Sovereign debt crisis
Commission unveils contentious Eurobond proposals
European Commission unveils three options for Eurobonds in bid to restore stability in Europe; analysts say the measures are politically unviable and ineffective
EU proposals for credit ratings rules require close monitoring by hedge funds
Draft language could affect the way hedge funds perform their own internal credit analysis
Greek reversion to drachma easier than euro conversion, say analysts
If Greece were to leave the eurozone it would have to establish a new currency in record time; analysts explain how the process would be simpler today due to technological advances
Political crisis in Europe brings volatility back to forex options
Volatility returned to eurodollar last week, as forex traders priced further downside risk into euro options
Italy reaches crisis point as bond yields soar
Announcement that Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi will resign does little to calm markets; bond yields hit euro area record high, raising the stakes for a potential default
Flowers defends MF Global as a ‘prudently run’ securities firm, despite Chapter 11 filing
JC Flowers head says reliance on short-term funding is a weakness of whole securities industry – not just MF Global. He adds a worsening eurozone crisis could lead to investment opportunities in troubled banks
Quant Congress Europe: Quants urged to ditch equilibrium models
Equilibrium models do not represent real markets and need to be replaced with models that take explicit account of real capital flows, says Alex Langnau
CDS: not dead yet
CDS: not dead yet
Dealers predict CVA-CDS loop will create sovereign volatility
A recipe for disaster?
Credit Suisse and UBS on Basel 2.5: Half a world away
Half a world away
Europe's democracy deficit contributing to crisis
The democracy deficit
CVA desks to keep buying sovereign CDSs – even if they never pay out
Even if CDS contracts are not triggered in Greek restructuring, Basel III's CVA charge ensures the market will live on - but episode raises fresh questions about design of capital framework, dealers say
Eurozone deal brings relief in forex spot and options
Risk sentiment appeared to make a comeback in forex markets yesterday, as options volatility fell from record highs and the euro rallied in response to the deal announced after the Euro Summit in Brussels
UK FSA 'lacks interest' in dialogue with industry over FCA
Industry insiders have warned a UK Treasury Select Committee hearing that the FSA has shown a distinct lack of interest in dialogue over the FCA
Economic depression is world's top risk, says Towers Watson ranking
The global financial environment continues to show imbalances, and is not in a good position to withstand shocks, says Tim Hodgson
Fink: Billions could flow into preferreds as banks recapitalise
BlackRock chief calls for perpetual preferred shares to be counted towards Tier I capital at Europe's banks
Regulatory experts say EU's naked CDS ban is ill-judged
The new rules are "another instance of the authorities blaming the wrong people and imposing the wrong policies", says Cass's Ian Marsh
FX Week Asia: Corporate hedgers rattled by volatility
Tumultuous foreign exchange market in September has left some hedging strategies in disarray and led to more timely exposure monitoring in one treasury department, say corporate treasurers speaking at FX Week Asia
Energy Risk Europe: eurozone sovereign debt fears could exacerbate oil supply problems, says Currie
Fears that the sovereign debt crisis will lead to global financial shock is causing oil producers to reduce inventory and cut back investment – creating a potential supply problem in future, warns Goldman Sachs commodities research head
Video: Banks can arbitrage central bank liquidity provision
A conflict between new liquidity regulations under Basel III and existing central bank operations leaves a gap that banks may be able to exploit, warns financial stability expert
IMF modelling work on liquidity risk points to capital hike, says Jobst
Recent analysis by the International Monetary Fund indicates that banks in the US need to raise capital to cover systemic liquidity risk threats
Lloyds and RBS CDS spreads steady despite downgrade
The decision by Moody’s to downgrade Lloyds and RBS fails to spark surge in CDS spreads, while other European banks finish more or less unchanged on the week despite continuing woes in the eurozone
Eurozone crisis boosts September spot volumes
Falling confidence in the eurozone and the flight to and from commodities-based currencies has resulted in record volumes, platforms report
Trichet bows out with new bond purchase scheme
Jean-Claude Trichet unveils a new covered bond purchase scheme; ECB governing council also agreed to hold interest rates and support Jörg Asmussen for governing council post