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Sanctions on a country’s sovereign debt do not typically herald a windfall of fee-earning bond market business in that country, but Russia may prove an exception. If the sovereign distorts prices in the domestic market, Russian corporates and banks may look to the international market to borrow instead.

Italy is a country of fast cars and has some some terrific companies for investors to invest in, but buyers must always keep in mind that political instability is as quintessentially Italian — and unpredictable — as an Alfa Romeo. It doesn't mean they cannot enjoy the ride, however.

China unveiled a new benchmark rate, the loan prime rate (LPR), for loans this week. While hailed as a groundbreaking step towards making its benchmark lending rate more market-driven, the mechanism for determining the LPR in fact grants the central bank more control over the country’s interest rates.

In this round-up, the People’s Bank of China announced a new benchmark rate for loans, a reported 1.7 million people held a rally in Hong Kong on Sunday and the issuance of Chinese onshore credit bonds climbed in July

The Covered Bond Awards 2019 poll closes today and with only a few votes splitting the top contenders for several award categories, its not too late to make a difference.

In this round-up, China’s money and credit growth disappointed, industrial production growth plunged and Hong Kong Stock Exchange posted lower trading fees but higher listing fees for July.

In this round-up, the Office of the US Trade Representative postponed imposing 10% tariffs on selected Chinese imports, protesters paralysed Hong Kong airport for two days and Shanghai said it would allow foreign employees to receive stock options on the A-share market.

China’s securities firms are about to be subject to an alarming rule that will limit their capacity to provide independent research. The decision to grade firms on their ability to manage the reputation of China and guide public opinion is a big step back for the country’s financial system.

The protests in Hong Kong continue to spiral out of control. Hundreds of thousands of people have taken to the streets. Residents have got used to the sight of armed response units running past their windows. The airport has ground to a halt. Was it really sensible to plan a business trip in the middle of all this?

Burford Capital, the litigation funder, is under pressure over how it accounts for an obscure type of asset and how it finances its business using debt. In many respects it is a unique case, but it is a debacle fuelled by quantitative easing. With more of that on the way, pushing investors into ever more esoteric asset classes in the quest for yield, there will be plenty more businesses under scrutiny.

Recession fears are rising again as GDP slows, global trade tensions rise and overvalued stock markets become more volatile. Big tech should take advantage of high price to earnings ratios to raise equity capital now and to prepare for tougher days ahead.

The syndicated loan market is undergoing a transformation. Borrowers are growing in sophistication and artificial intelligence is creeping into the syndication process. It's time lenders faced a reality check: get with the programme, or get gone.