A Top Strategist Says It’s Time to Pile Into World’s Worst Currencies

Emerging-market currencies offer the best buying opportunity in more than two decades, according to Charlie Robertson, Renaissance Capital’s global chief economist.

The London-based strategist said he particularly likes the South African rand, Mexican peso and Brazilian real, which happen to be the three hardest-hit major currencies this year. His bull case is based on historically cheap valuations, funding support from multilateral lenders and the prospect of a weaker U.S. dollar. Meantime, he said crude oil prices could rebound to $45 or $50 per barrel “medium term,” buoying assets such as Russia’s ruble.