Currencies

In what some analysts have termed 'an act of desperation,' Vietnam has devalued its currency, the Dong, by .5%. Negative pressure had been building above the Dong for months, due to a burgeoning trade deficit, sagging stock market, and a stratospheric inflation rate, most recently clocked at 23%. Unfortunately for Vietnam's economic planners, the black market exchange rate remains nearly 5% below the official rate. In addition, futures prices reflect the expectation that the Dong will lose 30% of its value over the next twelve months. At this point, Vietnam is simply trying to forestall a full-scale economic crisis. This will probably involve further devaluations of the Dong. The Times Online reports-

At the recent Reuters Investment Outlook Summit, forex was a popular topic of discussion among the investment strategists in attendance. Specifically, many of the participants were bullish about emerging market currencies. This is somewhat ironic, since these currencies have marked one of the few bright spots for the Dollar, which has benefited from a recent trend towards risk aversion as a result of the credit crisis. In addition, the Fed is certainly finished with its current cycle of lowering rates, and may in fact hike rates as early as this year. However, the experts insist that this will be offset by corresponding rate hikes in emerging markets, which are beginning to come to terms with surging inflation.

While the Chinese Yuan quickly ascended the ranks of the world's most important currencies, the Indian Rupee has not yet made it.  But that might change in 2008, as the Royal Bank of India ("RBI") will be forced to decide between a more valuable rupee and price stability.  Until now, the RBI has successfully pursued the "impossible trinity of a fixed exchange rate, independent monetary policy, and open capital account" through judicious use forex intervention and the issuance of sterilization bonds.