LONDON: Investors dipping their toes back into emerging markets are choosing hard currency debt which, thanks to rich yields and expectations for a stronger dollar, is the developing world’s best performing asset class this year.
The Institute of International Finance, which provides the most authoritative capital flows data, says emerging markets drew $25bn from global stock and bond investors in April, after combined $55bn inflows in February and March. Bonds attracted almost two-thirds of April flows, IIF said.
Separately, Boston-based EPFR Global, which tracks mutual funds, says emerging bond funds had net inflows of about $500m in the week to April 30, enjoying the fifth straight weeks of inflows.
But not all emerging debt fared well — dollar-denominated hard currency bonds attracted almost $300m, but those in local emerging currencies such as the South African rand and the Turkish lira saw outflows again, reflecting investors’ concern about currency weakness.
“People are not willing to take a high-beta fixed income view in terms of exposure to (local) FX where most of the volatility is. So there’s more of a focus on dollar carry,” said Fredrik Nerbrand, global head of asset allocation at HSBC. “It doesn’t mean we want to necessarily buy all EM credit — I suggest higher grade than lower grade. But valuation buffers in EM are sufficient in relative terms to offset high headline risks.”
Hard currency debt is the top performing emerging market asset this year, rising more than 5 percent to beat both emerging and developed equities as well as most high-grade and junk bonds in developed markets.
Dollar-denominated bonds give investors a uniquely high interest rate without the risk of local currency volatility. And appreciation in the dollar adds to returns. Local currency debt has only gained 2.8 percent this year in dollar terms.
Banks estimate there is a historically high 100-125 basis points pick-up in yield for those buying emerging sovereign debt, compared with Western corporates with comparable ratings.
Reuters
