Fixed Income and Currency Strategist

Gautam Jain, PhD, CFA

FX & Rates

<ul>
<li>In line with my view, the US dollar remains strong, with the invasion of Ukraine by Russia providing additional safe-haven bids and putting pressure on EM currencies. </li>
<li>Among EM currencies, the worst hit are Central European currencies as the war has created headwinds to growth in the region especially due to the spike in energy prices.</li>
<li>Authorities in the eurozone and Central Europe have taken steps to mitigate the impact on their economies but the proximity to the war means that some risk premium will remain.</li>
</ul>


In line with my view, the US dollar remains strong, with the invasion of Ukraine by Russia providing additional safe-haven bids and putting pressure on EM currencies. 
Among EM currencies, the worst hit are Central European currencies as the war has created headwinds to growth in the region especially due to the spike in energy prices.
Authorities in the eurozone and Central Europe have taken steps to mitigate the impact on their economies but the proximity to the war means that some risk premium will remain.


In the Line of Fire – Impact on Central European Currencies from Russia’s Invasion

<ul>
<li>In an environment marked by uncertainty with regards to the dollar's next move, EM currencies have been stable and LatAm currencies have outperformed Asia and CEEMEA so far this year.</li>
<li>The strong start for LatAm currencies is partly to make up for their underperformance last year and partly supported by their high carry relative to other currencies.</li>
<li>If risk aversion remains low, this trend should persist but given the uncertainty, it is best to be selective and target relative-value trades to take advantage of differences across countries.</li>
</ul>


In an environment marked by uncertainty with regards to the dollar's next move, EM currencies have been stable and LatAm currencies have outperformed Asia and CEEMEA so far this year.
The strong start for LatAm currencies is partly to make up for their underperformance last year and partly supported by their high carry relative to other currencies.
If risk aversion remains low, this trend should persist but given the uncertainty, it is best to be selective and target relative-value trades to take advantage of differences across countries.


Will Latin American Currencies Continue to Outperform Against Asia and CEEMEA?

<ul>
<li>Given the strong performance of several Latin American currencies in recent days, it is fair to ask if these returns are being driven purely by their high carry.</li>
<li>To address this question, we compare the performance of each currency, adjusted by its beta, with its carry, adjusted for its volatility.</li>
<li>While there is some overlap between performance and carry, we find no strong correlation, leading us to conclude that we are currently not in a carry-trade environment.</li>
</ul>


Given the strong performance of several Latin American currencies in recent days, it is fair to ask if these returns are being driven purely by their high carry.
To address this question, we compare the performance of each currency, adjusted by its beta, with its carry, adjusted for its volatility.
While there is some overlap between performance and carry, we find no strong correlation, leading us to conclude that we are currently not in a carry-trade environment.


Is Carry Driving the Returns of EM Currencies?

<ul>
<li>The US dollar has started appreciating again on the back of a safe-haven bid with risk aversion rising due to the Fed's upcoming rate-hiking cycle and the Russia-Ukraine tensions.</li>
<li>Given my expectation of rising dollar volatility, I had recommended hedging a diversified EMFX portfolio with the euro. Indeed, the euro hedge has worked well over the past three months.</li>
<li>I continue to prescribe maintaining the euro hedge. If the dollar remains volatile, I don't expect the low volatility of EM currencies – dragged lower by Asia – to persist. </li>
</ul>


The US dollar has started appreciating again on the back of a safe-haven bid with risk aversion rising due to the Fed's upcoming rate-hiking cycle and the Russia-Ukraine tensions.
Given my expectation of rising dollar volatility, I had recommended hedging a diversified EMFX portfolio with the euro. Indeed, the euro hedge has worked well over the past three months.
I continue to prescribe maintaining the euro hedge. If the dollar remains volatile, I don't expect the low volatility of EM currencies – dragged lower by Asia – to persist. 


Value of Euro as a Hedge for EM Currencies in Times Like These

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<ul><li>This week has been crucial for markets. Because some of the most important central banks released their monetary policy expectations for next year</li><li>The Fed will accelerate the tapering (from $15 Bln to $30 Bln) and its officials now expect to raise interest rates three times next year and three times in 2023</li><li>The ECB has been probably the most dovish among the central banks: it left key rates unchanged and it doesn’t foresee to raise them in 2022</li></ul>

This week has been crucial for markets. Because some of the most important central banks released their monetary policy expectations for next yearThe Fed will accelerate the tapering (from $15 Bln to $30 Bln) and its officials now expect to raise interest rates three times next year and three times in 2023The ECB has been probably the most dovish among the central banks: it left key rates unchanged and it doesn’t foresee to raise them in 2022

The week of the Central Banks: expectations, surprises and reactions

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In the Line of Fire – Impact on Central European Currencies from Russia’s Invasion

Russia's invasion has given another leg up to the US dollar, weighing on EM currencies, particularly in Central Europe despite the steps they have...

Gautam Jain, PhD, CFA

Will Latin American Currencies Continue to Outperform Against Asia and CEEMEA?

If risk aversion remains low, LatAm currencies should continue to outperform but given the uncertainty, it is best to target relative-value trades...

Gautam Jain, PhD, CFA

Is Carry Driving the Returns of EM Currencies?

The high carry of a few currencies appears to be one factor behind their recent strong performance, but on further examination, I conclude that we...

Gautam Jain, PhD, CFA

Value of Euro as a Hedge for EM Currencies in Times Like These

Given my expectation that the dollar should remain volatile in the near term, I continue to recommend maintaining a euro hedge for a diversified...

Gautam Jain, PhD, CFA

The week of the Central Banks: expectations, surprises and reactions

This week has been crucial for markets. Because some of the most important central banks released their monetary policy expectations for next year

Market Radar

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)