Fixed Income and Currency Strategist

Gautam Jain, PhD, CFA

FX & Rates

<ul>
<li>The performance of EM rates this year should be driven primarily by the behavior of US rates and domestic monetary policy, with fiscal policy playing less of a role.</li>
<li>Among the outliers in 2021, the moves in Indonesia, Poland, and Hungary were appropriate, but Brazil looks vulnerable. Instead of an outright payer in Brazil though, I like a steepener.</li>
<li>Besides Brazil, I like steepening trades in Russia, Czechia, and Colombia as curves should bull-steepen this year. Another one to track this year with a similar idea is Chile.</li>
</ul>


The performance of EM rates this year should be driven primarily by the behavior of US rates and domestic monetary policy, with fiscal policy playing less of a role.
Among the outliers in 2021, the moves in Indonesia, Poland, and Hungary were appropriate, but Brazil looks vulnerable. Instead of an outright payer in Brazil though, I like a steepener.
Besides Brazil, I like steepening trades in Russia, Czechia, and Colombia as curves should bull-steepen this year. Another one to track this year with a similar idea is Chile.


Gems Among Stones: EM Rates’ 2021 Performance and What to Expect in 2022

We expect South Africa's rate curve to steepen as recent riots have slowed the economic recovery, likely pushing monetary tightening further out. Meanwhile, the worsening fiscal balance and outflows should pressure the long end higher. Instead of positioning for steepening now, we would wait for the curve to steepen to enter a flattener.Separately, the attached file is a snapshot of the EM 10y rates market in which we seek to identify the leaders and laggards among countries by comparing the performance of each to its history as well as to other countries based on their respective betas to an EM rates index.

We expect South Africa's rate curve to steepen as recent riots have slowed the economic recovery, likely pushing monetary tightening further out. Meanwhile, the worsening fiscal balance and outflows should pressure the long end higher. Instead of positioning for steepening now, we would wait for the curve to steepen to enter a flattener.Separately, the attached file is a snapshot of the EM 10y rates market in which we seek to identify the leaders and laggards among countries by comparing the performance of each to its history as well as to other countries based on their respective betas to an EM rates index.

Rates 10y Dashboard: South Africa’s Rate Curve Set to Steepen

US long-end yields may be headed for a summer lull. If so, it could set up a period where EM rates make up for some of their previous underperformance. We identify the countries that stand to benefit if this scenario plays out.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.

US long-end yields may be headed for a summer lull. If so, it could set up a period where EM rates make up for some of their previous underperformance. We identify the countries that stand to benefit if this scenario plays out.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.

Rates 10y Dashboard: Which Countries Stand to Benefit as EM Rates Volatility Falls?

In our monthly trade ideas recap note, we provide a performance update of the trade recommendations in FX and rates that we make on a weekly basis and discuss those we closed last month. We have made a total of 18 trade recommendations so far, of which 13 are in the money.

In our monthly trade ideas recap note, we provide a performance update of the trade recommendations in FX and rates that we make on a weekly basis and discuss those we closed last month. We have made a total of 18 trade recommendations so far, of which 13 are in the money.

Alpha Bites: Trade Ideas Performance Summary – July 2021

Poland's central bank held rates steady at the MPC meeting last month while Hungary and Czechia embarked on their tightening cycles. Rates in Poland have thus outperformed its counterparts, weighing on our trade recommendation to Receive Czech 2y vs Pay Poland 2y rate. We maintain the recommendation because we expect rates in Poland to catch up with its neighbors as the economy is rebounding strongly which should lead to persistent inflationary pressures.Separately, the attached file is a snapshot of the EM 10y rates market in which we seek to identify the leaders and laggards among countries by comparing the performance of each to its history as well as to other countries based on their respective betas to an EM rates index.

Poland's central bank held rates steady at the MPC meeting last month while Hungary and Czechia embarked on their tightening cycles. Rates in Poland have thus outperformed its counterparts, weighing on our trade recommendation to Receive Czech 2y vs Pay Poland 2y rate. We maintain the recommendation because we expect rates in Poland to catch up with its neighbors as the economy is rebounding strongly which should lead to persistent inflationary pressures.Separately, the attached file is a snapshot of the EM 10y rates market in which we seek to identify the leaders and laggards among countries by comparing the performance of each to its history as well as to other countries based on their respective betas to an EM rates index.

Rates 10y Dashboard: Interest Rates in Poland Diverge from Neighbors

South Africa

A vanila interest rate swap us an agreement between two counterparties to exchange cashflows (fixed vs floating) in the same currency. This agreement is often used by counterparties to change their fixed cashflows to floating or vice versa. The payments are made during the life of the swap in the frequency that is pre-established by the counterparties.

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ZAR 10Y (SASW10 CURNCY)

Gems Among Stones: EM Rates’ 2021 Performance and What to Expect in 2022

Among the outliers in 2021, Brazil looks vulnerable. Instead of an outright payer though, I like a curve steepening trade in Brazil as I do in...

Gautam Jain, PhD, CFA

Rates 10y Dashboard: South Africa’s Rate Curve Set to Steepen

We expect South Africa's rate curve to steepen as recent riots have slowed the economic recovery, likely pushing rate hikes further out. We would...

Gautam Jain, PhD, CFA

Rates 10y Dashboard: Which Countries Stand to Benefit as EM Rates Volatility Falls?

With US long-end yields likely headed for a summer lull, EM rates could make up for some of their previous underperformance. We identify the...

Gautam Jain, PhD, CFA

Alpha Bites: Trade Ideas Performance Summary – July 2021

We provide a performance update of all our trade recommendations along with discussing those we closed last month. We have made a total of 18...

Gautam Jain, PhD, CFA

Rates 10y Dashboard: Interest Rates in Poland Diverge from Neighbors

Despite the rally in Poland's rates on the back of the dovish central bank, we continue to recommend paying Poland 2y rates against receiving Czech...

Gautam Jain, PhD, CFA

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