Emerging market currencies face sell-off

Emerging markets have fared well this year, due to a combination of increased investor appetite for risk and strong fundamentals. Many emerging countries have also witnessed a rapid appreciation in their currencies, as foreigners pored money into direct and portfolio investments. As rates have risen in the developed world, however, many investors have begun to reevaluate the economics of such investments. In fact, the risk-return profile is changing to the extent that it may prove more efficient to invest money in lower-yielding, but safer American and European debt securities. The Financial Times reports:

“The market is only pricing in a 36 per cent chance of a rate rise in September…, so there is room for dollar upside, which would squeeze emerging markets.”

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