Fixed Income and Currency Strategist

Gautam Jain, PhD, CFA

FX & Rates

<ul>
<li>Even as the US 10y yield has come off the peak, rates in emerging markets – including in Asia – have been selling off as they remain under pressure.</li>
<li>Rates in Asia are vulnerable as they are expensive vis-à-vis the rest of EM, rising inflation should result in further rate hikes in the region, and debt profiles have deteriorated.</li>
<li>I thus expect rates in Asia to underperform and prefer selling bonds in the region paired with long bond positions in countries in other regions.</li>
</ul>


Even as the US 10y yield has come off the peak, rates in emerging markets – including in Asia – have been selling off as they remain under pressure.
Rates in Asia are vulnerable as they are expensive vis-à-vis the rest of EM, rising inflation should result in further rate hikes in the region, and debt profiles have deteriorated.
I thus expect rates in Asia to underperform and prefer selling bonds in the region paired with long bond positions in countries in other regions.


Yields in Asia Are Far from the Peak – Part II

<ul>
<li>The Reserve Bank of India roiled the market yesterday with an unexpected inter-meeting policy rate increase, leading to rates moving higher across the curve.</li>
<li>I have been arguing for a few months that the RBI needs to start raising rates based on the high inflation and narrowing rate differential with the US.</li>
<li>Despite the move higher in rates in India, I continue to like paying rates in India, particularly against receivers in other countries to hedge against the volatile US rates.</li>
</ul>


The Reserve Bank of India roiled the market yesterday with an unexpected inter-meeting policy rate increase, leading to rates moving higher across the curve.
I have been arguing for a few months that the RBI needs to start raising rates based on the high inflation and narrowing rate differential with the US.
Despite the move higher in rates in India, I continue to like paying rates in India, particularly against receivers in other countries to hedge against the volatile US rates.


India’s “Surprise” Rate Hike Was Overdue

<ul>
<li>Rates in Asia are among the worst performers this year, but they remain expensive – relative to the US and to their own history – and should continue to underperform.</li>
<li>Other reasons for rates in Asia to sell off include: a marked increase in inflation, low projected real rates, currencies turning volatile, and deteriorating debt profiles.</li>
<li>I like paying rates in Asia by pairing them with receivers in countries in other regions. China is an exception in the region as it remains in an easing mode.</li>
</ul>


Rates in Asia are among the worst performers this year, but they remain expensive – relative to the US and to their own history – and should continue to underperform.
Other reasons for rates in Asia to sell off include: a marked increase in inflation, low projected real rates, currencies turning volatile, and deteriorating debt profiles.
I like paying rates in Asia by pairing them with receivers in countries in other regions. China is an exception in the region as it remains in an easing mode.


<ul>
<li>Following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, it is only a matter of time before the US and other western allies impose a new set of economic sanctions on Russia</li>
<li>A directive from the US Treasury this week expanded the restrictions on Russian bonds as it prohibits participating in the secondary market of new bonds, thereby cutting financing for Russia. </li>
<li>With new sanctions on the way, the risks to Russian bonds have increased. I list the possible risks for holders of Russian bonds under different scenarios.</li>
</ul>


Following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, it is only a matter of time before the US and other western allies impose a new set of economic sanctions on Russia
A directive from the US Treasury this week expanded the restrictions on Russian bonds as it prohibits participating in the secondary market of new bonds, thereby cutting financing for Russia. 
With new sanctions on the way, the risks to Russian bonds have increased. I list the possible risks for holders of Russian bonds under different scenarios.


Risks to Russian Bonds from Escalating Sanctions

Chief Economist & Political Strategist, CrossASEAN Research

Prasenjit K. Basu

Chief Economist & Political Strategist

CrossASEAN Research

At CrossASEAN Research we strive to produce unbiased and differentiated on the ground insights on companies across South East Asia. Our Research is produced for the most part after face to face meetings and conversations with company management to dig deep into the long term vision and strategy of the companies we cover. We seek to deliver investable and actionable themes on sectors and markets across SE Asia, often in collaboration with other Insight Providers across the region, pooling the vast experience of the analysts within the Smartkarma Ecosystem. We also offer bespoke work and tailor made trips for our clients. 

Insights across South East Asia

Macroeconomics

Led by a powerful rebound in exports (+38.1% YoY in Jul-Sep 2021, and 43.4% YoY in Jan-Sep 2021) and stronger investment spending evident in capital goods output (+19.1% YoY in August, +60.1% YoY in Apr-Aug 2021) and machinery imports (+53.1% YoY in Apr-Sep 2021), we continue to expect at least 10.5% real GDP growth in FY2021/22 (well above the IMF's forecast of 9.5%). Private consumption has been relatively sluggish, but shows signs of a pickup since September. After likely growth of 15% YoY in 1H-FY2021/22, real GDP will comfortably exceed 6% YoY growth in the second half of the fiscal year. 
The external balances remain particularly robust, with a current account surplus of 1.25% of GDP in FY2020/21 followed by a surplus of 0.9% of GDP in 1Q-FY2021/22 (Apr-Jun 2021) despite a sharply wider merchandise-trade deficit. With robust capital inflows, India's foreign reserves have risen 16% YoY to US$639.5 billion as of 8 October 2021. The fiscal deficit will likely be much smaller than the officially-projected figure, as revenues have soared while expenditure has been restrained: in the first 5 months of FY2021/22 (Apr-Aug 2021), the fiscal deficit was just 31.1% of the projected estimate for the full fiscal year -- particularly helped by the 70.5% YoY rise in net tax revenues, led by corporate tax revenue rising 160% YoY and customs duties 136% YoY. Given the robust external liquidity position, and a sharp improvement in the fiscal balance, we expect the global rating agencies to be obliged to raise India's sovereign rating by a notch over the next year. 
The strong fiscal position allows the possibility of reductions in excise duties on petroleum products to keep those prices in check as global crude-oil prices rise. CPI inflation (the RBI's inflation target) has already moderated to 4.35% YoY in September, and will likely moderate to 4% by November as the near-normal monsoon results in a bountiful kharif harvest. We expect CPI inflation to remain below 5% YoY in Jan-Mar 2022 too (despite the low base, which leads the RBI to forecast 5.8% inflation during that quarter). With inflation surprising to the downside, we think the RBI will have room for a cut in the policy rate (or other easing measures such as reductions in CRR) after the next Budget is presented. Despite challenging valuations (which will improve as the economy strengthens further and EPS growth stays robust), we recommend staying Overweight India.

Led by a powerful rebound in exports (+38.1% YoY in Jul-Sep 2021, and 43.4% YoY in Jan-Sep 2021) and stronger investment spending evident in capital goods output (+19.1% YoY in August, +60.1% YoY in Apr-Aug 2021) and machinery imports (+53.1% YoY in Apr-Sep 2021), we continue to expect at least 10.5% real GDP growth in FY2021/22 (well above the IMF's forecast of 9.5%). Private consumption has been relatively sluggish, but shows signs of a pickup since September. After likely growth of 15% YoY in 1H-FY2021/22, real GDP will comfortably exceed 6% YoY growth in the second half of the fiscal year. 
The external balances remain particularly robust, with a current account surplus of 1.25% of GDP in FY2020/21 followed by a surplus of 0.9% of GDP in 1Q-FY2021/22 (Apr-Jun 2021) despite a sharply wider merchandise-trade deficit. With robust capital inflows, India's foreign reserves have risen 16% YoY to US$639.5 billion as of 8 October 2021. The fiscal deficit will likely be much smaller than the officially-projected figure, as revenues have soared while expenditure has been restrained: in the first 5 months of FY2021/22 (Apr-Aug 2021), the fiscal deficit was just 31.1% of the projected estimate for the full fiscal year -- particularly helped by the 70.5% YoY rise in net tax revenues, led by corporate tax revenue rising 160% YoY and customs duties 136% YoY. Given the robust external liquidity position, and a sharp improvement in the fiscal balance, we expect the global rating agencies to be obliged to raise India's sovereign rating by a notch over the next year. 
The strong fiscal position allows the possibility of reductions in excise duties on petroleum products to keep those prices in check as global crude-oil prices rise. CPI inflation (the RBI's inflation target) has already moderated to 4.35% YoY in September, and will likely moderate to 4% by November as the near-normal monsoon results in a bountiful kharif harvest. We expect CPI inflation to remain below 5% YoY in Jan-Mar 2022 too (despite the low base, which leads the RBI to forecast 5.8% inflation during that quarter). With inflation surprising to the downside, we think the RBI will have room for a cut in the policy rate (or other easing measures such as reductions in CRR) after the next Budget is presented. Despite challenging valuations (which will improve as the economy strengthens further and EPS growth stays robust), we recommend staying Overweight India.  

India: Capex- & Export-Led Rebound Likely to Receive Fiscal and Monetary Fillip Too

India

Overnight Indexed Swap (OIS) is a fixed/float interest rate swap where the floating leg is computed using a published overnight index rate. The index rate is typically the rate for overnight unsecured lending between banks, for example the Federal funds rate for US dollars, Eonia for Euros or Sonia for sterling

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Yields in Asia Are Far from the Peak – Part II

Rates in Asia are vulnerable to further correction as they are expensive versus the rest of EM, rising inflation should result in further rate...

Gautam Jain, PhD, CFA

India’s “Surprise” Rate Hike Was Overdue

India's rate hike yesterday was in line with my view as I have been arguing for it based on the high inflation and narrowing rate differential with...

Gautam Jain, PhD, CFA

Yields in Asia Are Far from the Peak

Rates in Asia are among the worst performers this year, but they should continue to underperform on the back of expensive valuations, rising...

Gautam Jain, PhD, CFA

Risks to Russian Bonds from Escalating Sanctions

With new sanctions on the way, the risks to Russian bonds have increased. I list the possible risks for holders of Russian bonds under different...

Gautam Jain, PhD, CFA

India: Capex- & Export-Led Rebound Likely to Receive Fiscal and Monetary Fillip Too

After likely real GDP growth of 15%YoY in Apr-Sep21, the fiscal coffers are full; this will allow oil excise duty cuts. With inflation below 5%,...

Prasenjit K. Basu

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