Commodities
GCC Sovereigns Could Face Challenging 2020 As They Shift Further into Uncharted Geopolitical Territory
Following a year marked by numerous tanker incidents in the Straits of Hormuz and a brazen attack on Saudi Aramco’s oil infrastructure, a recent escalation in geopolitical tensions between the US, Iran and Iraq could start to reverse the strong technicals-driven performance increase seen amongst GCC sovereign credit in 2019, according to analysts at Standard Chartered.
8 Jan 2020
Oil Touches USD70 Per Barrel as Geopolitical Tensions Flare but Beyond Spot Prices, Market Reaction Remains Subdued
Brent crude prices reached within touching distance of USD70 per barrel following the US assassination of a high-ranking Iranian general in Bagdad last week, but looking beyond spot prices, the reaction of oil markets has been relatively subdued, according to Emirates NBD’s Edward Bell.
6 Jan 2020
Indonesia: Wide Current Account, Infrastructure Spending Limiting Easing Room in 2020 – HSBC
A wide current account deficit heading into next year is likely to limit the amount of easing Indonesia’s Central Bank will be capable of delivering, according to economists at HSBC, signalling a need for further reform in the Asian country.
17 Dec 2019
Commodity Price Swings: Precious Metals Seen Shifting Higher as Oil Softens in 2020 – SCB Data
Commodities markets have seen prices swing higher in 2019 in key segments, but the outlook for 2020 is far from certain, according to new research from Standard Chartered Bank.
16 Dec 2019
The Contradiction at the Heart of the Aramco IPO
The Saudi government does not see a viable, long-term future in oil and gas but continues to hope that investors will measure the country's crown jewel, Saudi Aramco, differently, argues Robert Mogielnicki of the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington.
29 Nov 2019
SWOT Analysis: Privatisation and Domestic Issuances Driving Markets in Brazil
Bonds & Loans examines the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats facing the Brazilian market following a research trip to the region.
22 Nov 2019
SOCAR Finance GM Pursues Trade Finance Alternatives Following STAR Refinery Launch
SOCAR, Azerbaijan’s state oil and gas company, currently bears the mantle of the largest foreign direct investor in Turkey. The opening of SOCAR’s USD6.3bn STAR Refinery in October 2018 marked one of many major projects in the country. Bonds & Loans spoke with Elchin Ibadov, Finance and IT Deputy General Manager, about SOCAR’s bid to create a centralised treasury function, fostering operational…
24 Oct 2019
Assessing Saudi Arabia’s Investment Landscape: What Investors Really Think
Saudi Arabia’s economic prospects are on a positive trajectory, but a number of leading investors are of the view that the market is missing the mark when it comes appraising the Kingdom’s ability to achieve its fiscal consolidation objectives or tackle emerging headwinds. Whilst significant reforms have opened the country to greater FDI and boosted investor confidence, concerns regarding the…
16 Oct 2019
Grupo Argos CFO on Sector Strategy, Picking Relationship Banks, and Sustainability
Grupo Argos S.A is a Colombian conglomerate with large investments in the cement and energy industries, with operations in the United States, Panamá, Honduras and the Caribbean, and assets in various sectors from transport to real estate. The Group’s CFO Alejandro Piedrahita spoke with Bonds & Loans to discuss the group’s major businesses, the company’s bold new bid to build a new logistics hub…
15 Oct 2019
Brown Brothers Harriman: Emerging Markets Preview for the Week Ahead
EM benefited greatly from the improvement in US-China trade relations and quite possibly Brexit. The dollar is likely to remain under some pressure near-term as a result. Yet we must caution investors against getting too optimistic. The details of the partial trade deal still need to be worked out, while existing tariffs will still remain in place if the deal is signed next month as most expect.…
14 Oct 2019