Why MNI
MNI is the leading provider
of intelligence and analysis on the Global Fixed Income, Foreign Exchange and Energy markets. We use an innovative combination of real-time analysis, deep fundamental research and journalism to provide unique and actionable insights for traders and investors. Our "All signal, no noise" approach drives an intelligence service that is succinct and timely, which is highly regarded by our time constrained client base.Our Head Office is in London with offices in Chicago, Washington and Beijing, as well as an on the ground presence in other major financial centres across the world.
Executive summary
- Geopolitical and macro events (Ukraine war, supply chain disruptions, China slowdown) have led to stronger pressure on emerging markets this year, particularly in the CEE region.
- USD strength and accelerating inflation have ‘forced’ EM central banks to maintain their hawkish stance in 2022 and prolong their tightening cycle, therefore increasing the risk of accelerating the economic downturn.
Link to full publication:
The chart below shows that Latam and CEE have continued their aggressive tightening cycle in hopes to tame inflation, with Chile and Poland being the ‘most hawkish’ ones. However, momentum on CLP and PLN has remained bearish since the start of the year, with the two currencies down 4.1% and 10%, respectively. USDCLP broke above the 876.15 key resistance this week and is currently trading at an all-time high. TRY remains the worst performing currency in 2022 as dovish CBRT and deep negative real yields continue to weigh dramatically on the lira.
Despite EM policymakers’ effort, stagflation fears and market uncertainty keep weighing on EM FX; to the exception of BRL, MXN and ZAR, the rest of EM currencies are down in 2022 (If we look only at QE, all EM FX are down this quarter).
We left RUB aside as we do not think that the current spot rate reflects the ‘true market’ rate of the ruble (See our analysis on RUB here: Spot The Illusion Recovery)
With the Fed accelerating its tightening (75bps hike last week) and geopolitical uncertainty favoring demand for USD, EM policymakers are in a difficult position as further tightening will significantly impact the economic activity.
Source: Bloomberg/MNI
Why MNI
MNI is the leading provider
of intelligence and analysis on the Global Fixed Income, Foreign Exchange and Energy markets. We use an innovative combination of real-time analysis, deep fundamental research and journalism to provide unique and actionable insights for traders and investors. Our "All signal, no noise" approach drives an intelligence service that is succinct and timely, which is highly regarded by our time constrained client base.Our Head Office is in London with offices in Chicago, Washington and Beijing, as well as an on the ground presence in other major financial centres across the world.