It looks like Russia’s first external default in a century is almost upon us, but is it managing to avoid default? This article examines the situation in Russia, and provides insight into its prospects for default and debt relief. The article also explores the role of foreign exchange revenues from the sale of gas and oil in paying back the country’s debt. Here are three key points that Russia should keep in mind. They will help the country avoid default and avoid a credit default.
Russia’s first external default in a century looks all but inevitable
Russia is facing its first external default since 1918, when it ran into financial trouble. Its debt is worth about $40 billion in dollar terms, and interest payments due this week are due in the local currency. While Russia is entitled to a 30-day grace period before it technically defaults, many believe this will be too little time for the country to pay up. Defaults on foreign currency debt are historically significant and symbolically significant, and the repercussions of such a move will have a lasting effect on the Russian economy.
There is one possible scenario where Russia will unilaterally declare a moratorium on repayments. The moratorium can be temporary or permanent and can come before or after the payment default. It can be a stopgap measure before debt restructuring takes place. It is similar to the moratorium declared by Mexico in 1982. It also could trigger a CDS contract. Funds specialising in distressed situations often purchase debt obligations in default with the hope of making money when debtors undergo a restructuring. In such a case, they often seek out compensation and other assets.
The new leadership in Russia is not capable of dealing with a leadership vacuum. Young professionals working in state institutions were interviewed to see how they felt about the situation. One young government official said that it is better to remain silent. Such passive acceptance does not display leadership. But in the long run, the government should not allow the government to become a failure. Rather than ignoring the crisis, it should seek help from external institutions.
Russia’s ability to repay its debt is less of an issue
Compared to the 1998 financial crisis, when Russia defaulted on its debts and was downgraded to “junk” status by S&P, the recent problems are less of a concern. While the Kremlin has been working to regain the trust of foreign investors, the country has not defaulted on its debts in over a decade. Russia did rely on international aid to pay its debts, though.
A Russian default would be the latest symptom of a greater isolation from the international community. Foreign investors are unlikely to deal with Russia after the annexation of Crimea in 2014. The global economy is already feeling the effects of the war in Ukraine. Analysts recently revised their forecasts for world economic growth in 2022 to reflect the impact of this conflict on world trade. If Russia defaults, sanctions and economic harm will only exacerbate the problem.
Before the Russian invasion, the country used its foreign currency reserves to keep up with its bond payments. But it’s not enough. In April 2022, it is likely that Russia will have to declare default. In any case, the country would lose its reputation among bond investors. The ruble is worth less than one cent a dollar, and that would hurt everyday Russians’ purchasing power. A default will take years to repair.
Until the invasion of Ukraine, Russia was one of the world’s most creditworthy nations. However, the sanctions imposed on the country have frozen its foreign currency reserves. As a result, the Russian finance minister said he didn’t know whether the money would go through. However, the US Treasury Department said sanctions wouldn’t prevent Russia from paying its debts. A default would cause a wide range of problems for the country.
The credit default swap market is one metric that investors will be keeping an eye on. Credit default swaps are insurance policies for bonds that kick in when a borrower fails. According to JPMorgan, there are about $6 billion worth of CDS on the market. If CDS settlements don’t go smoothly, there could be increased global risk contagion if debtors don’t get paid.
Until February, the idea of a Russian default was unthinkable. But sanctions have forced Russian bonds to drop well below par value. Some Russian bonds are trading at just a tenth of their face value. Despite this, due payments are still due – and a 30-day grace period still exists. Despite this, Jackson’s point is that the Russian government is “in a good position” to repay its debt.
Although the creditors of Russia are powerful and odious, they have no legal right to levy liens against Russian government property. The true victims of Putin’s aggression are the Ukrainians. Debt activists are working to pass legislation in major creditor countries to ban vulture funds, which take advantage of distressed sovereigns. As a result, the Russian economy is expected to shrink by 30 percent. Because most exports have been blocked, Russian businesses will struggle to pay their debts.
It can use foreign exchange revenues from gas and oil sales to pay back its debt
Russia has avoided a debt default by using dollar reserves stored outside the country. The amount of the payment has not been disclosed, but earlier this month, the Russian finance ministry said it has tried to make a $649 million payment toward two U.S. bonds. The amount was $38 million less than forecast, according to data released by the Russian finance ministry. The World Bank predicts the Russian economy to contract 11.2% by 2022.
Europe and Russia are mutually dependent on each other’s gas supplies and energy production. A recent deal between the EU and the United States to release 60 million barrels of oil from Russia’s strategic petroleum reserves is an example of mutual dependence. It is unlikely that the two sides will agree to a gas embargo, but European customers will be more willing to tolerate a gas shortage.
While the United States and Europe are both interested in easing relations with Russia, there are many questions that remain unanswered. The EU must ensure Russia has sufficient impetus to maximize its exports to Europe. In the short term, the most important variables are sentiment towards foreign investment, Gazprom’s ability to raise capital on the debt markets, and the Russian government’s willingness to extend financial aid to the country.
While the future of the global economy is uncertain, Russia can use its foreign exchange revenues from gas and oil sales to repay its debt. By lowering the price of the energy supplies to China, Russia can make its debt payments to the IMF in two years. The country could also use the money from gas and oil sales to finance its investment program. While the future of oil prices is still uncertain, the country has already been restructuring the entire Eurasian gas market. It has appointed state-owned Gazprom to oversee the reorganization process.
While the Russia-Ukraine crisis is a low-risk earnings risk for U.S. corporates, the energy prices shock may dampen investor sentiment. The greatest risk to European banks is posed by sanctions aimed at Russian-owned companies with local legal entities in the country. However, the tightening of monetary policy remains a major risk for U.S. equities. Further, policymakers could consider additional fiscal stimulus to ease investor sentiment.
As a result, the EU has approved the use of the European Peace Facility (EPF) for the Ukraine crisis. The payments have helped Russia’s foreign exchange reserves, which increased marginally in the week ending April 1. The Russian government had been making its payments on time until last Monday, when US Treasury blocked its payment in dollars held by US banks. It transferred the funds to Moscow in rubles, which have since rebounded to pre-war levels.
