From Complexity to Clarity: My Journey in Emerging Markets
As a Sovereign Credit Strategist, my career is driven by a singular purpose: to transform the intricate and often volatile landscape of global Emerging Markets into clear, actionable opportunities for institutional investors. This mission is rooted in a deep intellectual curiosity and a commitment to delivering alpha even in the most challenging market conditions.
The Story So Far
The Foundation: Building Analytical Rigor
My journey into the world of sovereign credit began with a robust academic foundation. I earned an M.Sc in Political Science and Political Economy with Distinction from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), where I focused on Emerging Markets, Econometrics, and Causal Inference. This rigorous training provided the analytical building blocks for my approach.
My early professional experiences included a summer internship at a global EM macro hedge fund, and work across the J.P. Morgan emerging market desks in London. I first worked at Autonomy Capital and then joined J.P. Morgan, where as an EMEA EM Local Markets Strategist, I specialized in local rates and FX trade ideas for CEEMEA, taking the lead for local frontiers in sub-Saharan Africa, Egypt, and Pakistan. Here, I honed my quantitative skills, developing FX models, fair-value yield valuations, and risk-reward scorecards.
The Catalyst: Pioneering the Call on Sri Lanka's Debt Crisis
A defining chapter in my career unfolded during the Sri Lanka debt crisis. My analysis of Sri Lanka's impending restructuring risks was the first on Wall Street to issue a clear warning, providing critical foresight for investors. Even amidst the crisis, I continued to recommend profitable short-term trades, delivering multiple 10-30%+ total return trades within six months and accurately navigating each phase of the debt default.
Even in the post-restructuring phase, my work continues to set the standard. My analysis on innovative instruments like macro-linked bonds has become the market benchmark for the latest SRILAN Eurobond prices, helping our Asia trading desk become a market leader. This analysis is closely followed by government and IMF officials alike, and my reports consistently provide correct market trade ideas, reaffirming my role as a key voice in its recovery.
This work cemented my reputation, leading to top rankings in Institutional Investor’s Sovereign Debt Strategy polls for both EM Asia ex-Japan and EMEA EM while at J.P. Morgan, solidifying my standing as Wall Street’s go-to analyst for Sri Lanka and other EM Asia sovereign markets.
The Philosophy: Building a Trusted Franchise in Asia Sovereign Credit
Today, as the sole Asia Macro & Sovereign Credit Strategist at a leading US investment bank, I am dedicated to building a leading franchise in Asia Sovereign Credit. With nearly a decade of experience moving sovereign credit markets, I am positioned as a key voice for all of Asia, with a market-leading strength in the Asia frontiers. I have cultivated a solid franchise of investor partners and a proven track record of generating PnL through consistent, high-conviction calls. My core strength lies in synthesizing complex and always evolving macroeconomic, political, and market data into clear and simple narratives that help institutional investors capture asymmetric risk-reward opportunities.
My methodology is rooted in collaboration and real-world pragmatism. I deeply partner with investor clients, maintaining open dialogue to align analysis and trade ideas with their evolving priorities. This involves extensive engagement, from 20+ investor roadshows across New York, London, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Milan to over 70 global investor zooms (and counting) over the last two years, and client trips to Sri Lanka and Maldives to meet policymakers and business leaders. I've also established the firm as a key Asia voice at IMF DC meetings and participated in numerous panels and discussions with rating agencies, government officials, and multilateral institutions.
I empower clients by turning complexity into clarity, delivering alpha through actionable frameworks and fostering trust that spans market cycles. My published work includes over 70 reports over the last two years at my current role, covering market-moving notes on Sri Lanka, Mongolia, and Maldives, tactical relative value ideas across quasi-sovereign markets in Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand, and thematic pieces on topics like China fiscal stimulus and the macro impact of Trump Tariffs on Asia. I leverage quantitative technical tools such as cross-comparative macro scorecards, debt sustainability analysis, and restructuring models, combined with qualitative analysis from years of experience and a vast global network, to cut through noise and identify high-conviction trades.
Beyond the Charts: Good people, great ideas
When the screens are off, my world revolves around good conversations and new experiences. While I love reading (and writing) great research reports, I find that some of the best ideas come from a challenging run with a friend or a spontaneous chat at a gallery opening. I love bringing people together—whether it's for a casual dinner to debate everything from macroeconomics to local art, or just exploring a new neighborhood in Hong Kong. At the end of the day, it's about connecting with interesting people, having a good time, and sharing ideas. Everything else is just details.
Initiate a Dialogue
If my approach to navigating the complexities of Emerging Markets resonates with you, I invite you to connect.