Risk Aversion and Dollar Strength

In recent blog posts, we have talked a great deal about how the U.S. dollar may be poised to rise as a result of increases in U.S. interest rates compared with interest rates in foreign markets. However, another catalyst for a stronger U.S. dollar could occur during periods of heightened volatility. Geopolitical risk and economic uncertainty around the world have recently served as a reminder of the importance of so-called "safe haven" assets, such as the U.S. dollar. Since the dollar is the primary reserve currency of the world, investors typically seek exposure to the dollar via short-term assets when market sentiment begins to shift. As we explain, the U.S. dollar can serve as an effective hedge to market uncertainty when volatility unexpectedly spikes. As the graph illustrates, increases in risk aversion tend to be associated with appreciation of the U.S. dollar against a broad basket of foreign currencies. For the purposes of this graph, we use the Chicago Board Options Exchange Volatility Index (VIX) to represent risk aversion. The VIX reflects the market’s estimate of future volatility, based on a weighted average of implied volatility across options with different strike prices for the S&P 500 Index. The Barclays Capital Trade-Weighted Dollar Index measures the total returns generated by systematically holding and rolling short-term currency positions in the U.S. dollar, compared with the currencies of its principal trading partners.   VIX vs. Barclays Capital Trade-Weighted Dollar Index While we don’t anticipate that volatility will approach the levels seen during the financial crisis, current levels of volatility appear compressed when compared with historical averages. To us, this suggests a fair degree of complacency in the market. As shown most notably in August 2010 and September 2011, volatility can unexpectedly spike at any time. During these periods, concerns about the viability of the Eurozone caused a spike in volatility across global financial markets. As a result, investors sought the safety and liquidity of the U.S. dollar. As demand for dollars increased, the value of the currency appreciated broadly against other currencies. Additionally, strategies that provide long U.S. dollar exposure tend to exhibit sharply negative correlation with international equity positions. As the table below shows, spikes in volatility tend to coincide with decreases in the prices of risky assets, such as equities. Since U.S. investors may have exposure to foreign currencies through their foreign equity positions, their returns reflect not only a decrease in the price of their stock portfolios, but potential losses from fluctuations in the currency as well.   Performance of Trade-Weighted Dollar During 10 Largest Weekly Rises in the VIX, 10/1/04- 9/30/14 For definitions of terms and Indexes in the chart, visit our glossary. For investors concerned about this risk, currency strategies that take long positions in the U.S. dollar may help offset some of the currency risk inherent in international equity positions. With cash offering very little income and the net carry sacrifice for dollar-biased positions relatively low, we feel that dollar-bullish strategies could offer investors appealing diversification benefits if risk spikes or the U.S. economy continues to strengthen.