Economics and Markets
Debt Servicing Costs Seen Weighing on Egypt’s Recovery
While the economic reforms of the past three years have pushed the country in the right direction and helped reduce the fiscal deficit, the interest bill is going to determine the scale of fiscal improvement in Egypt in the coming years, Moody’s said in a recently published paper.
13 Jan 2020
EM Debt Accumulation Hits Record Levels in 2019 – WorldBank
Spurred by unprecedented decline in global interest rates, global debt rise in the past decade has been greater, faster and more broad-based than during any previous “debt accumulation waves”, the IFI’s report states.
13 Jan 2020
Commodity Prices, Regulation & Funding Access Biggest Risks for Energy Companies in 2020 - Moody's
Looking at the year ahead, energy companies worldwide could face challenges from weak commodity prices, regulatory barriers and a lack of access to funding, according to a recent note from Moody’s.
10 Jan 2020
EM External Debt Benefiting from ‘Delightful Diversification’ - Ashmore
Despite a number of high-profile periods of volatility in 2019, it was a strong year for emerging market external debt, argues Jan Dehn, Head of Research at Ashmore Asset Management. Boasting returns of 15%, the asset class is reaping the rewards of growing credit quality and increased diversification.
10 Jan 2020
Stellar Emerging Market Debt Returns “Unlikely to be Replicated in 2020” – M&G
The stellar returns produced by emerging market debt in 2019 are unlikely to be replicated in 2020, according to Claudia Calich, Head of Emerging Market Debt at M&G Investments.
9 Jan 2020
China’s Economy to Grow Above 6% in 2020 – Standard Chartered
China’s economy is forecast to grow at a rate of 6.1% in 2020, according to Standard Chartered – 0.2% higher than the average market prediction of 5.9%.
9 Jan 2020
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
Severity of 2019 Slowdown in India 'Exceeded All Expectations"– IDFC Mutual Fund
Following a year of falling growth for India, Suyash Choudhary, Head of Fixed Income at IDFC Mutual Fund, reflects on some of the economy’s challenges.
7 Jan 2020
Turkish Bank Interest Cash Flow Shows Asset Quality Under Pressure - Fitch Ratings
The Turkish banking sector continues to face pressure on asset quality, with interest receipts in 4Q2019 falling around 10% below the interest accrued, according to a recent note from Fitch Ratings.
7 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