Factor Investing Short-term investment outlook-November Update
This white paper addresses our short-term investment views based on our forward-looking global macro framework.
23 November 2020
Economic Outlook
Why yet another attack on the Hong Kong dollar is doomed to fail
11 September 2019
John debunks beliefs of Hong Kong/China bears
With recent civil disturbances in Hong Kong in mind, Invesco Chief Economist John Greenwood debunks several commonly held beliefs of those Hong Kong/China bears speculating on the Territory’s currency.
Along with the civil disturbances that have wracked Hong Kong in recent weeks there have been many statements – some highly misleading in my view – about the erosion of the rule of law in the territory. Starting somewhat earlier in March, some prominent investors have taken large speculative positions in the financial markets based on the view that a collapse of either the Hong Kong dollar, or more broadly the Chinese economy and its RMB currency, was inevitable.
In my judgement, the basis for these speculations is almost completely groundless. The Hong Kong currency board is the most robust system of its kind in the world. It has withstood numerous attacks since it was established in its current form in 1983, and it has maintained a stable monetary environment for Hong Kong despite wide movements of the Chinese yuan and Mainland financial markets, and despite several episodes of political and financial instability. Even if capital outflows were to follow from the recent civil disturbances, the Hong Kong currency board is fully capable of handling them at the current fixed rate.
In this article I have concentrated on the economics of Hong Kong and its currency in order to address a number of commonly held belief’s held by Hong Kong/China bears and those speculating on the fate of the Territory’s currency. My critique of these ill-founded arguments is divided into three sections, each covering different areas where I believe speculators have made unjustified arguments or assertions:
- Errors relating to the Hong Kong economy
- Errors relating to the Hong Kong banking system
- Errors relating to the role and operation of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA)
The article concludes by re-stating a few key principles that underscore the strength and durability of Hong Kong’s currency board.
Investment risks
- The value of investments and any income will fluctuate (this may partly be the result of exchange rate fluctuations) and investors may not get back the full amount invested.
Important information
- This document is marketing material and is not intended as a recommendation to invest in any particular asset class, security or strategy. Regulatory requirements that require impartiality of investment/investment strategy recommendations are therefore not applicable nor are any prohibitions to trade before publication. The information provided is for illustrative purposes only, it should not be relied upon as recommendations to buy or sell securities.
Related insights
Economy “Risk on” for the long term
Taking a long-term bet against credit and equities now would be akin to betting against medicine, science, human ingenuity, and the direction of monetary policy. That’s not a bet we’re willing to take.
2 October 2020
Coronavirus What fiscal and monetary responses are needed in the US to combat the Covid-19 crisis?
Given clear signs that markets are not functioning efficiently, what is the Fed doing about it?
25 March 2020
