Free content

Qatari decision makers have worked hard over recent months to reassure the country’s partners and foreign investors about the country’s economic resilience, in the face of unprecedented strains created by the blockade imposed on June 5th by Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain

The worst nightmare for bankers is an absurdly demanding client. But throw in a teenage tantrum and things go from bad to worse.

There’s a spring back in the steps of markets businesses, despite a slump in trading conditions from last year, and record low volatility levels. But making money in the new world order isn’t about a return to the leverage-juiced fixed income flows of the pre-crisis world. GlobalCapital spoke to Olivier Osty, BNP Paribas’ executive head of global markets about what it takes today.

Corporate bond spreads have been on a steady grind tighter for around six months. Despite geopolitical surprises and much debate around interest rate rises and tapering of quantitative easing, the market has rarely been knocked off its path. But is now the time to worry more?

KfW has joined the select group of capital markets institutions to have issued a security using blockchain technology. Though only a proof of concept, the transaction highlighted the fact that, without some kind of distributed ledger cash system, blockchain-based issuance has little to offer. If the technology is to realize its promise, central banks must weigh in and provide a solution.

Last week saw the revival of a once glorious tradition; the spurious big bank M&A rumour. The trigger was an article suggesting UniCredit had approached the German government about buying Commerzbank, which was followed, in short order, by a suggestion that BNP Paribas was the preferred suitor.

Market participants have lauded India’s latest efforts to encourage bond and equity issuance from real estate and infrastructure trusts, but they should curb their enthusiasm. What the sector really needs is not looser regulation, but a fundamental shift in investor thinking — which may be the hardest challenge of all.

In the latest Clawback, columnist Philippe Espinasse puts the Hong Kong Stock Exchange’s (HKEX) recent consultation paper on capital raisings by listed issuers under the microscope.

The FIG Idea studies the form for bank capital's most important competition of the year — set to run this October (or perhaps not).

A leading Chinese think tank recommends regulators loosen control over the renminbi’s’ exchange rate, the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) calls for the opening up of the domestic agricultural commodity futures market, and China International Payment System (CIPS) adds four indirect participants.

Rating agency S&P downgraded China's long-term sovereign rating from AA- to A+ on Thursday, stating the high levels of credit growth pose growing risks to the economy. In this lowdown, we touch on some of the key issues raised by S&P and the market reactions to the decision.

Net FX sales by Chinese bank are down 75% month-on-month in August, an advisor to the People’s Bank of China urges push for renminbi internationalisation as the currency strengthens, and Portugal hires banks for its first Panda bond issuance.