EM Fixed Income: Brace for a long, stormy summer
We provide a review of the themes which impacted Emerging Markets Fixed Income over Q2 2022 and an outlook for Q3
Key highlights
Key highlights
- Emerging markets fixed income (EMFI) delivered negative total returns in Q2. Emerging market asset performance during the third quarter of 2022 is likely to continue to be influenced by high inflation, fear of recession and ambiguity from developed markets (DM) central banks.
- EM central banks are far more advanced in their tightening cycles vs developed markets as they responded earlier. DM central banks looking at financial conditions before making any policy actions (regardless of current inflation) could exacerbate inflation expectations and market volatility.
- Geopolitical uncertainty remains elevated as the Russian invasion on Ukraine continues to disrupt markets and US-China relations deteriorate. Food and energy inflation is disrupting the social and political fabric in vulnerable emerging countries
- Value has been restored in EMFI. Spreads in EM HY credit are wide enough to compensate for higher potential defaults from vulnerable countries. Local yields are high and EMFX is cheap. However, global factors need to improve for that value to be realized.