JPMorgan Goes ‘Underweight’ on EM Currencies as China Risks Rise

JPMorgan Goes ‘Underweight’ on EM Currencies as China Risks Rise
A JPMorgan logo is seen in New York on Jan. 10, 2017. (Stephanie Keith/Reuters)
Reuters
9/24/2021
Updated:
9/24/2021

LONDON—Investment bank JPMorgan turned ‘underweight’ on emerging market (EM) currencies on Friday, warning a slowdown of China’s economic growth, troubles in its property sector, and less supportive global monetary policy were all growing risks.

“EM growth concerns from COVID-19 drags are receding, but risks that China’s growth slowdown, along with property sector drag, will impact EM more broadly have risen,” one of the bank’s analysts said in a note.

“The Fed stance does not help EM either. EM currencies cannot rely on a dovish Fed, with the best of global liquidity conditions likely behind us,” said the note.

JPMorgan analysts downgraded the entire Chinese property sector last week and have warned there could be as many as 11 defaults by riskier, “high-yield” Chinese firms.