Rest of the world

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  S&P licenses Indian futures contracts

  11 Mar 2010 Stock & exchange, Nations & economies
  Ratings agency Standard & Poor’s has licensed the National Stock Exchange of India to create and list rupee-denominated futures contracts on the S&P 500 benchmark index for the first time.

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  Strategist dampens fears of inflation

  11 Mar 2010 Nations & economies, Commodities, Research report
  Christian Nolting, Asia-Pacific lead strategist for Deutsche Bank Private Wealth Management, says that rising commodity prices could push up headline inflation rates, but that core rates will remain at a low level.

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  Investors tipped to smash commodities record

  10 Mar 2010 Commodities, Energy
  Investors worldwide are set to increase exposure to commodities and beat last year’s US$70 billion record, finds Barclays Capital. Their survey supports the feeling that commodities have become an investor darling again.

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  Fund manager focuses on stock-picker’s paradise

  03 Mar 2010 Stock & exchange, Nations & economies, Asset management
  Global economic growth will be slower than market consensus and equity investors should take advantage by targeting industry-leaders as they are best placed to benefit from potential consolidation, says Greg Woodard.

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  Investors alerted to 27 great brands of tomorrow

  26 Feb 2010 Stock & exchange, Broking
  Credit Suisse researchers have identified brand stocks across sectors and geographies that they believe will outperform the market over the next three-to-five years, and Asia-Pacific names feature prominently on their list.

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  Analysts predict upturn for hedge fund industry

  24 Feb 2010 Hedge funds, Asset management
  Eurekahedge analysts are conservatively predicting a 12% increase in global industry AUM as the sharp change in market conditions from mid-January prompts more investors to seek greater downside protection.

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  Bearish response to US rate hike ‘uncalled for’

  19 Feb 2010 Stock & exchange, Nations & economies, Foreign exchange
  Mitul Kotecha, head of global FX strategy at Credit Agricole, says the market reaction to the Fed’s discount rate hike is overdone and will have no immediate implication for Asian monetary policy or growth profile.

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  Impact of EU fiscal crisis on Asia downplayed

  17 Feb 2010 Nations & economies, Bonds, Foreign exchange
  Regional equity and currency markets are forecast to rebound despite fears over the potential debt default of several European countries. Analysts say Asia’s economic fundamentals are strong, which should support demand for regional assets.

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  Industry figures take bearish view on US dollar

  04 Feb 2010 Nations & economies, Foreign exchange
  While panelists at this month’s Euromoney Asia Forex Forum in Singapore were divided over the greenback’s short-term prospects, almost all take a bleak long-term view, noting ‘65% of the Federal Reserve’s assets are toxic’.

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  Experts debate risks of huge central bank reserves

  02 Feb 2010 Nations & economies, Foreign exchange
  Participants at the Euromoney Asia Forex Forum have questioned the need for Asian central banks to hoard excessive amounts of foreign exchange reserves, suggesting it could pose problems for global markets.

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  Asia’s IPO pipeline expected to thin out

  01 Feb 2010 Stock & exchange, Nations & economies
  Signs of consolidation in global equity markets, combined with a string of disappointing regional debuts, is forecast to slow Asia’s IPO pipeline down in the near term. But bankers expect activity to pick up before 2010 is through.

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  Further decoupling forecast for Asian nations

  28 Jan 2010 Stock & exchange, Nations & economies, Asset management
  Increasing domestic demand will see Asian economies continue to decouple from developed countries as the region becomes less dependent on exports, notes UK-based fund manager Aberdeen Asset Management.

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  Bankers see investor shift towards commodities

  27 Jan 2010 Stock & exchange, Structured products, Nations & economies, Commodities, Private banking
  Emerging market economies offered strong returns last year, but bankers are touting commodities as a potential trend for 2010. Given the likelihood of price volatility and seasonality, they expect investor education lies in store.

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  Citi strategists see the value of health care

  26 Jan 2010 Stock & exchange, Nations & economies, Commodities, Foreign exchange
  The US bank is advising clients to seize on opportunities in the health-care sector on the back of structural changes and long-term underperformance. It likes global real estate too, but points to potential risks in recovery.

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  Nomura highlights tale of two recoveries

  25 Jan 2010 Stock & exchange, Nations & economies
  Economic growth will remain divided between developed countries, which are likely to continue a weak recovery, and emerging market economies, which will forge ahead with a strong recovery, say economists at Nomura.

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  Wealth managers return to in-house products

  20 Jan 2010 Stock & exchange, Bonds, Private banking
  Private wealth management institutions increased aggregate allocation to in-house products to 40% last year, a rise of 12 percentage points, a survey has found. It comes as firms seek to bolster diminishing margins.

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  Hong Kong tipped to remain top IPO market in 2010

  20 Jan 2010 Stock & exchange, Nations & economies
  Firms from China and elsewhere are queuing up to debut in the city, attracted by its low interest-rate environment and relatively low volatility. Sun Hung Kai Financial argues a rise in IPOs could even alleviate surplus liquidity.

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  Opinion: Asia needs to cultivate green financial products

  20 Jan 2010 Editorial, Commodities, Energy
  Environmentally themed investment products have yet to take off in Asia-Pacific. This is a rare opportunity for asset managers and investment banks to get a foothold in a relatively untapped market. It would be unwise to miss it.

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  Carbon market tipped to contract in 2010

  19 Jan 2010 Nations & economies, Commodities, Energy
  A fall in carbon trading and stablisation of prices is expected to cause the global carbon market to contract this year. Widespread recession led to subdued appetite for carbon products, which in turn weighed on prices.

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  Credit Suisse highlights the merits of going green

  18 Jan 2010 Stock & exchange, Energy, Private banking
  Its private banking division has established a research institute to identify big picture trends shaping the future. Highlighting appealing valuations, it makes a compelling argument for making renewable energy investments.

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  Business news: the past week in Asia

  15 Jan 2010 Market wrap
  The Obama administration urges other nations to impose a levy on financial institutions. Meanwhile, China sees exports rise and Beijing raises the bank reserve requirement ratio and approves stock market reforms. Also, speculation mounts over the future of Japan Airlines.

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  LGT urges equity investors to wait for Fed action

  14 Jan 2010 Stock & exchange, Commodities, Bonds, Foreign exchange, Private banking
  The wealth manager advises clients to stay fully invested in equities as governments and central banks will do whatever is necessary to avoid a deflationary or double-dip scenario. It doesn't expect the Fed to tighten in 2010.

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  Debt investors advised to do deeper due diligence

  14 Jan 2010 Bonds, Loans
  Ferrier Hodgson, an accountancy firm specialising in insolvency, notes some investors have wrongly assumed they are senior creditors, and have paid the price. The firm urges them to look beyond standard due diligence.

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  StanChart Private Bank appoints global head of trust

  13 Jan 2010 Market move, Private banking
  Standard Chartered Private Bank has named Mark Jackman as global head of its trust and fiduciary business. Previously he was Asia head for Rothschild Private Banking & Trust.

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  Dubai’s escape from default escalates sukuk uncertainty

  13 Jan 2010 Bonds, Islamic finance
  The state’s property developer received a bailout from Abu Dhabi to spare it from defaulting on its debt. But some would like to have seen the default proceed to throw light on investor rights in sukuk issues. Chris Wright reports.

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  Asia tipped to dominate depositary receipt industry

  13 Jan 2010 Stock & exchange, Nations & economies
  Asian issuers of depositary receipts made up the majority of deals globally last year, a report finds. The region is tipped to continue dominating this year as investors seek to tap into its rebound from the financial crisis.

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  Crude oil prices forecast to be volatile in 2010

  11 Jan 2010 Nations & economies, Commodities, Energy
  Barclays Capital believes oil will trade between US$70 and US$100 a barrel this year. It suspects prices could remain elevated as a restocking cycle begins, although Opec is likely to step in if prices move too quickly.

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  Opinion: why Asia’s airline industry must consolidate

  08 Jan 2010 M&A, Nations & economies
  The move by AirAsia and Jetstar to form an alliance to cut costs is widely regarded as shrewd given the present economic climate. But further consolidation is needed if the ailing industry is to avoid an outbreak of bankruptcies.

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  Credit Suisse Private Banking outlines 2010 upside

  07 Jan 2010 Stock & exchange, Nations & economies, Commodities, Private banking
  The division is retaining an overweight on non-Japan equities, with indices in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea offering the most potential. It also expects the renminbi to appreciate up to 5% during the year.

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  2009 syndicated loan volume falls least in Asia-Pacific

  05 Jan 2010 Loans
  The region saw the smallest drop in volume of any region globally in 2009 to US$484.8 billion, according to Dealogic figures. But exclude Japan, and US dollar-denominated loans accounted for their lowest proportion on record.