Group 1 - Emerging market carry trades are expected to continue thriving in 2026, supported by reduced forex market volatility and a weak US dollar [1] - A key indicator for this strategy has shown a return of approximately 17% this year, marking the highest increase since 2009 [1] - Major asset management firms and banks anticipate that the interest rate gap between developed and emerging markets will persist, with the Federal Reserve and other wealthy nations' central banks likely to maintain low borrowing costs [1] Group 2 - Emerging market stocks, bonds, and currencies have seen significant increases this year, with countries like Brazil and Colombia experiencing currency appreciation of over 13% against the US dollar [3] - The performance of these markets is closely tied to the US economic outlook, with investors hoping for weak growth to encourage further easing of monetary policy by the Federal Reserve [3] - Goldman Sachs has highlighted the attractiveness of shorting the US dollar against currencies like the Brazilian real and South African rand, with a basket of these trades yielding approximately 20% returns this year [3] Group 3 - Investors are assessing whether forex volatility will remain low, as adverse currency movements can quickly erase months of gains [6] - Current market expectations for volatility are low, with a JPMorgan indicator nearing a five-year low, raising concerns among market participants [6] - Despite potential factors that could increase currency volatility, such as US midterm elections and central bank policy divergences, Vanguard Group expects that market disruptions will remain controlled into 2026 [6]

Core Insights - Analysts from Mizuho and Goldman Sachs indicate that reduced currency volatility supports new opportunities for arbitrage trading in emerging markets [1][3] - Emerging market currency volatility has decreased by approximately 1.3 percentage points this quarter, surpassing similar indicators for G7 currencies [1] - The ratio between these two indices has dropped to its lowest level since 2013, suggesting a potential continuation of this trend due to stable dollar fluctuations [1] Group 1 - The decline in foreign exchange volatility is timely, as the stability of the dollar has led to decreased returns on dollar-denominated emerging market arbitrage trades [1] - Central bank interventions have played a role in controlling market volatility, which is crucial for arbitrage trading that is sensitive to short-term currency fluctuations [1] - Mizuho's chief trading strategist, Shoki Omori, notes that lower foreign exchange volatility enhances the risk-reward profile for emerging market arbitrage trading [1] Group 2 - An analysis of eight emerging market arbitrage trades funded in dollars shows a decline in performance in Q3, with a return rate of approximately 1.4%, compared to over 4% in the first two quarters of the year [3] - High-yield emerging market currencies remain attractive, with implied yields for three-month forward contracts in Mexico, Brazil, and Colombia at 7% or higher [3] - Goldman Sachs strategists highlight that the general decline in asset volatility pricing is favorable for the performance of emerging market spreads [3]

Core Viewpoint - The announcement of tariffs is seen as a negative signal for emerging market arbitrage trades, particularly affecting currencies in Colombia, Brazil, and Chile, which have all depreciated by over 1.2% [1] Group 1 - Mark McCormick, the head of foreign exchange strategy at TD Securities, indicates that the tariff announcement is not favorable for overbought emerging market arbitrage trades [1] - Currencies in Colombia, Brazil, and Chile have experienced a decline of more than 1.2% following the tariff news [1] Group 2 - Brad Bechtel, global head of foreign exchange at Jefferies, suggests that the current situation remains uncertain and that Trump's letters may be aimed at facilitating a new round of negotiations [1] - Bechtel anticipates further announcements related to tariffs in the coming weeks [1]