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March 2022 / MARKET EVENTS

Understanding the Potential for Defaults in Russian Bonds

The latest developments add to Russia’s negative economic outlook.

Key Insights

 
  • While Russia has initiated coupon payments on two of its dollar bonds, a Russian debt default remains very possible.
  • The latest events add to the already poor condition of the Russian economy, while emerging markets are likely to remain volatile.
  • At T. Rowe Price, we were broadly underweight Russian debt across our EM debt suite at the beginning of the year; we are actively monitoring our management and valuation of these holdings.

What Has Happened?

After a significant amount of speculation and consternation over a possible default, Russia has initiated coupon payments on two of its dollar bonds. This was a relief to markets, and the price of the bonds rallied on news of the payments. However, it should not be taken as a firm indication of what might happen to the rest of Russia’s foreign currency bonds, which total over approximately USD 40 billion. 

...a default on sovereign debt is an extremely rare event...

The ongoing war in Ukraine has caused Russia’s external government bonds to decline rapidly to levels that imply a default is highly likely. Even so, a default on sovereign debt is an extremely rare event and, if it is declared, this will be the first time it has happened in Russia since 1998. Over the past few weeks, all the major rating agencies have downgraded Russian debt from investment grade to “junk.” 

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in late February, Western governments have placed severe economic sanctions on the country, including freezing roughly half of the central bank’s assets. This has effectively led to economic isolation for Russia and put significant pressure on its financial markets and the ruble, which has sunk to record‑low levels. 

What Are the Implications for Markets?

For Russia’s external bonds, the events are likely to have little impact because—as mentioned—these bonds have been trading at extremely depressed levels that indicate a high probability of default. The developments could turn some attention toward Ukraine, where the authorities insist that they will continue to service external debt for now. However, we believe that, eventually, some type of debt restructuring will likely be needed for Ukraine. 

More broadly, emerging markets (EM) are likely to remain volatile for the time being. EM bond spreads have widened recently, with investor sentiment knocked by both the Ukraine crisis and the prospect of monetary tightening from major central banks such as the U.S. Federal Reserve. As a result, EM bonds have been hit by outflows, a trend we expect may continue in the near term. 

During times of volatility, we believe it is vital to stick to our investment process, which is centered on fundamental research and takes a long‑term investment perspective. With that in mind, our view is that the recent spread widening has helped to improve valuations elsewhere in EM debt, and we therefore remain constructive on the asset class. We are approaching yield and spread levels that make EM debt attractive relative to other areas of fixed income.

Are There Broader Macroeconomic Implications?

The latest developments with Russia’s bonds add to the already poor condition of the Russian economy. The sanctions on Russia are the most significant placed on any large economy in a generation and are likely to cause a major contraction in the Russian economy. 

Inflationary pressures may lead to EM central banks hiking more and holding rates higher for longer.

We believe there are two primary channels for the situation in Ukraine to spill over into emerging markets more broadly: commodity prices and financial flows. For commodity importers, such as India, rising commodity prices are a negative in terms of trade shock, which will probably drain income from the economy and generate inflation, leading to activity slowing. For commodity exporters, such as Brazil, rising commodity prices are a positive in terms of trade shock, which will likely drive economic activity and credit improvement. Inflationary pressures may lead to EM central banks hiking more and holding rates higher for longer. So far, this has led to only modest repricing in EM local rates given that aggressive hiking paths were already priced in to a certain extent. 

As mentioned above, there have been outflows from EM debt because of the crisis. We are assessing what the potential impact of J.P. Morgan’s decision to remove Russia from its EM benchmarks on March 31 may be on other emerging markets. In EM external debt, the redistribution of Russia will be evenly spread across a range of countries; in EM local debt it will be more concentrated, with Brazil, Thailand, and Malaysia as the market share gainers. 

Are There Direct Impacts on T. Rowe Price Portfolios From the Latest Developments Regarding Russia’s External Debt?

At the beginning of the year, with the exception of the Emerging Europe Equity Strategy, T. Rowe Price investment strategies had very little exposure to Russian and Ukrainian securities. Across our EM debt suite, we were broadly underweight Russia. The vast majority of our strategies across T. Rowe Price had zero exposure.

T. Rowe Price is actively monitoring our approach to managing and valuing these holdings. Due to the escalating events in Ukraine and Russia, and the rapidly changing market environment, reported holdings and country exposure information as of the last public reporting period of February 28, 2022, may now be different. 

T. Rowe Price has also been actively monitoring the recent Russian sanctions developments. We are in compliance with the requirements of Executive Order 14024 (Executive Order) and related directives as well as UK and EU sanctions issued against Russia. We have put controls into our pre‑trade compliance systems to ensure that no investments or divestments are made in violation of the Executive Order or other applicable sanctions programs.

What Are We Monitoring Next? 

For the affected bonds, there is a 30‑day grace period before a default may be declared. With coupon and maturity bond payments due on other Russian external debt over the coming weeks, we anticipate further announcements and headlines on this topic. 

More broadly, we continue to monitor the situation in Ukraine closely. Our base case is that the war is protracted, but discussions between Ukraine and Russia are ongoing and things could change quickly. Sentiment may shift if either tail risk materializes—either there are signs of a resolution to the conflict, which improves sentiment, or the situation worsens, which depresses sentiment further.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

This material is being furnished for general informational and/or marketing purposes only. The material does not constitute or undertake to give advice of any nature, including fiduciary investment advice, nor is it intended to serve as the primary basis for an investment decision. Prospective investors are recommended to seek independent legal, financial and tax advice before making any investment decision. T. Rowe Price group of companies including T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. and/or its affiliates receive revenue from T. Rowe Price investment products and services. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The value of an investment and any income from it can go down as well as up. Investors may get back less than the amount invested.

The material does not constitute a distribution, an offer, an invitation, a personal or general recommendation or solicitation to sell or buy any securities in any jurisdiction or to conduct any particular investment activity. The material has not been reviewed by any regulatory authority in any jurisdiction.

Information and opinions presented have been obtained or derived from sources believed to be reliable and current; however, we cannot guarantee the sources’ accuracy or completeness. There is no guarantee that any forecasts made will come to pass. The views contained herein are as of the date written and are subject to change without notice; these views may differ from those of other T. Rowe Price group companies and/or associates. Under no circumstances should the material, in whole or in part, be copied or redistributed without consent from T. Rowe Price.

The material is not intended for use by persons in jurisdictions which prohibit or restrict the distribution of the material and in certain countries the material is provided upon specific request. It is not intended for distribution to retail investors in any jurisdiction.

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