Euro-funded EM carry trade gains 18% YTD, best start since 2005

The strategy of going long BRL, COP and TRY has outperformed early in the year as yield differentials remain supportive, even as crypto captures more investor attention.

Summary

A euro-funded emerging-market carry trade positioned long BRL, COP and TRY is up 18% year to date, marking its strongest start to a year since 2005. The move highlights the continued appeal of yield differentials (interest-rate gaps between currencies), a classic macro trading driver in which investors borrow in a lower-yielding currency and buy higher-yielding ones to capture the spread. The source frames the performance as a reminder that traditional foreign-exchange strategies are still delivering strong returns even while crypto markets dominate headlines.

Terms & Concepts
  • carry trade: Borrowing in a low-yield currency to invest in higher-yielding assets or currencies.
  • yield differentials: Differences in interest rates between markets or currencies.
  • EM: Emerging markets, generally faster-growing but riskier economies.