Fixed Income and Currency Strategist

Gautam Jain, PhD, CFA

FX & Rates

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?

We are not expecting the FOMC meeting tomorrow to be market-moving. Having said that, with the (negative) correlation between the US dollar and EM currencies the highest since 2012, any implications for the dollar from the meeting tomorrow would ripple through EM currencies. This impact is likely to get exacerbated by the rising correlations within the EM FX universe, which implies that we are currently in a "risk-on/risk-off" period.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 are not expecting the FOMC meeting tomorrow to be market-moving. Having said that, with the (negative) correlation between the US dollar and EM currencies the highest since 2012, any implications for the dollar from the meeting tomorrow would ripple through EM currencies. This impact is likely to get exacerbated by the rising correlations within the EM FX universe, which implies that we are currently in a "risk-on/risk-off" period.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: Cross-Correlations Between EM Currencies Rise Sharply

The RRR cut by PBOC last week has thrown the market into confusion. Our view is that this is not the beginning of an aggressive easing cycle, rather a preemptive move to ensure that the economic recovery stays in place. However, the move has led to concerns about the extent of economic weakness in China ahead, which if true could be negative for the renminbi and, in turn, 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.

The RRR cut by PBOC last week has thrown the market into confusion. Our view is that this is not the beginning of an aggressive easing cycle, rather a preemptive move to ensure that the economic recovery stays in place. However, the move has led to concerns about the extent of economic weakness in China ahead, which if true could be negative for the renminbi and, in turn, 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: Spillover Risk from China to EM FX

In this week’s Alpha Bites, we recommend buying the Malaysian ringgit (MYR) against the Chinese renminbi (CNY) in a beta-neutral ratio. PBOC’s surprise RRR cut indicates concerns about the economy losing momentum as evidenced by recent data and should thus prevent strong fixings for the currency. The ringgit, meanwhile, has underperformed due to rising coronavirus cases and political uncertainty. However, the rapid vaccination pace, higher oil prices, and a new fiscal stimulus package should counter the headwinds to growth in Malaysia in our view.

In this week’s Alpha Bites, we recommend buying the Malaysian ringgit (MYR) against the Chinese renminbi (CNY) in a beta-neutral ratio. PBOC’s surprise RRR cut indicates concerns about the economy losing momentum as evidenced by recent data and should thus prevent strong fixings for the currency. The ringgit, meanwhile, has underperformed due to rising coronavirus cases and political uncertainty. However, the rapid vaccination pace, higher oil prices, and a new fiscal stimulus package should counter the headwinds to growth in Malaysia in our view.

Alpha Bites: Long Malaysian Ringgit Vs Short Chinese Renminbi

While our base case is not one of significant dollar strengthening, we need to be cognizant of the risk. As such, we evaluate which currencies are the most vulnerable if we get a repeat of the Q1 dollar appreciation and EM FX sell-off on the back of higher US Treasury yields.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.

While our base case is not one of significant dollar strengthening, we need to be cognizant of the risk. As such, we evaluate which currencies are the most vulnerable if we get a repeat of the Q1 dollar appreciation and EM FX sell-off on the back of higher US Treasury yields.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: Which Currencies Are Most Vulnerable to Dollar Strengthening?

Malaysia

The Malaysian ringgit is the official currency of the Federation of Malaysia. 

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

MYR (USDMYR CURNCY)

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

FX Dashboard: Cross-Correlations Between EM Currencies Rise Sharply

While we are not expecting the FOMC meeting tomorrow to be market-moving, we need to watch for any impact on the dollar as it would ripple through...

Gautam Jain, PhD, CFA

FX Dashboard: Spillover Risk from China to EM FX

The RRR cut by PBOC last week has led to concerns about the extent of economic weakness in China ahead, which if true could be negative for the...

Gautam Jain, PhD, CFA

Alpha Bites: Long Malaysian Ringgit Vs Short Chinese Renminbi

We recommend Long Malaysian ringgit/Short Chinese yuan as we expect yuan to underperform following the shift to an easing stance by PBOC while...

Gautam Jain, PhD, CFA

FX Dashboard: Which Currencies Are Most Vulnerable to Dollar Strengthening?

We evaluate which currencies are the most vulnerable under the risk scenario of a repeat of the Q1 dollar appreciation and EM FX sell-off on the...

Gautam Jain, PhD, CFA

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)