Skip to main content

China Sees More Currency Volatility as Central Bank Seeks to Discourage Idea That Yuan is a “One-Way Trade,” Says Market Vectors’ Rodilosso

Faced with the task of cooling off its credit markets and discouraging excessive foreign currency flows, China has recently demonstrated a willingness to let the value of its currency decline, contrary to the long-held belief that buying the renminbi was effectively a “one-way trade,” according to Fran Rodilosso, fixed income portfolio manager for Market Vectors ETFs.

“The perception in the market has been that the renminbi could only appreciate in value,“ said Rodilosso. “It looks now as if the Chinese have set out to dispel that belief with the People’s Bank of China likely to allow the currency to trade in a wider band, with more latitude to move to the downside.”

Rodilosso pointed out that China is now fighting many battles at once, trying to control the deceleration of growth while also discouraging hot money flows1 and excessive credit creation2. He noted that investors in renminbi-denominated equities and debt are indeed used to a steady appreciation, with the currency one of very few to appreciate versus the U.S. dollar in 2013. The prospect of greater currency volatility is something that investors will likely start to consider, and ultimately may lead them to demand more compensation, in the form of yield, Rodilosso said.

A cheaper currency is a mixed blessing for investors, according to the Market Vectors portfolio manager. “A weaker currency does have the effect of making it cheaper to repay debt denominated in that currency, potentially a small credit positive for some issuers,” he says. “On the other hand, holders of the dollar debt of Chinese issuers, particularly those domestically-oriented companies without significant dollar revenues, might have greater reason to be concerned from a credit perspective.”

As China continues to seek what it believes is the appropriate level for its currency, investors would be well advised to keep a close eye on the actions of the Chinese Central Bank, Rodilosso concluded.

Mr. Rodilosso has over 20 years of experience trading and managing risk in fixed income investment strategies, including more than 17 years covering emerging markets. Market Vectors ETFs under his watch are Renminbi Bond ETF (NYSE Arca: CHLC®), Treasury-Hedged High Yield Bond ETF (NYSE Arca: THHY), Investment Grade Floating Rate ETF (NYSE Arca: FLTR®), Emerging Markets Local Currency Bond ETF (NYSE Arca: EMLC®), Emerging Markets Aggregate Bond ETF (NYSE Arca: EMAGTM), Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF (NYSE Arca: HYEM®), International High Yield Bond ETF (NYSE Arca: IHY®) and Fallen Angel High Yield Bond ETF (NYSE Arca: ANGL®). As of December 31, 2013 the total assets for these ETFs amounted to approximately $1.4 billion.

1Refers to capital flows moving to countries with higher interest rates and/or expected changes in exchange rates.

2Refers to excessive debt accumulation that can lead to credit bubbles and/or price inflation, for example.

Please note that the information herein represents the opinion of the portfolio manager and these opinions may change at any time and from time to time. Not intended to be a forecast of future events, a guarantee of future results or investment advice. Current market conditions may not continue. Information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but not guaranteed. ©2014 Van Eck Global.

About Market Vectors ETFs

Market Vectors exchange-traded products have been offered since 2006 and span many asset classes, including equities, fixed income (municipal and international bonds) and currency markets. The Market Vectors family totaled $22.1 billion in assets under management, making it the seventh largest ETP family in the U.S. and 10th largest worldwide as of December 31, 2013.

Market Vectors ETFs are sponsored by Van Eck Global. Founded in 1955, Van Eck Global was among the first U.S. money managers helping investors achieve greater diversification through global investing. Today, the firm continues this tradition by offering innovative, actively managed investment choices in hard assets, emerging markets, precious metals including gold, and other alternative asset classes.

There are risks involved with investing in ETFs, including possible loss of money. Shares are not actively managed and are subject to risks similar to those of stocks, including those regarding short selling and margin maintenance requirements. Ordinary brokerage commissions apply. Debt securities carry interest rate and credit risk. Interest rate risk refers to the risk that bond prices generally fall as interest rates rise and vice versa. Credit risk is the risk of loss on an investment due to the deterioration of an issuer's financial health. The Funds' underlying securities may be subject to call risk, which may result in the Funds having to reinvest the proceeds at lower interest rates, resulting in a decline in the Funds' income.

The Funds may be subject to credit risk, interest rate risk and a greater risk of loss of income and principal than those holding higher rated securities. As the Funds may invest in securities denominated in foreign currencies and some of the income received by the Funds may be in foreign currency, changes in currency exchange rates may negatively impact the Funds’ returns. Investments in emerging markets securities are subject to elevated risks which include, among others, expropriation, confiscatory taxation, issues with repatriation of investment income, limitations of foreign ownership, political instability, armed conflict, and social instability. The Funds may loan their securities, which may subject them to additional credit and counterparty risk. The Funds may be subject to risks associated with investing in high-yield securities; which include a greater risk of loss of income and principal than funds holding higher-rated securities, as well as concentration risk; credit risk; hedging risk; interest rate risk; and short sale risk. Investors should be willing to accept a high degree of volatility and the potential of significant loss. Investments in China-related securities are subject to elevated risks, which include adverse market, political, regulatory, and geographic events affecting China and the surrounding region. Investments in mainland China and its offshore market in Hong Kong are subject to local customs, duties and rights of ownership, which might change at any time should policy makers deem them in China's best interest. As the Fund invests in securities denominated in Chinese renminbi, changes in currency exchange rates may negatively impact the Fund's return. The Funds may loan their securities, which may subject them to additional credit and counterparty risk. For a more complete description of these and other risks, please refer to the Funds’ prospectus and summary prospectus.

The “net asset value” (NAV) of an ETF is determined at the close of each business day, and represents the dollar value of one share of the ETF; it is calculated by taking the total assets of an ETF subtracting total liabilities, and dividing by the total number of shares outstanding. The NAV is not necessarily the same as an ETF's intraday trading value. Investors should not expect to buy or sell shares at NAV. Total returns are based upon closing “market price” (price) of the ETF on the dates listed.

Fund shares are not individually redeemable and will be issued and redeemed at their NAV only through certain authorized broker-dealers in large, specified blocks of shares called “creation units” and otherwise can be bought and sold only through exchange trading. Creation units are issued and redeemed principally in kind. Shares may trade at a premium or discount to their NAV in the secondary market.

Diversification does not assure a profit nor does it protect against a loss.

Investing involves substantial risk and high volatility, including possible loss of principal. Bonds and bond funds, in general, will decrease in value as interest rates rise. An investor should consider the investment objective, risks, charges and expenses of a Fund carefully before investing. To obtain a prospectus and summary prospectus, which contain this and other information, call 888.MKT.VCTR or visit marketvectorsetfs.com. Please read the prospectus and summary prospectus carefully before investing.

Not FDIC Insured — No Bank Guarantee — May Lose Value

Van Eck Securities Corporation, Distributor
335 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 1001

Contacts:

Media:
MacMillan Communications
Mike MacMillan, 212-473-4442
or
Chris Sullivan, 212-473-4442
chris@macmillancom.com

Data & News supplied by www.cloudquote.io
Stock quotes supplied by Barchart
Quotes delayed at least 20 minutes.
By accessing this page, you agree to the following
Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.