Emerging markets
Frontier currencies gain traction with investors
FX strategists and currency managers report growing interest in frontier currencies such as the Kenyan shilling, Ugandan shilling and Nigerian naira
Weighing up the rupee
The growth of the Indian economy and the appreciation of the rupee in early 2012 have made the currency an attractive focus for forex investors, but strategists remain divided on the currency’s potential to rally further this year
Currency risk in Africa more perceived than real, says fund manager
Speaking at this week's African Investment Summit in London, Els Boerhof said diversification and a longer time horizon can reduce hedging costs
FX market looks to Brazil for LatAm returns
Brazil is a key area of focus for FX banks and interdealer brokers this year, despite the erratic behaviour of the Brazilian real towards the end of 2011 and the challenges arising from the currency’s non-convertibility. Melanie White reports
FX Invest Europe: Investors cautious on prospects for renminbi
Currency managers express a preference for alternative emerging market currencies to Chinese renminbi
FX Invest Europe: Developed market currencies still important despite EM buzz
The recovery of major economies will be crucial to the profitability of FX markets, despite the greater returns to be generated from emerging market currencies, according to conference speakers
Buy the Indian rupee, says State Street Global Advisors
Having been bearish on the rupee for several years, the firm's head of currency management has become more positive in recent months, and now rates the currency as a top EM bet
Exploit relative-value opportunities in EM currencies, says Investec
Turkish lira versus the Israeli shekel is a favourite relative-value play for Thanos Papasavvas, fixed-income and currency strategist at Investec Asset Management
UK banks ramp up RMB resources in London
Both RBS and HSBC have made senior appointments to prepare for the growth of renminbi in London. The new business heads talk to Chiara Albanese about their priorities
Yield makes a comeback
Two months into 2012, Mitul Kotecha assesses the modest healing process that appears to have taken hold in currency markets after a period of marked risk aversion, and explains why yield is becoming a key factor influencing investor appetite
LTRO has jump-started currency investors out of risk aversion, says Pimco
Currency investors appear to have moved away from risk aversion and become more interested in high-yielding EM currencies as a result of the ECB’s refinancing operation, according to Pimco’s head of FX
Bric currencies dependent on Chinese policy on renminbi, says L&G strategist
Brazil, Russia and India see China as their main competitor and will wait until the country allows appreciation of the yuan before they follow suit
Growth of ruble spot market depends on settlement issues, say brokers
Average daily volume in the ruble spot market is estimated to be around $20 billion, but participants say it could grow by four times if institutions embrace real-time gross settlement and the ruble becomes a CLS currency
Offshore RMB remains a challenge for corporates
UK chancellor George Osborne is pushing hard for London to become the next financial centre for the trading of renminbi, but despite the blaze of publicity surrounding his visit to Asia this week, some corporates remain daunted by the new currency…
Wiedmann departs Credit Suisse as FX merges with EM fixed income
Merged unit, known as global currencies and emerging markets, will be established on January 1 under the leadership of Chris Corson and Todd Sandoz
Strategic currency hedging in emerging markets
When hedging currency markets, one should treat developed and emerging markets separately, as their behaviour can vary significantly, argues Edward Murray
FX Week Europe: Full coverage
FX Week presents full coverage of the FX Week Europe event on December 1, including two keynote addresses, five panel discussions and the Best Banks Awards
FX Week Europe: Investors warned to be prudent on EM currencies
Senior strategists and currency managers warn emerging market currencies are no panacea to the troubles in the eurozone
Spotlight on: Collin Crownover, SSgA
State Street Global Advisors’ head of currency management talks to Joel Clark about investor appetite for G-10 and emerging market currencies, and how his global team has managed the volatility and political uncertainty that has characterised the foreign…
FX Invest Middle East: Further economic weakness ahead for Mena, warns World Bank
Keynote speaker at FX Invest conference in Dubai says the current outlook for the Middle East and Africa is 10% unemployment and 4% growth, while figures for China are the reverse
Arends and currency team depart Henderson
Five departures follow the asset manager's decision to close its currency hedge fund and absolute return fund
FX Invest Middle East: Volatility is tough and unsustainable, say managers
Delegates at FX Invest conference in Dubai discuss Japanese intervention, the value of emerging market currencies and their outlook on volatility
Turkish intervention poses threat of inverted currency war
A wave of intervention by Turkey and Poland’s central banks to strengthen the lira and the zloty could lead to an inverted currency war if other central banks follow suit, according to strategists. Chiara Albanese reports
Swain to manage GFI's new Swiss office
New office in Nyon will focus on emerging market products