Investors cut short positions in most Asian currencies; bearish rates at a 21-month low

The bearish rates on most Asian currencies have declined markedly over the past two weeks. Rates to weaken the yuan halved, as trade negotiations between Washington and Beijing are beginning to yield results.

Short-term interest in the yuan was at its lowest level since March 2017. The bearish rates on the Singapore dollar declined slightly, while on the Indonesian rupiah fell to their lowest level since the beginning of May. Short-term rates for the Korean won dropped to a minimum of more than a year, the Taiwan dollar was the lowest since the end of May.

Recently, the yuan has been supporting improved relations between China and the United States. Trump replaced anger with mercy and said that negotiations are underway with Beijing and that he will not increase tariffs on Chinese imports. He even offered assistance from the Ministry of Justice regarding the arrest of the Chief Financial Officer of Huawei Technologies, who was released on bail.

In addition, the weakening dollar outlook also boosted Asian currencies. Despite the fact that the dollar rose by more than 5 percent this year against the background of rising Fed interest rates, the recent decline in yields on US Treasury bonds and moderate economic data have given reason to think that the dollar may have reached a ceiling. While the Fed is expected to raise rates next week, and if most investors expect only one more increase next year, some banks, such as JP Morgan, expect as many as four increases in 2019.