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Editorial

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Opinion: Thailand still stained by red shirt recollections

01 Sep 2010 Nations & economies, Editorial
The country is enjoying good GDP growth and a rising stock exchange, but foreign investors look set to stay away until genuine progress is made bridging the gap between the country’s urban and rural populace. It could even mean an early election, writes Chris Wright.
Opinion: HSBC plans a pan-African adventure

24 Aug 2010 M&A, Editorial
The UK-headquartered bank has bid for 70% of South Africa's fourth-largest bank by assets, Nedbank. If it succeeds HSBC looks set to help Nedbank expand across Africa to take advantage of the continent's good economic growth and rising trade links with Asia.
Opinion: China’s RMB changes could foster QDII boom

22 Aug 2010 Editorial, Bonds
The new renminbi bond issue by McDonald's and a foreign exchange liberalisation between China and Malaysia underlines the impact of renminbi liberalisation. These developments should encourage more offshore investment by Chinese corporates, and make the mainland's institutional investors clamour for more overseas assets too.
Opinion: JFE's Indian investment is an astute move

27 Jul 2010 M&A, Nations & economies, Editorial
JFE Holdings announced today (July 27) it was buying a stake in India’s JSW Steel for US$1 billion. The move could prove to be a shrewd and astute investment by Japan’s second-largest steelmaker.
Opinion: AIG’s dithering shows it pays to be decisive

22 Jul 2010 Stock & exchange, Editorial
AIG’s indecision over how best to sell out of its AIA unit may come back to haunt the US insurer now that it has returned to its original plan of floating the life insurance business in Hong Kong.
Opinion: How Henry Cai's move affects Deutsche and UBS

19 Jul 2010 Stock & exchange, Investment banking, Editorial
The China rainmaker has been lured to the German bank after months of wooing. It will hope he can build the Chinese capabilities it needs, while his departure from UBS will put its strength and depth in China coverage to the test.
Opinion: Indian bank merger speculation is misplaced

17 Jul 2010 M&A, Editorial
Indian lenders have enjoyed a surge in share valuations following speculation that the banking sector may start consolidating. But key obstacles are likely to prevent such investor hopes from becoming reality.
Opinion: Avoiding Australia’s bank funding crisis-to-be

16 Jul 2010 Editorial, Bonds
The country’s major lenders have well-documented wholesale funding needs that are only projected to grow in the coming years. The banks need to find new investors and cut their lending books, or the entire nation faces a financial crisis.
Opinion: Bonds would help Beijing with property bubble

15 Jul 2010 Real estate, Editorial, Bonds
Beijing revealed that its GDP growth slowed in the second quarter, as its property measures took effect. But the authorities would do better to build more houses and encourage corporate and municipal bond investments to prevent another housing bubble.
Opinion: China should join rate hike rage

12 Jul 2010 Nations & economies, Editorial
Countries across Asia are beginning to put up their interest rates as overheating and especially inflation become concerns. China is the only major exception, but signs of rising prices are becoming evident on the mainland. It should follow its neighbours.
Opinion: Iron ore swaps offer a unique opportunity

09 Jul 2010 Editorial, Commodities, Broking
Regional demand for iron ore swaps is on the rise, leaving banks and brokers with no time to waste if they want to build their expertise and become market leaders.
Opinion: HK competition bill is crucial for the city

07 Jul 2010 Editorial
After four years of public consultation and drafting, the city’s government finally unveiled its competition bill last week. It’s a positive step, but the law’s effective implementation will prove just as vital.
Opinion: Rudd’s resignation prompts need for diplomacy

24 Jun 2010 Nations & economies, Editorial, Commodities, Energy
The fall of Kevin Rudd as prime minister was partly down to controversy over his resources super profits tax proposal. His successor Julia Gillard and mining firms need to find a compromise, for both their sakes.
Opinion: Beijing must push for a property tax

11 Jun 2010 Real estate, Editorial
Real estate prices in China rose yet again in May, casting doubt on Beijing’s clamp down measures. The government needs to introduce a property tax to truly prevent further increases in property costs.
Opinion: Beijing should strike a bargain with workers

09 Jun 2010 Nations & economies, Editorial
Pockets of workers in China are beginning to strike, unhappy about their miserable working conditions and poor pay while the companies they represent make huge profits. Beijing would do well to heed such warning signs.
Opinion: New PM Kan must emulate Koizumi’s qualities

07 Jun 2010 Nations & economies, Editorial, Bonds
The installment of former finance minister Naoto Kan as prime minister on June 3 provides yet another chance for the country to confront its economic problems.
Opinion: China’s green car subsidy a spur for innovation

02 Jun 2010 Editorial
The country’s announcement of special subsidies for alternative energy cars on June 1 should help the country leap frog over the US in the production of the vehicles.
Opinion: Vietnam must raise rates or see FDI fall

26 May 2010 Nations & economies, Editorial, Foreign exchange
The country’s lower than expected trade deficit was good news, but it is no excuse to abandon further monetary tightening. If Hanoi fails to pursue such measures it could end up eroding foreign investor interest in the nation.
Opinion: Departures leave UBS's ECM dominance at risk

25 May 2010 Investment banking, Editorial
The Swiss bank’s leading position in the Asian equity capital markets is under threat after the departure of senior bankers in recent weeks. The bank needs to reassure its remaining bankers if others are not to follow them out the door.
Opinion: German short selling plan bodes ill for Asia

19 May 2010 Stock & exchange, Editorial
The decision of the country’s market regulator to ban naked short sales on some equities and bonds is ill-conceived and might serve to undermine confidence globally. Asia will not be immune to these ripples.
Opinion: reality bites in Asia private banking

19 May 2010 Editorial, Private banking
Institutions with Asian aspirations have been bragging about plans to bulk up with bankers. But the only way they can meet this requirements is to hire droves of inexperienced staff. Such ambitions reveal a lot about the sales-driven nature of wealth management today.
Opinion: Could the through-train get back into motion?

18 May 2010 Stock & exchange, Editorial
Hong Kong stock exchange operator CEO Charles Li’s comments about making the bourse a derivatives leader to benefit from China’s renminbi internationalisation is just part of the story. It could lead to a resurrection of the through-train investor concept.
Opinion: Asia must cure water-shortage headache

03 May 2010 Editorial, Commodities
Governments in the region will need to consider creative solutions to tackle water scarcity in the face of growing populations and dwindling supply. They must encourage new infrastructure and pay attention to pollution.
Opinion: is CLSA right to forego cherished autonomy?

30 Apr 2010 M&A, Editorial, Broking
CLSA’s reported willingness to tie up with Citic Securities reveal that the brokerage values further access to Chinese investors more than its long-cherished independence. It is a gamble that could backfire.
Opinion: end in sight for China property rally

20 Apr 2010 Real estate, Nations & economies, Editorial
Beijing has upped efforts to rein in the country’s surging property market, prompting a steep fall in the Shanghai Composite Index. Given its determination to avoid social discontent, the new reality is stagnant or falling prices.
Opinion: Zhang’s defection unlikely to trigger a trend

20 Apr 2010 Investment banking, Editorial, Market move
While Lee Zhang’s move from Deutsche Bank to ICBC marks a milestone, it is not seen as the start of a trend. It better reflects the ambition of state-lenders to play catch-up and hints at their willingness to pay top salaries.
Opinion: why Bank of Korea should raise rates

15 Apr 2010 Nations & economies, Editorial
The country’s central bank surprised few when it left its benchmark interest rates untouched, yet again, during the April 9 policy meeting. However, that may no longer be appropriate policy.
Opinion: prudence will pay in India’s overseas quest

15 Apr 2010 M&A, Editorial
Economic recovery in India has spurred a phalanx of firms to rejoin the overseas acquisition trail, this time focusing on emerging markets rather than the rich world. But there are inherent risks, and familiar accusations of overpaying won’t help.
Opinion: Hong Kong must guard against complacency

14 Apr 2010 Nations & economies, Editorial
Warming cross-strait ties between Beijing and Taipei pose a credible threat to Hong Kong’s position as China’s favoured son. The city must combat its complacency and work to reaffirm its place as the premier centre for offshore renminbi transactions.
Opinion: doubts dog Essar’s bold IPO bid

11 Apr 2010 Stock & exchange, Editorial, Energy
Essar Energy’s plan to raise US$2.5 billion in a London listing is a brave one. But while overseas appetite to tap India's growth is undoubted, concerns remain about the company’s governance and struggling recent Indian IPOs.
Opinion: Taiwan chipmaker troubles are not yet over

30 Mar 2010 Editorial
Despite recovering from its worst ever downturn during the global financial crisis, the island’s semiconductor industry face further challenges ahead due to higher costs and a slow adoption of much-needed advanced technology.
Opinion: Nomura must show cultural commitment

19 Mar 2010 Investment banking, Editorial
While promoting Jesse Bhattal to its executive board was a smart move by Nomura, the bank has to demonstrate that this is the start of a broader cultural shift.
Opinion: US must leave renminbi policy alone

17 Mar 2010 Nations & economies, Editorial, Foreign exchange
China’s slow and steady approach to appreciating its currency is the right one, and no amount of external pressure will encourage Beijing to revaluate the renminbi before the time is right.
Opinion: India must buy into investor diversification

15 Mar 2010 Stock & exchange, Editorial
Last week’s move to allow Indian investors to trade US futures contracts is a positive step for the development of the nation's capital markets. But the government must do more to encourage investors to diversify portfolios.
Opinion: China right to take slow road on futures

10 Mar 2010 Stock & exchange, Nations & economies, Editorial
Trading in stock index futures is set to start next month in China after years of preparation. Investors say the minimum deposit of Rmb500,000 is too onerous, but the regulator’s push for a high entry barrier is the right one.
Opinion: why China Mobile must come clean

09 Mar 2010 M&A, Stock & exchange, Nations & economies, Editorial
The world’s largest mobile telecoms operator should divulge the real reasons behind its plan to buy a stake in Shanghai Pudong Development Bank or risk seeing billions more being wiped off its market capitalisation.
Opinion: India’s budget should keep growth on track

05 Mar 2010 Nations & economies, Editorial
While India’s budget could have been more aggressive in removing fiscal stimulus, it does offer a broad set of reforms, disciplined spending and a commitment to more infrastructure development. It will keep most people happy.
Opinion: why Asia is abuzz over AIA sale

03 Mar 2010 M&A, Editorial
UK life assurer Prudential plans to raise US$21 billion in a rights offering to help it to buy Hong Kong-based AIA. Whether the deal goes through or not, it is set to have widespread ramifications for Asia’s insurance sector.
Opinion: India must try harder in race for energy assets

24 Feb 2010 Editorial, Commodities, Energy
Asian state firms have been vying for oil and gas assets abroad, notably China and South Korea, to reduce dependence on imports. Now India has joined the fray, but its firms need to improve their public relations.
Opinion: China and India must open their markets

12 Feb 2010 Stock & exchange, Editorial, Bonds
Asia has recovered strongly from the global financial crisis, but China and India must develop their domestic capital markets and allow in more international investors if their economies are to reach their full potential.
Opinion: Mongolia must push to privatise

12 Feb 2010 Stock & exchange, Nations & economies, Editorial
The country’s financial markets remain vastly undeveloped, to the detriment of its economy and population. The government must modernise the country's capital markets and privatise more state-owned enterprises if it is not to be left behind by the rest of Asia.
Opinion: how Indonesia can reach its ratings goal

28 Jan 2010 Nations & economies, Editorial, Bonds
The country has set itself the task of returning to investment grade status in three years. But it needs to answer people’s concerns about transparency first if it is to overcome the many obstacles in its path.
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.
Editorial: casinos raise Singapore’s financial stakes

20 Jan 2010 Nations & economies, Editorial
The creation of two casino and entertainment complexes in the city-state will benefit its economy, property valuations and asset prices initially, but could make the country even more cyclical. Gamblers beware.
Opinion: Beijing was right to derail the through-train

16 Jan 2010 Stock & exchange, Editorial
Scrapping the “through train” plans that would have allowed domestic investors to buy Hong Kong-listed stocks directly is a positive. It shows that when it comes to China’s nascent financial market, it pays to be patient.

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