Investment
FX Invest Middle East: Mena region dodges Arab Spring 'curveball'
HSBC's senior economist for the Middle East and North Africa tells delegates at FX Invest conference that the region has dealt with two big challenges this year, but it stands in better shape than some developed economies
Taking stock of 2011: the buy side
Central bank intervention, volatile markets and forthcoming regulation – hedgers and investors in the FX market continue to face some real challenges. Chiara Albanese and Miriam Siers hear their views
FX Invest: Macroeconomic uncertainty boosts demand for gold and oil exposure
Continued uncertainty about inflation and deepening concerns over sovereign default risks in Europe are making the commodities increasingly attractive as hedging tools
China tests further easing of renminbi convertibility of capital account
China's State Council is advising the Shenzhen municipal government and local regulators about permitting renimibi conversion outside of currency restrictions
BAML incorporates OTC trading in new risk index
Bank of America Merrill Lynch has launched a new index which measures risks not normally visible in public markets by incorporating assets trading in the over-the-counter market.
EU Prips consultation document accepts one size does not fit all
The European Union has published its consultation document on the legislative steps for the Packaged Retail Investment Products (Prips) initiative. The document contains few surprises and is available for final comments until January 31, 2011.
Cash management – a big puddle of cost
If a global financial services firm is leaking cash, you need to get your plumbing fixed. Olaf Ransome, 3cadvisory and Nick Downes, Logica, explain what needs to be done, and why senior management needn’t fear the changes
Citi indexes offer low-cost forex exposure
Citi has launched the CitiFX Beta Indexes series, aimed at providing investors with an inexpensive, flexible means of accessing foreign exchange as an asset class.
RBC targets Asian wealth management clients
Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) has acquired Fortis Wealth Management Hong Kong as part of an effort to build up its private banking business in Asia.
Ohmän gains structured products team from Swedbank
Ohmän investment bank in Sweden has recruited eight members of the 12-person structured products team from Swedbank in Sweden.
New value in Korean bond/swap basis play?
Upheaval in the currency markets as a result of fears of protectionist action by a number of emerging market countries to defend their competitive positions has created a raft of threats and opportunities in the financial markets, including a new play on…
Triple hire for Macquarie Private Wealth Asia
Macquarie hires three senior executives to boost its private wealth operation in Asia
UK structured products stuck on repeat
An unfavourable pricing environment and investor caution is resulting in a series of familiar structures in the UK market. A few variations in underlying are evident but all come back to income
BNP Paribas enters US retail market via Bank of the West
BNP Paribas is offering market-linked certificates of deposit to US retail investors for the first time through subsidiary Bank of the West
Ability of Bric nations to revive global economy exaggerated, say analysts
The contribution of Brazil, Russia, India and China to the world economy is still too small to compensate for low demand in advanced economies.
db x-trackers launches currency ETFs in London
LONDON - db x-trackers, Deutsche Bank’s exchange-traded fund (ETF) platform, launched two ETFs linked to the DB Currency Returns Index (DBCR) last week.
Chris Lee reappears at Deutsche Bank as head of GMIP and db-X, Asia
Deutsche Bank has hired Chris Lee as head of structured products for Asia, just a few months after he left a similar position at UBS
Investors concerned over German banks' exposure to southern Europe
Investors and economists have identified German banks’ exposure to Europe’s indebted peripheral sovereigns as a potential risk to state finances.
Dow Jones and CME create FX index to hedge against US dollar
NEW YORK & CHICAGO – Dow Jones Indexes and CME Group have created a foreign exchange index that represents the value of the US dollar against six major world currencies, creating a tool for investors wanting to hedge themselves against changes in the…
Risk Europe: Euro volatility and regulatory uncertainty biggest concerns, say CROs
Buy-side chief risk officers voice their concerns about the effects of regulatory inconsistency on volatility.
BBVA looks to Taiwan for growth
TAIPEI – BBVA will, in the coming weeks, apply to the Taiwan financial regulator to open a locally incorporated unit on the island, as the bank continues to look for expansion opportunities across Asia.
ETF Securities: Listed currency products in demand
LONDON – ETF Securities reported assets of $120 million in its currency-linked exchange-traded portfolio as of April 23, signalling increased demand for these products.