Ratings
GCC banks face cash crunch
Both Islamic and conventional banks will face slower asset growth over the next two years due to a number of factors interrelate factors leading to thinning liquidity, with some of the region’s banks expected to hit the market with capital raising issuances in the run-up to Ramadan.
10 May 2016
Video: Richard Luddington, Morgan Stanley
Richard Luddington, Vice Chairman, Global Capital Markets, Morgan Stanley,discusses some of the major changes he is seeing in the MENA region’s capital markets and how this compares to what he is seeing in neighbouring regions.
9 May 2016
Is Russia’s frosty relationship with international markets a boon for its debt?
With Russia’s Alfa bank looking to access the debt capital markets in the near future, and given a recent lack of Russian activity on the international markets, there is a possibility that Russian debt could prove to be as popular as Argentina’s recent bond debut – according to Russia’s Deputy Finance Minister. But is that really the case?
5 May 2016
Kazakhstan downgrade has little effect
Kazakhstan has received another rating downgrade due to an economy weakened by low oil prices. Although the country’s currency has performed poorly as of late, worrying entities with dollar denominated loans, its markets have recently been buoyed a revival in oil markets.
4 May 2016
Puerto Rico faces severe debt crisis
Puerto Rico is facing a severe repayments crisis. The territory has already defaulted on a large repayment due at the beginning of this month, albeit achieving slight damage limitation. A larger repayment looms in July, and it’s looking likely even holders of general obligation bonds are at risk of losing out on returns.
3 May 2016
Video: Hans Humes, CEO, Greylock Capital Management
How does debt in the GCC compare to that of other markets and what opportunities are there in the region for investors?
29 Apr 2016
Video: Tony Leon, Former DA Leader, Republic of South Africa
How has political mismanagement impacted South Africa?
20 Apr 2016
S&P: Islamic financing could aid UN initiatives
Standard & Poor’s contends that Islamic financing could play a bigger role in humanitarian efforts alongside other projects outlined by the United Nations.
18 Apr 2016
Video: Todd Schubert, Head of Fixed Income Research, Bank of Singapore
Where are the bright spots in African fixed income?
15 Apr 2016
Poland reopens Eurobond but EM investor appetite wanes
Poland marked its return to the international debt markets this week, reopening 20-year euro-denominated bonds initially sold in January this year. Despite securing better pricing than it did on the initial issuance, EM investors aren’t particularly convinced there’s a bargain to be had.
14 Apr 2016