Robin Brooks, who until March 2017 was Goldman’s chief FX strategist (and provided countless hours of entertainment for FX traders who had a habit of fading his recos), recently moved to the Institute of International Finance where he has focused more on the fund flow side of global macro and capital flows, a very relevant topic in light of the ongoing Emerging Markets rout.
So, in this context, in a recent tweet, Brooks touched on a very interesting topic: is the current Emerging Market rout better or worse than the Taper Tantrum of 2013. His answer, visualized below, shows that (in addition to an odd surge in the UAH in recent months), it is for now impossible to determine with any certainty, whether the Feb-May 2018 rout has been more violent than the Taper Tantrum, although for certain nations, like Argentina, Turkey, and as of today, Brazil, the answer is rather obvious.
His take below:
A question we get a lot is how bearish on EM we are here, given how much some currencies have fallen. Answer: pretty bearish. Reason is underlying driver of this sell-off — the rise in G-3 yields — is small vs 2013 taper tantrum. If a small shock does this, all is not well…
And speaking of Argentina and Turkey, here is a bonus take from Brooks, in which he attempts to quantify what is the potential for contagion from Argentina and Turkey to the rest of the EM. Here is Brooks:
What is potential for contagion from Argentina & Turkey to rest of EM?
Chart compares non-resident portfolio inflows in 3 years to now (2015-7) to 3 years before taper tantrum (2010-2), both in % GDP. Inflows have generally been slower (many below diagonal), which is good.
Chart differentiates Argentina (ARS) and Turkey (TRY). The former has seen rapid inflows, a catch-up after years of quasi-autarky. Turkey has seen much slower inflows, so the sell-off reflects policy…
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