two ends of the dollar smile. From the point of view of EM currencies, the best-case scenario is our baseline view of the dollar staying rangebound. We also expound on the recent increase in the correlation between commodities and EM currencies and what it means for EM FX.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.

We reiterate our view of the US dollar staying in a range despite the brief breach last week. We expand our baseline view to incorporate two risk scenarios, equivalent to the two ends of the dollar smile. From the point of view of EM currencies, the best-case scenario is our baseline view of the dollar staying rangebound. We also expound on the recent increase in the correlation between commodities and EM currencies and what it means for EM FX.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: US Dollar, Commodities, and EM Currencies

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Global FX volatility – as measured by the 5-day Standard Deviation (SD) in the daily percentage change in the spot (closing) price of a turnover-weighted basket of 32 major currency pairs against the US Dollar – remains depressed by historical standards.While global FX volatility rose slightly on 11th August to about 0.32 SD following the release of US CPI-inflation data, it is still well below its level one month ago (0.43 SD) and 10-year average (0.47 SD). Notably global FX volatility is at a similar level (0.30 SD) as it was in the run-up to the 16th June Fed meeting and release of a more hawkish FOMC “<a href="https://www.federalreserve.gov/monetarypolicy/files/fomcprojtabl20210616.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">dot-chart</a>”.Volatility versus the US Dollar in most of these 32 developed and EM currencies has either fallen in the past month from already modest levels or been broadly stable. Volatility in the high-yielding Brazilian Real and low-yielding Canadian Dollar, Czech Crown, Norwegian Krone and Hungarian Forint has fallen the most in absolute terms. However, there have been a few notable exceptions, including the Turkish Lira, Thai Baht and Chilean, Colombian and Philippines Pesos.USD/THB volatility has risen further in past month and is now near top end of its admittedly narrow 12-month range. The Baht has been choppy against a strong US Dollar, resulting in the Baht NEER appreciating 1.4% since the multi-year low recorded on 6th August.GBP/EUR volatility is currently at its lowest level since early June. Sterling’s appreciation against the Euro has been slow and steady, in line with our expectations. Volatility in global FX (and the S&amp;P 500) also remains very modest compared to volatility in other asset classes, notably US Treasuries and Brent crude oil (see Figure 5). Most of the price action has been in the US rates market in recent months, perhaps unsurprisingly given protracted debate about the timeline for Fed tapering and rate hikes.There are a number of factors behind this low transmission from US rates to Dollar crosses and equities but, as was the case in late-2019, FX markets are ultimately pricing in very little risk of policy, macro data or geopolitical surprises, in our view.

Global FX volatility – as measured by the 5-day Standard Deviation (SD) in the daily percentage change in the spot (closing) price of a turnover-weighted basket of 32 major currency pairs against the US Dollar – remains depressed by historical standards.While global FX volatility rose slightly on 11th August to about 0.32 SD following the release of US CPI-inflation data, it is still well below its level one month ago (0.43 SD) and 10-year average (0.47 SD). Notably global FX volatility is at a similar level (0.30 SD) as it was in the run-up to the 16th June Fed meeting and release of a more hawkish FOMC “dot-chart”.Volatility versus the US Dollar in most of these 32 developed and EM currencies has either fallen in the past month from already modest levels or been broadly stable. Volatility in the high-yielding Brazilian Real and low-yielding Canadian Dollar, Czech Crown, Norwegian Krone and Hungarian Forint has fallen the most in absolute terms. However, there have been a few notable exceptions, including the Turkish Lira, Thai Baht and Chilean, Colombian and Philippines Pesos.USD/THB volatility has risen further in past month and is now near top end of its admittedly narrow 12-month range. The Baht has been choppy against a strong US Dollar, resulting in the Baht NEER appreciating 1.4% since the multi-year low recorded on 6th August.GBP/EUR volatility is currently at its lowest level since early June. Sterling’s appreciation against the Euro has been slow and steady, in line with our expectations. Volatility in global FX (and the S&amp;P 500) also remains very modest compared to volatility in other asset classes, notably US Treasuries and Brent crude oil (see Figure 5). Most of the price action has been in the US rates market in recent months, perhaps unsurprisingly given protracted debate about the timeline for Fed tapering and rate hikes.There are a number of factors behind this low transmission from US rates to Dollar crosses and equities but, as was the case in late-2019, FX markets are ultimately pricing in very little risk of policy, macro data or geopolitical surprises, in our view. 

Low Global FX Vol: Maturity or Complacency?

We suggest taking profits on our long-standing recommendation to buy the Mexican peso against the Canadian dollar. The peso has been among the best-performing currencies in EM this year helped by the central bank’s surprise rate hike at the last meeting. The Canadian dollar, meanwhile, has underperformed following last month’s dovish taper by the central bank. We remain constructive on the peso but opt to close the trade as we see the risk that the central bank conveys a dovish message at the next meeting even as it raises the policy rate.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.

We suggest taking profits on our long-standing recommendation to buy the Mexican peso against the Canadian dollar. The peso has been among the best-performing currencies in EM this year helped by the central bank’s surprise rate hike at the last meeting. The Canadian dollar, meanwhile, has underperformed following last month’s dovish taper by the central bank. We remain constructive on the peso but opt to close the trade as we see the risk that the central bank conveys a dovish message at the next meeting even as it raises the policy rate.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: Take Profits on Long Mexican Peso Vs Short Canadian Dollar

As a group, Asian currencies have underperformed the broad EM complex this year. Several factors are behind this underperformance: delay in the economic recovery due to the slow pace of vaccination, differences in monetary policy stances with much of the rest of EM already raising rates, and aggressive FX interventions. With these factors still broadly applicable, we see no reason for Asian currencies to outperform in the near term. Instead, we find differentiation among countries in Asia providing relative-value opportunities.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.

As a group, Asian currencies have underperformed the broad EM complex this year. Several factors are behind this underperformance: delay in the economic recovery due to the slow pace of vaccination, differences in monetary policy stances with much of the rest of EM already raising rates, and aggressive FX interventions. With these factors still broadly applicable, we see no reason for Asian currencies to outperform in the near term. Instead, we find differentiation among countries in Asia providing relative-value opportunities.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: Will Asian Currencies Continue to Underperform?

Brazil

The Brazilian real is the official currency of the Federative Republic of Brazil.  

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FX Dashboard: South African Rand’s Recent Underperformance to Continue

We expect the South African rand to lag with the growth outlook worsening due to the July riots and a slow vaccination pace, the central bank...

Gautam Jain, PhD, CFA

FX Dashboard: US Dollar, Commodities, and EM Currencies

We discuss our base-case view for the US dollar along with the risk scenarios and their implications for EM currencies. We also discuss the...

Gautam Jain, PhD, CFA

Low Global FX Vol: Maturity or Complacency?

Global FX vol is low by historical standards and relative to vol in US Treasuries, and for good resason. But FX markets are pricing in very little...

Olivier Desbarres

FX Dashboard: Take Profits on Long Mexican Peso Vs Short Canadian Dollar

We suggest taking profits on our long-standing recommendation to buy the Mexican peso against the Canadian dollar. The peso has been the best...

Gautam Jain, PhD, CFA

FX Dashboard: Will Asian Currencies Continue to Underperform?

Asian currencies have underperformed and are likely to continue doing so because of the impact on growth and monetary policy from the low...

Gautam Jain, PhD, CFA

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