Global
RAM ratings sees strong sukuk market for 2016
Despite a slowing global economy, RAM ratings expects sukuk issuance this year to remain high as the main Islamic financing hot spots look for additional capital to shore up their finances amid falling commodity prices, on which they have traditionally relied.
9 Mar 2016
ADB supports first APAC climate bond
The debut of a climate bond in the Asia Pacific region shows that these green debt instruments are gaining popularity. The assistance provided by the Asian Development Bank also demonstrates how banks can be involved in facilitating these types of issuances, which will further contribute to their growth.
2 Mar 2016
The China Convergence: Markets rattled but China is still rising
Despite a volatile second half of 2015 and beginning 2016 on a rather precarious note, little seems to stand in China’s way as it seeks to position the yuan as a global reserve currency and supplant the US to become the global benchmark for fixed income. But what does that mean for other emerging markets – and particularly, for those which are closely tied to the US?
29 Feb 2016
Challenges to African borrowers: An interview with Stewart Wakeman
Stewart Wakeman, Deputy General Manager, Structure Finance Division, Europe, Mizuho Bank discusses the challenges that African borrowers face and the countries/sectors that are likely to be most exciting during 2016.
29 Feb 2016
China continues to ease restrictions on its bond markets
China has removed nearly all restrictions for foreign investors on its bond markets. The country is poised to see an influx of foreign investment into its relatively high yielding bonds, though the country’s economic transition and currency worries may deter investors in the short term.
29 Feb 2016
Big funds go bullish on EM debt but caveats remain
Emerging Markets had a tough year across pretty much all asset classes in 2015. The tides seem to be turning as some of the world’s largest fund managers – BlackRock, Franklin Templeton, and PIMCO to name a few – get selectively bullish on EM equities and debt, but big caveats and contingencies remain. We caught up with Neil Shearing, Capital Economics’ Chief Emerging Markets, to get his take on…
25 Feb 2016
Egypt’s state-owned oil company Midor bags US$1.2bn loan
An Egyptian state owned oil company has secured a loan to fund the expansion of one of its refineries. The products of the developed refinery will likely go straight into the domestic market but the loan was taken in dollars as the revenues from oil sales are usually in the same currency.
25 Feb 2016
Could Turkey face a sovereign downgrade?
One of the three main ratings agencies already gives Turkey’s credit ‘junk’ status. A brief glance at the current economic situation there suggests further downgrades may be in the offing, but it is more likely geopolitical factors will play a larger role in influencing any future downgrades.
25 Feb 2016
External Macro Challenges to Africa: An interview with Konrad Reuss
Konrad Reuss, Managing Director, Standard & Poor's Ratings Services discusses the external macro challenges that Africa faced in 2015 and the challenges this will present to borrowers and issuers in 2016.
24 Feb 2016
Malaysia’s Prasarana launches MYR3bn sukuk
The Malaysian national transportation company has issued a hugely popular sukuk. Despite being affected by the commodity slump, demand for government linked sukuk is high due to the popularity of sukuk in the region combined with the stability of the company.
24 Feb 2016