Turkish Lira Hits New Low
The Turkish lira approached 50 per US dollar in October 2026, hitting a fresh record low as authorities maintained a controlled pace of depreciation while intervening in foreign exchange markets to prevent a sharper decline. The lira remains exposed to carry-trade positioning, with investors borrowing in lower-yielding currencies to invest in Turkish assets offering higher returns. At its October meeting, the Central Bank of Turkey cut its benchmark interest rate by 100 basis points to 36%, as expected, marking its first rate cut since the war with Iran began. The decision followed a further easing in inflation, which slowed to 29.73% in September, its lowest level in nearly five years.. The easing cycle is expected to continue into 2027, with the policy rate forecast to fall to 28% by year-end. Meanwhile, the investment fund sector faced a crisis last month after regulators ordered the liquidation of 131 funds, following concerns over asset managers reporting unusually high returns.
The Turkish lira approached 50 per US dollar in October 2026, hitting a fresh record low as authorities maintained a controlled pace of depreciation while intervening in foreign exchange markets to prevent a sharper decline. The lira remains exposed to carry-trade positioning, with investors borrowing in lower-yielding currencies to invest in Turkish assets offering higher returns. At its October meeting, the Central Bank of Turkey cut its benchmark interest rate by 100 basis points to 36%, as expected, marking its first rate cut since the war with Iran began.
The decision followed a further easing in inflation, which slowed to 29.73% in September, its lowest level in nearly five years.. The easing cycle is expected to continue into 2027, with the policy rate forecast to fall to 28% by year-end. Meanwhile, the investment fund sector faced a crisis last month after regulators ordered the liquidation of 131 funds, following concerns over asset managers reporting unusually high returns.