Japan
Asia plays catch-up on CCPs
While European and US regulators blaze a trail in over-the-counter derivatives reform, Asian supervisors have been much more circumspect. Some are now exploring the use of central clearing but many are still wrestling with how best to implement it. Matt…
FVC Custom Indexes
In Europe, the income index is the best performer over the past six years when compared with the accelerated and protected variants. Not so in Japan, where the accelerated index tops the trio of indexes as best performing. In both regions, the protected…
Sovereign ratings on UK, US, Japan under fire from credit investors
After Greece, Portugal and Spain suffered rating downgrades in April due to escalating fiscal problems, investors ask if the same standards are being applied to advanced economies.
Now you PRDC them...
Power-reverse dual-currency notes have represented something of a Trojan horse for dealers. The hybrid structures have been popular for more than a decade among a wide range of Japanese investors, from regional banks to pension funds. But now the strain…
A reversal of power
Investor demand for power reverse dual currency structures has fallen off a cliff as these once high coupon-paying instruments have morphed into zero coupon bonds with lock-in periods of up to 30 years. Issuers have also incurred significant costs. Is…
Fair-value freeze in Japan
Corporates and financial institutions have long awaited the introduction of the internationally accepted fair-value option to hedge accounting in Japan. They believe a fair-value option would allow more institutions to hedge their risks, particularly in…
Fund managers becoming bullish on hedge funds
Fund managers have largely bullish views on hedge fund investments over the next five years in a sign that confidence is returning to the market.
China seen overtaking US as biggest oil importer in 2-3 years
“In two to three years, China will be the largest global importer of crude oil,” Jorge Montepeque, global director of market reports for Platts, said at today’s Global Outlook for Oil event during IP Week.
Now you PRDC them...
Power-reverse dual-currency notes proved a bonanza for dealers when markets were tame, but risk-managing the product has become a drain on resources and cash in recent years. As a result, some firms have decided to exit the market. Mark Pengelly…
Markets shaken by emissions trading certificate hackers
Market participants are worried they could be holding fraudulent European Union carbon allowances (EUA), after computer hackers launched an alleged phishing attack on the German Emissions Trading Authority (DEHSt).
Limits on leverage
Dealers have rushed to hook up their foreign exchange platforms to e-brokers offering foreign exchange leverage services to Japanese consumers collectively known as ‘Mrs Watanabe’. But new rules threaten to spoil the party. How are dealers responding?…
CentralBanking.com panel: it’s too soon to exit
Charles Goodhart, Paul Mortimer-Lee, Lucrezia Reichlin and Gabriel Stein concur that dangers are greater from exiting too early than too late but warn that asset prices risk becoming over inflated
Japan and Singapore move towards carbon trading
Japan and Singapore both announced steps towards establishing domestic markets for carbon trading this week.
JGBis continue to climb as Japan extends buyback programme
Japan’s ministry of finance extends buyback programme to December as bonds improve