Economics

Bursting point: A deflating time for US housing market

The US housing market has come down to earth with a bump, but the landing has not been as hard as many investors had feared. There are even some positives to be gleaned from the recent strong performance of mortgage-backed securities and the success of…

Depending on Russia

Europe's increasing dependence on Russia for gas supplies throws up new risks that must be assessed. Understanding political risk is key, but the biggest risk to supply could be the lack of investment in the sector, finds Roderick Bruce

GMO's emerging market high-flyers

Bill Nemerever and Tom Cooper, co-managers of GMO's emerging markets debt portfolio, have made their names sourcing cheap debt in unusual locations. Shunning roadshows and local currencies, they barely even travel to the countries they invest in. Dalia…

Talkingpoint - 2007 outlook

Change is in the air for 2007. A deterioration in credit quality and concomitant rise in default rates may presage a tough year. We asked five leading market participants for their outlook

An environmental concern

Structured product providers are rushing to create environment-themed investments, with notes linked to biofuels, clean energy and the water industry emerging over the past few months. John Ferry reports

Oil prices: Risk of a fall?

Consensus forecasts predict lower oil prices next year, although a minority of analysts, sceptical that demand will fall, expect higher 2007 prices. Beyond 2008 the supply picture could be much tighter than generally thought, some experts say. Stella…

Trading opinions

Energy risk professionals from all over Europe gathered in London last month at the Energy Risk Europe conference to debate the hottest topics facing the industry today. The Energy Risk team bring you some highlights

Upgrading the rating process

As the debate rages over the usefulness of credit ratings, Moody's unveils a set of credit risk indicators derived from market movements. Will 'market implied ratings' silence the agencies' critics?

Upgrading the rating process

As the debate rages over the usefulness of credit ratings, Moody's unveils a set of credit risk indicators derived from market movements. Will 'market implied ratings' silence the agencies' critics? Nikki Marmery investigates

A quiet revolution

Governments have traditionally kept their limited use of derivatives close to their chests. But some sovereigns are now broadening their mandates to encompass a wider array of risks and they are increasingly turning to the derivatives markets. By Navroz…