Fixed Income and Currency Strategist

Gautam Jain, PhD, CFA

FX & Rates

With the US dollar and EM currencies on aggregate trading in a range for much of the year, their volatilities have dropped to the lowest level since the start of the pandemic. Since a drop in volatility engenders a carry-trade environment, we test this hypothesis on EM currencies and conclude that indeed currencies with high risk-adjusted carry have been outperforming, and vice versa. A currency that we continue to like from the perspective of improving carry is the Chilean peso.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 and EM currencies on aggregate trading in a range for much of the year, their volatilities have dropped to the lowest level since the start of the pandemic. Since a drop in volatility engenders a carry-trade environment, we test this hypothesis on EM currencies and conclude that indeed currencies with high risk-adjusted carry have been outperforming, and vice versa. A currency that we continue to like from the perspective of improving carry is the Chilean peso.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: Are EM Currencies in a Carry-Trade Environment?

The ruble has lagged the rally in oil prices, which is partly by design following the establishment of the fiscal rule by the Russian authorities. While the benefit of the improvement of the current account should be felt over the medium term, the factors that have been relevant in the near term have been monetary policy and the risk of sanctions. Both of these are now behind in our view, indicating that the ruble should broadly be driven by its beta to EM FX in the near term.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.

The ruble has lagged the rally in oil prices, which is partly by design following the establishment of the fiscal rule by the Russian authorities. While the benefit of the improvement of the current account should be felt over the medium term, the factors that have been relevant in the near term have been monetary policy and the risk of sanctions. Both of these are now behind in our view, indicating that the ruble should broadly be driven by its beta to EM FX in the near term.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: Russian Ruble Is Lagging the Rally in Oil

We revisit our thesis from early July when we argued that monetary policy was the primary driver of the differentiation within EM currencies. Based on current correlations, we modify the statement to say that the thesis now applies to most but not all currencies. We identify the outliers and connect them with our recent trade recommendation to buy the Chilean peso against the South African rand.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 revisit our thesis from early July when we argued that monetary policy was the primary driver of the differentiation within EM currencies. Based on current correlations, we modify the statement to say that the thesis now applies to most but not all currencies. We identify the outliers and connect them with our recent trade recommendation to buy the Chilean peso against the South African rand.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: Is Monetary Policy Still Driving FX Returns?

In this week’s Alpha Bites, we recommend buying the Chilean peso (CLP) against the South African rand (ZAR). The Chilean peso has been among the worst performers in EM over the past 6 months despite the recent hawkish surprise by its central bank. In contrast, the rand has fared much better despite worse macroeconomic fundamentals. Specifically, growth forecasts have been revised upwards for Chile but downwards for South Africa. The same is true with regards to inflation dynamics, which imply that Chile’s central bank should continue to raise rates while South Africa should stay on hold for the time being. Politics is a factor weighing on Chile, but the related risk premium is excessive in our view.

In this week’s Alpha Bites, we recommend buying the Chilean peso (CLP) against the South African rand (ZAR). The Chilean peso has been among the worst performers in EM over the past 6 months despite the recent hawkish surprise by its central bank. In contrast, the rand has fared much better despite worse macroeconomic fundamentals. Specifically, growth forecasts have been revised upwards for Chile but downwards for South Africa. The same is true with regards to inflation dynamics, which imply that Chile’s central bank should continue to raise rates while South Africa should stay on hold for the time being. Politics is a factor weighing on Chile, but the related risk premium is excessive in our view.

Alpha Bites: Long Chilean Peso Vs Short South African Rand

The Chilean central bank delivered a hawkish surprise at its meeting this week as it reacted to the sharp rise in economic activity and inflation expectations on the back of the strong monetary and fiscal accommodations. The resulting rise in short-end rates should be supportive for the currency in our view, even though the political noise going into the presidential election in November may keep its volatility high.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.

The Chilean central bank delivered a hawkish surprise at its meeting this week as it reacted to the sharp rise in economic activity and inflation expectations on the back of the strong monetary and fiscal accommodations. The resulting rise in short-end rates should be supportive for the currency in our view, even though the political noise going into the presidential election in November may keep its volatility high.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 Boosts the Peso with Aggressive Rate Hike

Chile

The Chilean peso is the official currency of the Republic of Chile.  The US dollar is the official currency of the United States of America.

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FX Dashboard: Are EM Currencies in a Carry-Trade Environment?

As the volatilities of the US dollar and EM currencies have dropped, we test the hypothesis and conclude that EM FX is in a carry-trade...

Gautam Jain, PhD, CFA

FX Dashboard: Russian Ruble Is Lagging the Rally in Oil

In the short term, the ruble is less dependent on oil prices and more on monetary policy and sanctions risk. With both of these drivers behind, the...

Gautam Jain, PhD, CFA

FX Dashboard: Is Monetary Policy Still Driving FX Returns?

We modify our thesis from early July when we argued that monetary policy was the primary driver of the differentiation within EM currencies to say...

Gautam Jain, PhD, CFA

Alpha Bites: Long Chilean Peso Vs Short South African Rand

We recommend Long Chilean peso/Short South African rand on better growth dynamics and a more hawkish central bank in Chile vs South Africa. The...

Gautam Jain, PhD, CFA

FX Dashboard: Chilean Central Bank Boosts the Peso with Aggressive Rate Hike

The Chilean central bank delivered a hawkish surprise resulting in a rise in short-end rates, which should be supportive for the currency, even...

Gautam Jain, PhD, CFA

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52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

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