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Win Thin 153 posts 0 comments

Win Thin is the Head of Emerging Markets Currency Strategy at Brown Brothers Harriman. He has a broad international background with a special interest in developing markets. Win received his Ph.D. in economics from Columbia University in 1995, specializing in international and development Economics. He received an MA from Georgetown University in 1985 and a B.A. from Brandeis University 1983.

Political Economy

More On Geithner’s Currency Classifications

Win Thin Oct 21, 2010

by Win Thin US Treasury Secretary Geithner broke down the world’s currencies into three groups: 1) currencies that are undervalued “by any measure”, 2) EM countries that have flexible currencies under what could be called a “dirty…

Markets

More Emerging Markets Countries Mulling Capital Controls

Win Thin Oct 21, 2010

from Win Thin, Global Head Of Emerging Markets Strategy, BBH Philippines central bank said it will use a mix of tools to manage capital inflows, since those inflows can “complicate” monetary policy. Level of concern appears low, but…

Economy

More Thoughts On China

Win Thin Oct 19, 2010

by Win Thin We don’t think that the timing of the PBOC hike was any coincidence, as the monthly data deluge from China is scheduled for October 21. It appears that price pressures and bank lending remain too strong for the…

Markets

PBOC Surprises Markets and Triggers EM Profit-Taking

Win Thin Oct 19, 2010

by Win Thin People’s Bank of China surprised markets with a 25 bp hike in early North American hours, taking the 1-year lending rate to 5.56% and the 1-year deposit rate to 2.5%. This was the first official rate hike since December…

Political Economy

Brazil Raises IOF Tax On Fixed Income Again, Warns Of More Capital Controls

Win Thin Oct 18, 2010

by Win Thin No big surprise from Brazil’s decision to boost the IOF tax again on fixed income foreign investment to 6% from 4% previously. Still, this is a pretty strong statement since it comes just two weeks after it was hiked to…

Economy

Brazil Rates To Head Higher In 2011 Even As BRL Gains, Current Account Gap Widens

Win Thin Oct 18, 2010

by Win Thin Brazil central bank starts its two day meeting Tuesday, and market is looking for rates to be kept steady at 10.75%. Though rates are expected to remain steady through 2010, market is looking for tightening to resume next…

Political Economy

Emerging Market Capital Controls Event Risk Remains High And Rising

Win Thin Oct 18, 2010

From Win Thin More and more EM policy-makers are complaining about currency strength, and we think it’s only a matter of time before other countries resort to capital controls to help ease appreciation pressures. Chile President…

Economy

Hungary Gives Markets A Dose Of Reality, Go Short HUF

Win Thin Oct 15, 2010

by Win Thin Markets have given a big thumbs down to the austerity measures announced by Hungary this week, with the forint and foreign currency bonds giving up some of their recent gains. The government is still trying to go it alone…

Political Economy

Fed More Dovish Than Expected, Points To Asset Purchases “Before Long”

Win Thin Oct 12, 2010

From Win Thin FOMC minutes from September 21 meeting was surprisingly dovish. FOMC members thought that additional accommodation may be “appropriate before long” and seemed to lower the bar for further action. During his…

Economy

Rising Food Prices Likely To Push EM Central Banks Into Tightening

Win Thin Oct 1, 2010

From Win Thin Inflation data out of Asia today points to rising risks of food-driven inflation. While that should not have monetary policy implications if due solely to supply side disruptions, it could lead to policy responses if…