Americas

The IMF downgraded slightly its global growth forecasts for this year and the next but said the main risks have receded

Flows of capital to emerging markets will increase this year; equity markets will benefit the most, while bonds will stagnate, the IIF predicts

Concerns about a rise in protectionism in the BRIC economies and developed markets run high; smaller countries are seen as more open

This year is one in which investors should take more risk in emerging markets, especially in equities, strategists at HSBC say

Commonwealth Bank of Australia is ready to launch the first Australian covered bond of the year, after mandating banks for a benchmark US dollar deal that an official close to the deal told The Cover was likely to come on Wednesday. The Australian covered market is set to be the fastest growing this year, with Fitch predicting up to $37bn of supply.

Emerging markets, which have “kept trade moving” and “commodity prices afloat” during the financial crisis are again a source of risk

The recent Fed minutes signaling a reversal of the money-printing policy should not worry emerging markets investors, analysts say

Canada Mortgage Housing Corp’s (CMHC) new covered bond guidelines have a host of investor friendly attributes but will also raise credit and market risk in borrower programmes, according to Moody’s.

Canada Mortgage Housing Corp (CMHC) has published the final details of Canada’s covered bond framework, allowing issuers to begin building new programmes for a return to market in 2013. Though uninsured mortgages are prohibited, in-depth disclosure requirements should go down well with investors and stand borrowers looking at SEC and 3(a)(2) issuance in good stead.

The bullish outlook for emerging markets for 2013 is supported by a “return from the abyss” for the eurozone and the US housing recovery

Economic growth in emerging markets has “accelerated a little” in the fourth quarter, an economic research consultancy’s data show

A new index measuring the strengths and weaknesses of various energy systems has revealed surprises, with some emerging markets scoring high