Eastern European EMs highly correlated to Ruble

Once Russia invaded Ukraine, there was no looking back for USD/RUB.  The Bank of Russia tried to stop the bleeding of the Ruble for a few days as the pair took out all-time highs at 85.98.  However, this past weekend, Russia was taken off the SWIFT financial messaging system. Therefore, Russia was unable to make financial transactions with many countries.  The Ruble melted and USD/RUB screamed higher to a high thus far today at 118.125.  The Central Bank of Russia conceded and said it cannot prevent the collapse of the Ruble.

Source: Tradingview, Stone X

So where can traders turn if they are interested in taking advantage of the move in USD/RUB?  They can look west to USD/PLN, USD/HUF and USD/CZK.

USD/PLN has been moving higher since the beginning of the invasion as well. Notice the correlation at the bottom of the screen is +0.93. A reading of +1.00 is considered a perfect positive correlation, in which the 2 assets move in the same direction 100% of the time.  A reading above +0.80 is considered a strong correlation. 

However, unlike USD/RUB, USD/PLN was held short of making all-time new highs today at 4.3078.   The pair hasn’t traded this high since March 2020.  There is also year long trendline that crosses just above today’s highs and the 127.2% Fibonacci extension from the highs of November 23^rd, 2021 to the lows of February 10^th at 4.2834.  If USD/PLN can break into all-time high territory, the next level of resistance is the 161.8% Fibonacci extension from the same timeframe at 4.3841.  However, notice that the RSI is in overbought territory (above 70).  Therefore, price may be due for a pullback.  First support is at the previous high of 4.2042, then Monday’s low at 4.1046, which is also the 50% retracement level from the February 10^th lows to today’s highs.

Source: Tradingview, Stone X

USD/HUF looks very similar to the chart of USD/PLN.  The pair has been moving higher since the invasion began and was halted today at all-time highs near 340.67.  The correlation coefficient between USD/HUF and USD/RUB is also +0.93.  However, USD/HUF broke through the upward sloping trendline dating back to March 2021.  If price breaks into new all-time high territory, resistance is at the 161.8% Fibonacci extension from the highs of December 15^th, 2021 to the low of February 7^th near 349.84.  However, notice that the RSI is also overbought.  Support is at the prior high of 333.46, then Monday’s low at 323.82, which is also the 50% retracement level from the February 7^th lows to today’s highs.

Source: Tradingview, Stone X

The chart of USD/CZK is somewhat like that of USD/PLN and USD/HUF, however there are many differences.  The main takeaway is the correlation between USD/CZK and USD/RUB is +0.94. The pair has been moving higher today, however was halted at the highs of November 26^th, 2021 near 22.9325.  Resistance above is at the upward sloping trendline from March 2021 near 23.2000 and the 50% retracement from the all-time highs of March 2020 to the lows of May 25^th, 2021 near 23.3973.  Notice the RSI is overbought, indicating the pair may be ready for a pullback.  First support is at Monday’s lows of 21.9563, which is also the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement from the February 7^th lows to today’s highs, then the 50 Day Moving Average 21.6870.

Source: Tradingview, Stone X

The Ruble has been moving lower since the beginning of the invasion into Ukraine and has collapsed since Russia was removed from SWIFT.  However, traders who are looking to take advantage of the move higher in USD/RUB can look to USD/PLN, USD/HUF or USD/CZK.  These Eastern European EMs all have a strong correlation with USD/RUB!