Non-deliverable Forward Research Articles

Comparative Analysis of Deliverable and Non-Deliverable Contracts in the Hong Kong Trading Market - Taking RMB as an Example

NDFs are over-the-counter traded foreign exchange derivative products. The settlement of an NDF contract does not involve the delivery of the underlying currency pair. Instead, it involves a net payment in a convertible currency (usually the US dollar), which is proportional to the difference between the agreed forward exchange rate and the subsequently realized spot fixing. Hong Kong's geopolitical location as an outlet that connects mainland China to the world gives it an essential role in researching CNY's international features Hong Kong's trading market serves as a crucial link for the expansion of RMB usage, with the resulting shifts in positions supporting the interpretation of the role of RMB in the process of globalization of the currency, as well as the interpretation of financial markets. This study examines how the Hong Kong market serves as a critical hub for the currency's global integration through its trading of RMB, and focuses on the interplay between market regulations, economic policies, and the intricate balance of supply and demand affecting deliverable (CNY and CNH) and non-deliverable forward (NDF) contracts. The research findings reveal that the examination of transaction data from Hong Kong's commodity exchange demonstrates a complicated interconnection between deliverable (CNY and CNH) and non-deliverable forward (NDF) contracts. This intricate relationship highlights the Chinese Yuan's (RMB) fluctuating role in the market, influenced by factors such as market sentiment, regulatory changes, and economic conditions. In essence, the RMB's trading volumes and value in this setting reflect its sensitivity to both domestic and international market shifts.

The Impact of COVID-19 Outbreak on the RMB Exchange Rate: Evidence from TVP-SV-VAR Model

ABSTRACT Using the Time-Varying Parameter-Stochastic Volatility-Vector Auto Regression model, this study examines the dynamic relationship between Non-deliverable Forwards, Stock Index Gap, Interest Rate Gap, and short-term fluctuations of the RMB exchange rate during the early stage of the COVID-19 outbreak. Our findings indicate that these variables exhibit time-varying characteristics and a relatively significant stable trend. Additionally, in the initial phase of the pandemic, there were substantial capital outflows from the Chinese stock market. However, as the Chinese economic situation improved and the government intervened in a timely manner, exchange rate and Non-deliverable Forwards volatility decreased, leading to a slowdown in outflows.

Does offshore NDF market influence onshore forex market? Evidence from India

AbstractThe paper uses a vector error correction model–multivariate generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity approach to examine the interrelationship between onshore and offshore nondeliverable forward (NDF) markets for the Indian Rupee. The empirical results suggest a stable and bidirectional long‐run relationship between onshore and offshore markets. The subperiod analysis implies that there are unidirectional mean spillovers from NDF markets to onshore spot, forward, and futures markets during the post‐taper tantrum period. Regarding “volatility spillover,” the analysis indicates a unidirectional volatility spillover from spot and forward segments to NDF market in normal circumstances, which turns bidirectional during times of depreciation pressure on the rupee.

Non-deliverable forwards – factors of development and market structure

Transakcja terminowa to umowa pomiędzy dwoma stronami na zakup lub sprzedaż określonej ilości waluty w ustalonym terminie w przyszłości po z góry określonym kursie, tzw. kursie terminowym. Nierzeczywiste transakcje terminowe (non-deliverable forward – NDF) są podobne do zwykłych kontraktów forward, jednakże w terminie zapadalności nie wymagają dostawy walut. W przypadku transakcji NDF jedynym przepływem pieniężnym jest płatność różnicy pomiędzy kursem terminowym a bieżącym kursem rynkowym w dniu zapadalności kontraktu. Głównym celem artykułu jest zbadanie czynników, które przyczyniły się do powstania i rozwoju rynku NDF, oraz analiza jego wielkości i struktury walutowej. Badanie rynku, przeprowadzone w oparciu o dane zebrane przez BIS, prowadzi do następujących wniosków. Rynek transakcji NDF rozwijał się bardzo szybko w latach 2013-2019 i w konsekwencji operacje forward bez fizycznej dostawy osiągnęły 13,02% udział w rynku walutowym w 2019 r. Do niezwykle dynamicznego wzrostu aktywności inwestorów, powodowanego zjawiskiem elektronizacji procesu przeprowadzania transakcji, doszło zwłaszcza w 2019 r. W strukturze walutowej globalnego rynku NDF dominują takie waluty jak koreański won, indyjska rupia, brazylijski real oraz tajwański dolar, które były odpowiedzialne za 68% wszystkich operacji NDF w 2019 r. Koncentracja inwestorów na handlu tymi walutami systematycznie rosła w latach 2013-2019. Główną przyczyną pojawienia się i rosnącego zainteresowania inwestorów kontraktami NDF były ograniczenia walutowe stosowane w niektórych krajach, które uniemożliwiały nierezydentom dostęp do lokalnych rynków walutowych.

What Factors Affect the RMB Carry Trade Return for Sustainability? An Empirical Analysis by Using an ARDL Model

With the internationalization of RMB and the openness of China’s capital account, the amount of foreign institutions investing in China has increased significantly. Based on China’s daily data from January 2007 to September 2021, this study investigated the factors that affect the RMB carry-trade return for sustainability. By comparing the results of the carry return before and after the foreign-exchange reform on 11 August 2015, this study found that the RMB carry return has become more traceable after the exchange-rate reform. Meanwhile, the model fitting degree of explaining the RMB carry return was higher, and there were fewer missing variables. Therefore, this study found that after the RMB-exchange-rate mechanism became more market oriented, the RMB carry return became more reasonable, and the carry trade can play a better role in foreign-exchange pricing. Meanwhile, after using the RMB non-deliverable forwards (NDF) to construct a carry-trade position to perform the robustness test, such results were consistent. With different results before and after the exchange-rate reform, this study can provide references for policy makers and investors for sustainable development.

Can domestic non-deliverable forwards replace the sale of international reserves? An analysis of the Brazilian experience

In the 2010s, the Brazilian Central Bank (BCB) intervened massively with domestic non-deliverable forwards (DNDFS) to offset the reversal of the global financial cycle. This article aims to investigate why the BCB used these derivatives instead of selling its international reserves, how they affected the markets, and the limits of these interventions. The main benefit of DNDFs is that they preserve the international reserves of the central bank. Since market makers use these DNDFs to hedge their supply of foreign currencies in the foreign exchange markets, the central bank can affect these markets without spending a dollar. We present evidence that DNDFs were associated with an expansion of market makers’ short dollar positions. DNDFs were also used to limit excessive currency volatility. We identified a subset of interventions aimed at offsetting excessive volatility and present evidence that the BCB could stabilize the markets on these occasions. However, DNDFs are not a panacea. If coupled with deregulated foreign exchange markets, frequent interventions may stimulate speculative activity against the domestic currency. Furthermore, they can be costly, and these costs increase the interest-bearing liabilities of the central bank, constraining the domestic policy space of the monetary authority.

The Impact of Margin Requirements on Voluntary Clearing Decisions

We analyze the determinants of financial entities’ choices of whether to voluntarily designate trades for central clearing. In particular, we evaluate the impact of the Uncleared Margin Rule (UMR) on the trading and clearing decisions of firms transacting in the multi-trillion-dollar cash-settled foreign exchange swap markets. The UMR is a multi-jurisdiction rule that requires certain market participants to exchange collateral (margin) for uncleared transactions between themselves. We specifically study the effect of this rule for non-deliverable forwards (NDF) since similar contracts – FX deliverable forwards and swaps - are exempt from the rule in the U.S. and hence constitute a useful control group. In a difference-in-differences setting, we find that compared to FX forwards and swaps, the UMR resulted in firms choosing to clear a higher percentage of their swaps in the NDF market. To understand the forces behind firms’ clearing decisions, we make use of a regulatory data set that includes the identities of the parties to each swap. We show that increased clearing is due almost exclusively to the actions of clearing members, suggesting that the differential cost of clearing for these entities plays a major role in clearing decisions. Consistent with theory, we find the ability to net swap exposure at the central clearing party is one of the drivers behind the decision to clear.

INFORMATION FLOW BETWEEN THE US DOLLAR-RUPIAH EXCHANGE RATES

This study investigates the information flow between non-deliverable forward (NDF), spot, and forward US dollar–rupiah exchange rates during the post-Quantitative Easing (QE) period. Our results show a unidirectional information flow from NDF to the spot and forward rates in the post-QE period. We also find that the Indonesian government securities (IGS) played a vital role during the QE period, while international reserves preceded the US dollar–rupiah spot, forward, and NDF exchange rates post-QE. Hence, international reserves became an important policy variable in managing the currency value. Our finding redefines the role of IGS as a policy tool. As a policy suggestion, the Bank Indonesia should maintain a sufficient amount of foreign reserves to mitigate foreign exchange risks of the rupiah.

Offshore Currency Markets: Non-Deliverable Forwards (NDFs) in Asia

Non-deliverable forward (NDF) markets in many Asian emerging market currencies are large, rapidly growing, and often exceed onshore markets in transaction volume. NDFs tend to price significant depreciation during market stress episodes including COVID-19. Spillovers from NDFs to onshore markets are a policymaker concern. Our analysis shows that influences tend to run both ways after controlling for differences in timezones between markets. For the COVID-19 pandemic there is some evidence of NDFs leading onshore markets for a few currencies. Policy approaches to NDFs vary widely across Asia from close integration with onshore markets to severe restrictions on NDF trading.

Offshore Currency Markets: Non-Deliverable Forwards (NDFs) in Asia

Non-deliverable forward (NDF) markets in many Asian emerging market currencies are large, rapidly growing, and often exceed onshore markets in transaction volume. NDFs tend to price significant depreciation during market stress episodes including COVID-19. Spillovers from NDFs to onshore markets are a policymaker concern. Our analysis shows that influences tend to run both ways after controlling for differences in timezones between markets. For the COVID-19 pandemic there is some evidence of NDFs leading onshore markets for a few currencies. Policy approaches to NDFs vary widely across Asia from close integration with onshore markets to severe restrictions on NDF trading.

Offshore Currency Markets

Non-deliverable forward (NDF) markets in many Asian emerging market currencies are large, rapidly growing, and often exceed onshore markets in transaction volume. NDFs tend to price significant depreciation during market stress episodes including COVID-19. Spillovers from NDFs to onshore markets are a policymaker concern. Our analysis shows that influences tend to run both ways after controlling for differences in timezones between markets. For the COVID-19 pandemic there is some evidence of NDFs leading onshore markets for a few currencies. Policy approaches to NDFs vary widely across Asia from close integration with onshore markets to severe restrictions on NDF trading.

Dynamic Linkages between US Dollar-Ringgit spot, forward and NDF during QE and Post-QE Exit

This study investigates the information flow between U.S. Dollar-Ringgit spot, forward and Nondeliverable Forward (NDF) exchange rates during the pre and post-U. S. Quantitative Easing (QE) exit. Our results show: First, there is a robust unidirectional causality from NDF to spot and NDF to forward in the post-QE period; Second, Malaysian Government Securities (MGS) has a vital role during the QE period while international reserve precedes the spot, forward and NDF exchange rates in the post-US QE exit. Our results reaffirm the policy measures taken by the Central Bank in regulating the NDF market. Our finding suggests that: First: MGS and Reserve are essential variables that can be used to counter speculation from the offshore NDF market; and Second, right policy stance must be communicated by the Central Bank to the market participants to avoid excessive volatility to the domestic currency which will affect the real economy

Exchange rate regimes and market integration: evidence from the dynamic relations between renminbi onshore and offshore markets

The Chinese renminbi (RMB) has been on the way of becoming a major international currency. This paper examines the impact of the RMB exchange rate regime and policy on the integration and information flows between RMB onshore and offshore markets. We employ a long sample of daily data encompassing multiple times of RMB exchange rate regime change (peg to managed float in 2005, re-peg in 2008, re-float in 2010, and the central parity reform in 2015), and study the dynamic conditional correlations and spillovers between RMB onshore spot market and offshore non-deliverable forward (NDF) market. It is found that the switch from exchange rate peg to managed float and a widening of the floating band strengthen cross-market correlation and information flows (especially offshore-to-onshore spillovers). A market-learning explanation is offered for the observation that the correlation collapse in the re-peg period was not as prompt as the correlation take-off in the 2005 reform period. These findings have important implications for China’s monetary and foreign exchange policies and shed light on the integration of China’s financial markets with the rest of the world.

Offshore Currency Markets: Non-Deliverable Forwards (NDFs) in Asia

Non-deliverable forward (NDF) markets in many Asian emerging market currencies are large, rapidly growing, and often exceed onshore markets in transaction volume. NDFs tend to price significant depreciation during market stress episodes including COVID-19. Spillovers from NDFs to onshore markets are a policymaker concern. Our analysis shows that influences tend to run both ways after controlling for differences in timezones between markets. For the COVID-19 pandemic there is some evidence of NDFs leading onshore markets for a few currencies. Policy approaches to NDFs vary widely across Asia from close integration with onshore markets to severe restrictions on NDF trading.

New financial markets and their impact on raw material prices

<p>The purpose of the study was to determine the impact of the Chinese financial market, which is a new market, on the exchange rates of commodity currencies and, thus, the prices of raw materials. For this purpose, an autoregressive distributed lag model (ARDL) was used. The results indicate that the Chinese stock market and futures market for the yuan (the Chinese Yuan Non-Deliverable Forward Transactions; CNY NDF market) had a significant impact on commodity currencies before the global financial crisis in 2008/09, then the effect widened to include more commodity currencies in the post-crisis period. Further evidence suggests that the CNY NDF market had a greater impact on commodity currencies than the Chinese stock market. Despite the significant position of the Chinese economy, research also indicates that the impact of Chinese financial markets on commodity currencies (raw material prices) is weaker than the impact of the US stock market and US dollar market.</p>

Understanding Indonesia’s exchange rate behavior

PurposeThe main aim of this paper is to examine the mechanism of determining the exchange rate of the US dollar against the Indonesian rupiah (USD/IDR) by market players to manage the USD/IDR exchange rate stability. Thus, this study is expected to provide a better understanding of the determinants of the USD/IDR, given that the data set completely encompasses all the USD/IDR transactions in the Indonesian foreign exchange market. Order flow data used in this study cover all transactions on the USD/IDR conducted by domestic residents including both individuals and corporations and foreign investors in the Indonesian foreign exchange market.Design/methodology/approachThis study covers the data set over the period January 3, 2011 to December 31, 2015, and the vector autoregression and autoregressive distributed lag models are used in examining the research questions. More particularly, in this study, the author examines whether the net total domestic individual transactions (DOVA), net total domestic corporation transactions (KOVA), net total foreign investor transactions (IOVA), Asian Dollar Index (ADXY), non-deliverable forward (NDF) for USD/IDR and Volatility Index (VIX) are statistically significant determinants of the USD/IDR exchange rate.FindingsOverall, this study suggests that in the short run, lag of the USD/IDR exchange rate or inertia level, lag of the IOVA, lag of the NDF of the USD/IDR exchange rate and lag of the ADXY are statistically significant determinants of the USD/IDR. On the other hand, in the long run, DOVA, NDF and ADXY are found to be statistically significant determinants of USD/IDR. This study also found that there is a market leader and asymmetric information among market players in the Indonesian foreign exchange market, and their USD/IDR exchange rate level becomes a reference for other market players when conducting transactions with each other.Originality/valueThe paper is original along two lines. First, the data set used in this study is unique. It encompasses all the USD/IDR transactions in the Indonesian foreign exchange market. The order flow data used in this study cover all transactions on the USD/IDR conducted by domestic residents (includes both individuals and corporations) and foreign investors in the Indonesian foreign exchange market. Such an approach has not been used previously to study the exchange rate behavior in an emerging market. Second, there is limited knowledge on Indonesia’s exchange rate dynamics. This study fills this gap.

Can onshore spot market progress influence offshore N.D.F. market development for the C.N.Y?

This study utilises a time-varying wavelet analysis to examine the relationship between the onshore spot market and the offshore non-deliverable forward (N.D.F.) market of the Chinese Yuan (C.N.Y.). Given the presence of structural changes in the two markets, we did not find any stable causality during the sample period. However, in some sub-samples, we found that there is a strong nonlinear causal relationship running from the onshore spot market to the offshore N.D.F. market. Ties between the two markets are closer after the widening of the onshore trading band, first in April 2012, second in March 2014 and again in August 2015. The onshore spot market is heavily influenced by interventions by the People's Bank of China (P.B.C.). These findings imply that offshore N.D.F. market development is not divorced from onshore development, as developments in the onshore spot market influence the offshore N.D.F. market. The results show that the exchange rate markets for the C.N.Y. are not efficient. Thus, to successfully internationalise the C.N.Y., financial expansion of the onshore spot market should keep pace with the growing offshore N.D.F. market to minimise destabilisation of the C.N.Y.

Indian Financial Integration: Evidence from the NDF Market

This study seeks to investigate the extent and causes of financial integration of India with the rest of the world during the sample period of January 2000 to October 2017. The study compares the interest rate which ought to prevail, with respect to the Non-Deliverable Forward (NDF) rate, in case of Covered Interest Parity and what actually does prevail. The difference between the Covered Interest Parity implied domestic interest rate and the actual domestic interest rate is our measure of financial integration. The study tries to find out different macroeconomic variables which affect the financial integration of India. The study used ordinary least squares, Johansen’s Cointegration technique along with VECM and Granger causality to unearth the long run and short run relationship of financial integration with plausible macroeconomic variables. We found India to be significantly non-integrated. Inflation volatility, changes in NEER and GDP along with Bank Rate and CRR were found to unequivocally influence financial integration of India. We also found structural break present in variables under study at June 2008.

A Study on Price Discovery of New York Won/Dollar Non-Deliverable Forwards Market

A Study on Price Discovery of New York Won/Dollar Non-Deliverable Forwards Market

The impact of Chinese financial markets on commodity currency exchange rates

This paper investigates the effects of Chinese financial markets on commodity currency exchange rates (CCERs), employing an auto-regressive distributed lag model (ARDL) and an SVAR model. The results show that the Chinese stock market and the Chinese Yuan Non-Deliverable Forwards market (CNY NDF market) had a significant impact on CCERs before the Global Financial Crisis in 2008/09 and this effect has extended to more commodity currencies after the Crisis. Further evidence shows that the CNY NDF market had a greater effect on CCERs than the Chinese stock market did. Nevertheless, our results also show that the effect of the Chinese financial markets on CCERs is weaker than that of the US stock market and the USD FX market.