Oil Price Slump: A Big EM Differentiator
- The drop in oil prices is likely to have a greater impact on emerging markets than developed markets
- For big oil exporters the impact can weaken GDP growth and depreciate currencies. Net oil importers can expect stronger GDP growth and lower inflation.
- The oil price slump is a clear support for local EM rates markets, but is less clear cut for EM FX
Macroeconomic Impact
Oil prices have fallen sharply. This drop, if sustained, will have a greater impact on emerging markets (EM) than developed markets (DM) because EM economies are more energy-intensive, less energy-efficient, and home to the bulk of the world’s largest net exporters and importers of oil. Big moves in the oil price will drive a major divide in the performances of EM economies.
For big oil exporters in the Middle East, Latin America, Russia and Nigeria, the oil price slump erodes export revenues, resulting in deteriorating current account and fiscal positions, and reduced energy sector profits. The subsequent impact on GDP growth can be expected to be negative and the deterioration in economic fundamentals can cause currencies to depreciate, limiting the scope for central banks to ease monetary policy.
On the other hand, for large net oil importers – notably in Asia – cheaper imports of petroleum and related products improve current accounts positions, widens profit margins and, to the extent that companies pass on their lower production costs, reduces consumer price index inflation. Thus, a positive impact on GDP growth can be expected and fiscal positions can improve on stronger revenues and a lower fuel-subsidy bill. Also, for large net oil importers, more space can be created to ease macro policies.
Net imports of petroleum and petroleum-related products (as a share of GDP) and the weight of energy in the CPI are two useful metrics to gauge the relative exposure of an economy to lower oil prices, and drive home the point that there can be big winners and losers in EM. For EM economies that are more export-orientated, the oil price slump would be more negative for net oil exporters and less positive for net oil importers.
Winners and losers
Impact is clearer on rates than on FX
The fall in oil prices is likely to have a mixed effect on EM markets. While things are looking up for EM rates, the same cannot be said for EM FX.
Lower oil prices looks to be positive on EM rates through 1) reduced inflation expectations; 2) scope for some pricing out of rate hikes; 3) stabilization of oil import-dependent EM FX; and 4) support from increased concern over a fall in global demand on slower China growth. The US midterm election results could also impede further fiscal stimulus. This is an important factor for EM rates as stability in longer end of US curve benefits long EM rates positions.
Overall, the view that lower oil prices are being driven by both supply and demand factors adds to the complication on the impact on EM FX. Despite some scope for terms of trade improvements in net importing countries, concerns over global economic weakness could lead to a more challenging capital flow backdrop. Local factors such near-term policy and political risks in India, downside growth and policy challenges that lie beyond trade protectionism in China, and the risk that Bank of Indonesia will start to re-accumulate foreign currency given recent sharp FX reserve losses.
For more insights, read our full report on the effects of an oil price slump here.
Contributor
Rob Subbaraman
Head of Global Macro Research
Craig Chan
Global Head of FX Strategy
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