Foreign exchange: Volumes and volatility benefit in currency wars

Spate of interventions boosts volumes; Emerging countries seek to stem capital inflows

Over the past month headlines using the words ‘currency wars’ have become familiar in news about the financial markets. While most of the shots that have been fired have been verbal, particularly between the main protagonists, the US and China, unilateral actions have spanned the globe.

This has manifested itself in sales of local currency, most notably by Japan in mid-September, but also by Israel, Thailand and Indonesia. Additionally, Brazil and Thailand have implemented measures to contain capital inflows, and, to some extent, South Korea, the host of the G20 meeting last month.

Access intelligence that drives action

To unlock this research, enter your email to log in or enquire about access