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China Risks Eroding Confidence in Currency – Benjamin Fuchs

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  • Trader Who Bet on Gradual Yuan Decline Now Sees Steeper Drop

Last year, Benjamin Fuchs’s $2 billion hedge fund prospered by betting against a sudden yuan devaluation. Now, he says forces are lining up that are increasing the odds of steep declines.

By repeatedly tightening capital controls, China risks eroding confidence in its currency, said Fuchs, chief investment officer at BFAM Partners (Hong Kong). At the same time, the dollar’s advance against the yen and other currencies is increasing competitive pressure on China to let the yuan depreciate, he said in an interview.

China’s August 2015 devaluation threw global markets into turmoil and triggered a surge in wagers a follow-on move was imminent. BFAM’s bet that yuan weakening would be more gradual helped power the fund to an estimated 17.5 percent gain last year, said a person with knowledge of the matter. Now, however, the increased pressure on Beijing to allow bigger exchange-rate moves is partly self-inflicted, according to Fuchs.

“We’re starting to see more and more of a negative cycle being created potentially by China itself with aggressive capital controls,“ said Fuchs, a former Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. trader. China’s attempts to curb outflows are “just making people want to take money out quicker, and make companies change their behavior.”

Yuan Bounce

Seeking to fight off yuan bears, Chinese authorities in the past week have taken steps to support the exchange rate, including encouraging state-owned enterprises to sell foreign currencies, according to people with knowledge of the matter. The yuan gained 1 percent on Thursday in Hong Kong, capping the biggest two-day advance in data going back to 2010. Meanwhile, a jump in the overnight deposit rate in the city made bearish yuan trades more costly.

Pinpoint Asset Management, a $1.5 billion Hong Kong-based hedge fund firm, expects the recent yuan surge to be short-lived, forecasting a 3 percent to 5 percent annual decline over the next three years, Jennifer Wong, its managing director of investor relations, said in an interview. Pinpoint’s China fund rose 2.6 percent last year.

The offshore yuan exchange rate fell 0.5 percent to 6.8224 a dollar as of 11:06 a.m. in Hong Kong Friday.

Donald Trump’s election as the next U.S. president in November has fanned anticipation of increased fiscal spending and tax cuts, driving a dollar rally. Meanwhile, as China’s capital outflows have approached $1.7 trillion since the start of 2015, according to Bloomberg Intelligence estimates, Chinese policymakers have made it harder for local firms to buy overseas assets and take the yuan offshore. They have also repeatedly tightened curbs on citizens’ ability to move money abroad.

Hard Landing

Some investors were betting on a large yuan devaluation last year as concern mounted the Chinese economy was headed for a hard landing. BFAM has made money taking the opposite side of the most bearish wagers, anticipating a more gradual depreciation. The yuan slid 6.5 percent against the greenback in the onshore market and 5.8 percent offshore last year.

Fuchs’s trades have made BFAM a standout among Asia’s hedge funds, who eked out an average 1.1 percent gain last year, according to preliminary data from Singapore-based Eurekahedge. BFAM returned 11 percent in 2015. Fuchs declined to comment on fund performance.

The yen has tumbled 8.6 percent since the U.S. election, while the yuan has slipped 1.2 percent onshore and is little changed offshore. The Korean won weakened more than 3 percent and the Malaysian ringgit depreciated 5.5 percent.

Fuchs expects long-term dollar-interest rates to rise much faster than short-term rates over the coming years, a phenomenon known as a steepening yield curve. As the Federal Reserve accelerates the pace of rate increases, that could put pressure on commercial real estate, he said. Life insurers and pension funds that have invested heavily in commercial property, as well as banks that lend to such projects, may get squeezed because rents won’t rise quickly enough to compensate for higher long-term interest rates, according to Fuchs.

Is the CEO/Founder of Investors King Limited. A proven foreign exchange research analyst and a published author on Yahoo Finance, Businessinsider, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur.com, Investorplace, and many more. He has over two decades of experience in global financial markets.

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Dollar to Naira Black Market Today, May 2nd, 2024

As of May 2nd, 2024, the exchange rate for the US dollar to the Nigerian Naira stands at 1 USD to 1,350 NGN in the black market, also referred to as the parallel market or Aboki fx.

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New Naira Notes

As of May 2nd, 2024, the exchange rate for the US dollar to the Nigerian Naira stands at 1 USD to 1,350 NGN in the black market, also referred to as the parallel market or Aboki fx.

For those engaging in currency transactions in the Lagos Parallel Market (Black Market), buyers purchase a dollar for N1,310 and sell it at N1,300 on Monday, April 29th, 2024 based on information from Bureau De Change (BDC).

Meaning, the Naira exchange rate declined when compared to today’s rate below.

This black market rate signifies the value at which individuals can trade their dollars for Naira outside the official or regulated exchange channels.

Investors and participants closely monitor these parallel market rates for a more immediate reflection of currency dynamics.

How Much is Dollar to Naira Today in the Black Market?

Kindly be aware that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) does not acknowledge the existence of the parallel market, commonly referred to as the black market.

The CBN has advised individuals seeking to participate in Forex transactions to utilize official banking channels.

Black Market Dollar to Naira Exchange Rate

  • Buying Rate: N1,350
  • Selling Rate: N1,340

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Forex

Yen’s Plunge Persists Despite Japan’s Late New York Trading Intervention

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Japan’s attempts to shore up the yen faced yet another setback as the currency continued its downward spiral despite a late intervention in New York trading.

Despite efforts by Japanese authorities to stem the yen’s decline, traders remained unfazed, indicating a growing skepticism towards the efficacy of such measures.

The yen, which had initially weakened as much as 1.1% against the dollar during Asia trading, stubbornly clung to its downward trajectory, inching closer to levels seen before the suspected intervention.

Speculations ran rife among traders regarding Japan’s involvement in the currency market after witnessing abrupt fluctuations in the yen’s value during the final stretch of the US trading session.

This recent development underscores a deepening challenge for Japanese policymakers grappling with the yen’s persistent depreciation.

Despite their best efforts, the market sentiment appears to be increasingly immune to intervention tactics, casting doubts on the effectiveness of such measures in the long run.

Shoki Omori, chief desk strategist at Mizuho Securities Co., weighed in on the situation, remarking, “Japan’s finance ministry likely intervened but couldn’t break 152, where investors used to be cautious.”

He further noted, “Now that authorities are seen as having stepped in for a second time but gave the impression that they cannot stop the yen cheapening trend alone, market participants will likely feel more comfortable to short yen.”

The prevailing sentiment among traders suggests a growing consensus that Japan’s interventions may be insufficient to halt the yen’s depreciation trend.

Despite the authorities’ concerted efforts, the currency’s plunge persists, signaling a broader challenge for policymakers in navigating the complexities of the global currency market.

As the yen’s decline continues unabated, market participants remain on high alert, bracing for further volatility in the days ahead.

The inability of intervention measures to reverse the currency’s downward trajectory raises questions about the effectiveness of traditional policy tools in an increasingly interconnected and unpredictable financial landscape.

In the face of mounting challenges, Japanese authorities may find themselves compelled to explore alternative strategies to address the yen’s persistent weakness.

Whether through unconventional policy measures or coordinated efforts with global counterparts, finding a sustainable solution to stabilize the yen remains a pressing priority for policymakers amid evolving market dynamics.

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Forex

BDC Operators in Abuja Face EFCC Crackdown: Chaos Erupts in Wuse Zone 4

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BDC Operators - Investors King

The bustling streets of Wuse Zone 4 in Abuja transformed into a scene of chaos and apprehension as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) conducted a surprise crackdown on Bureau De Change (BDC) operators.

The operation, which unfolded on Monday, sent shockwaves through the financial district, leaving traders and residents bewildered.

Eyewitnesses recounted scenes of pandemonium as EFCC agents descended upon the area, swiftly apprehending an undisclosed number of BDC operators.

The raid, which occurred around noon, disrupted normal trading activities and prompted fear among the local populace.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, BDC operators confirmed the raid, expressing dismay at the sudden turn of events.

“EFCC just raided the market, arresting many operators. They arrested some persons seen on the street and even pursued some persons to their offices. We are still looking for N30,000 or N50,000 to bail those arrested on Friday yet they came again today,” one trader lamented.

The crackdown comes as part of the EFCC’s concerted efforts to combat illicit financial activities and restore stability to the foreign exchange market.

Last Friday, the anti-graft agency announced the arrest of 34 suspected currency speculators for alleged involvement in foreign exchange fraud, signaling a firm stance against financial malpractice.

However, the EFCC’s actions have stirred controversy, with some questioning the efficacy of such raids in addressing underlying issues affecting the Nigerian currency.

Despite these efforts, the naira opened the week on a negative trajectory against the United States dollar, signaling potential challenges ahead.

At the official market on Monday, the naira witnessed a significant depreciation, trading at N1,419 against the dollar, representing a loss of N58 or 4.3% from the previous trading session.

The decline underscores the persistent demand for the greenback amid economic uncertainties.

Currency traders at the Zone 4 market reported heightened volatility, with the dollar trading at N1,340 per dollar, marking a notable increase from the weekend rate.

Amidst the turmoil, traders like Abubakar Taura navigated the fluctuating market, capitalizing on the volatility to secure profits.

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