Fixed Income and Currency Strategist

Gautam Jain, PhD, CFA

FX & Rates

In this week’s Alpha Bites, we recommend buying the Thai baht (THB) against the Singapore dollar (SGD) in a beta-neutral ratio. After lagging for much of the year, THB has finally started catching up with its EM peers as coronavirus cases have peaked and vaccinations have picked up, allowing for tourism to return. In the case of Singapore, the MAS started tightening monetary policy at the last semiannual review, but growth is not strong enough to justify significant further tightening yet. Besides, SGD appreciated immediately after the MAS announcement, reflecting the move.

In this week’s Alpha Bites, we recommend buying the Thai baht (THB) against the Singapore dollar (SGD) in a beta-neutral ratio. After lagging for much of the year, THB has finally started catching up with its EM peers as coronavirus cases have peaked and vaccinations have picked up, allowing for tourism to return. In the case of Singapore, the MAS started tightening monetary policy at the last semiannual review, but growth is not strong enough to justify significant further tightening yet. Besides, SGD appreciated immediately after the MAS announcement, reflecting the move.

Alpha Bites: Long Thai Baht (THB) Vs Short Singapore Dollar (SGD)

Between July and October, Asian currencies underperformed against the rest of EM. In this note, I address the question: Is the period of underperformance for Asian currencies now behind? With the economic recovery back on track as coronavirus cases drop amid high levels of vaccinations, further monetary easing no longer in the cards, and FX interventions slowing, I expect Asian currencies on aggregate to trade broadly in line with the rest of EM in the near term but not outperform. From a strategy standpoint, I would opportunistically target specific currencies that have underperformed, such as the Thai baht.Separately, the attached file is a snapshot of the EM currency market in which I 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.

Between July and October, Asian currencies underperformed against the rest of EM. In this note, I address the question: Is the period of underperformance for Asian currencies now behind? With the economic recovery back on track as coronavirus cases drop amid high levels of vaccinations, further monetary easing no longer in the cards, and FX interventions slowing, I expect Asian currencies on aggregate to trade broadly in line with the rest of EM in the near term but not outperform. From a strategy standpoint, I would opportunistically target specific currencies that have underperformed, such as the Thai baht.Separately, the attached file is a snapshot of the EM currency market in which I 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.

Is the Period of Underperformance for Asian Currencies Over?

After strengthening through early October, the US dollar has turned trendless. I evaluate the change in performance of EM currencies when the dollar was at a peak versus now. Specifically, I go over the regional and country divergences to identify the outperformers and underperformers. I also highlight the currencies where I see the most value.Separately, the attached file is a snapshot of the EM currency market in which I 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.

After strengthening through early October, the US dollar has turned trendless. I evaluate the change in performance of EM currencies when the dollar was at a peak versus now. Specifically, I go over the regional and country divergences to identify the outperformers and underperformers. I also highlight the currencies where I see the most value.Separately, the attached file is a snapshot of the EM currency market in which I 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: Updating EM FX Winners and Losers

As the US dollar has come off the peak, EM currencies have benefited, including Asian currencies. The Thai baht is among the currencies that have performed well lately as it has been supported by easing of curbs on falling coronavirus cases, signs of tourism picking up, raising of the debt ceiling to create space for further fiscal stimulus, and the central bank turning less dovish. While there is ample room for the baht to make up its lag with the rest of EM, the currency's recovery is likely to be gradual and marked by volatility.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 the US dollar has come off the peak, EM currencies have benefited, including Asian currencies. The Thai baht is among the currencies that have performed well lately as it has been supported by easing of curbs on falling coronavirus cases, signs of tourism picking up, raising of the debt ceiling to create space for further fiscal stimulus, and the central bank turning less dovish. While there is ample room for the baht to make up its lag with the rest of EM, the currency's recovery is likely to be gradual and marked by volatility.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 the Thai Baht Finally Turning?

Following the hawkish surprise at the last meeting, the Chilean central bank is likely to raise the pace of tightening even further at the MPC meeting tomorrow. Inflation has been rising steadily as the recovery picked up strongly on the back of the strong fiscal and monetary stimulus. More worrisome for the central bank is that long-term inflation expectations have deteriorated. The currency depreciation meanwhile has picked up pace as political uncertainty has risen, adding to inflationary risks. The central bank is thus likely to raise rates very aggressively to anchor inflation expectations and the currency in our view and is possibly evaluating a currency intervention program. Our bullish recommendations on the currency have taken a hit lately.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.

Following the hawkish surprise at the last meeting, the Chilean central bank is likely to raise the pace of tightening even further at the MPC meeting tomorrow. Inflation has been rising steadily as the recovery picked up strongly on the back of the strong fiscal and monetary stimulus. More worrisome for the central bank is that long-term inflation expectations have deteriorated. The currency depreciation meanwhile has picked up pace as political uncertainty has risen, adding to inflationary risks. The central bank is thus likely to raise rates very aggressively to anchor inflation expectations and the currency in our view and is possibly evaluating a currency intervention program. Our bullish recommendations on the currency have taken a hit lately.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 Is Set to Deliver Another Hawkish Surprise

Thailand

The Thai baht is the official currency of Thailand. 

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Alpha Bites: Long Thai Baht (THB) Vs Short Singapore Dollar (SGD)

I recommend a Long Thai baht/Short Singapore dollar trade as growth in Thailand is finally starting to pick up but is not strong enough in...

Gautam Jain, PhD, CFA

Is the Period of Underperformance for Asian Currencies Over?

After underperforming between July and October, I expect Asian currencies on aggregate to perform broadly in line with the rest of EM in the near...

Gautam Jain, PhD, CFA

FX Dashboard: Updating EM FX Winners and Losers

As the US dollar turns trendless, I go over the regional and country divergences to identify the outperformers and underperformers in EM. I also...

Gautam Jain, PhD, CFA

FX Dashboard: Is the Thai Baht Finally Turning?

The Thai baht has performed well lately on the easing of curbs and tourism picking up. While there is ample room to make up its previous lag, the...

Gautam Jain, PhD, CFA

FX Dashboard: Chilean Central Bank Is Set to Deliver Another Hawkish Surprise

Following the substantial deterioration of long-term inflation expectations along with the sharp currency depreciation, we expect the central bank...

Gautam Jain, PhD, CFA

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52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)