Surging Energy Prices Make Russia A Top Investor Pick

Russian equities and its currency are winning the race for attracting investors in emerging markets after the Evergrande debacle in China, as soaring energy prices are raising the bullish prospects for Russia’s economy and markets.

So far in October, the Russian ruble has gained the most among all currencies of emerging-market economies, estimates from Bloomberg showed on Monday.

Portfolio managers have recently moved some investment from China into the Russian equity and forex markets, expecting gains for energy companies and the Russian currency as prices of Russia’s largest exports—energy commodities—rally.

For example, during the third quarter, London-based hedge fund Carrhae Capital has moved some of its investment away from tech shares in China to energy companies in Russia, Bloomberg notes.

“Energy prices will remain elevated and companies in commodity-exporting nations will be beneficiaries of the global tightness in the supply of power-related commodities,” Ali Akay, chief investment officer at Carrhae Capital, told Bloomberg.

Since the global energy crunch started in early September, the Russian ruble has been the key beneficiary of surging oil and gas prices as it is closely linked with the main exports of Russia—energy.

The ruble is further expected to strengthen despite a higher risk of more U.S. sanctions against Russia, analysts say.

“The main factor is the rise in oil and gas prices, which should continue until the end of the year, and without talks about new sanctions, the ruble should be even higher,” Iskander Lutsko, chief investment strategist at ITI Capital, told Bloomberg at the end of last month.

As global energy prices rallied, the biggest winners in the forex market turned out to be the currencies of commodity-exporting countries—the Norwegian crown, the Russian ruble, and the Chilean peso, Enrique Díaz-Álvarez, Chief Risk Officer at financial solutions provider Ebury, wrote in a market commentary last month. 

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads from Oilprice.com:

• High Natural Gas Prices Could Lead To 2 Million Bpd Extra Oil Demand
  
• Is America Doomed To Replicate Europe’s Energy Crisis?
  
• A Cold Winter Could Send Oil Prices Soaring Past $100