Key facts
- Record inflows into leveraged exchange-traded funds by foreign investors drove a breakdown in correlations between Korean stocks and the won during the first half of the year.
- Emerging market currencies typically have a positive correlation with their local equity markets, strengthening in bull markets.
- The negative equity-FX correlation has normalized as volatility subsides.
Record inflows into leveraged exchange-traded funds (ETFs) by foreign investors drove a breakdown in correlations between Korean stocks and the won during the first half of the year. Emerging market currencies typically have a positive correlation with their local equity markets, strengthening in bull markets. The negative equity-FX correlation has normalized as volatility subsides, but funds are poised for future opportunities.