Feature
'X' marks the spot
In a little over two years, DB x-trackers has captured an impressive 17% share of Europe's ETF market. With an existing portfolio of more than 100 products, the provider now plans to expand its offering in Asia while developing new product types such as…
The trace race
The concept of traceability has been a great success in the food industry. Would its adoption by the structured products industry be the quickest way to restore confidence in European markets and help a shattered banking sector? Participants at last…
Preaching protection
Continuing a series of interviews with national regulators about structured products, we talk to Maria Jose Gomez Yubero, head of investor protection at the Comision Nacional del Mercado de Valores, about the fallout from the Lehman Brothers bankruptcy,…
Getting it right
Special Report: Foreign exchange - Corporate hedging
The push to CCP
Feature
The fast track
Modern trading and risk technology systems are large and complex, but banks are becoming increasingly wary of running into implementation difficulties. As a result, technology vendors are packaging their systems so they are quicker and simpler to get up…
Return of the linker
Inflation
Blossoming interest
Foreign exchange derivatives trading levels suffered declines this year as hedge funds and other players partly stepped back from the market. But the asset class remains liquid and is attracting a new breed of market participants. Hardeep Dhillon reports
Firefighting to fire prevention
Risk Japan 2009
Crude but credible
Regulators are warming to the idea of introducing a leverage ratio to limit the excessive build-up of assets on bank balance sheets. But they face an uphill battle to create an internationally consistent measure that addresses differences in accounting…
Struggling to survive
Cover story
Safe haven
Gold has been a favourite with investors looking for a safe haven since last year's turbulence began. But will this persist in 2009, or will the precious metal start to lose its shine as a hedging option? Pauline McCallion finds out
Strength from swaps
Asian nations are becoming increasingly assertive in co-ordinating financial stability efforts in the Asia Pacific, notably via a raft of new swap agreements between the region's largest economies. Are these efforts having the desired impact? Christopher…
Less than zero
A drop in inflation expectations last year sent dealers scrambling to hedge their exposures to 0% floors embedded in structured products, causing a massive dislocation in the inflation swaps market. Have dealers now covered their exposures? By Alexander…
Getting the cycle to work
Regulators are keen for banks to take a through-the-cycle approach, as opposed to point-in-time, when calculating bank capital. But how are banks responding to the change? By Duncan Wood
Pressure points
Regulators released the results of US bank stress tests last month, forcing 10 banks to raise a collective $74.6 billion in additional capital. But can market participants take any real comfort from the results? Mark Pengelly finds out
Counterparty maze
Regulators in the US and Europe are evaluating the concept of a central trade repository for over-the-counter derivatives as a means of increasing transparency and allowing better detection of systemic weaknesses. But will they be able to overcome the…
Sell suits
A number of lawsuits have emerged across the globe, with disgruntled corporates alleging they were sold unsuitable derivatives products and were unaware of the risks involved. Will changes to bank selling practices emerge as a result? By Christopher…
Net benefit
Meant to minimise counterparty risk, the idea of clearing for credit derivatives has been riddled with questions from the outset. But new research suggests the plans might actually increase counterparty exposures. Mark Pengelly investigates
Single banking regulator plan for the US inches closer
Editor's blog
Barclays reissues target growth plan
Barclays Wealth has reissued the Target Growth Plan, which is designed to provide exposure to the FTSE 100 index and offers a potential return of 50% at maturity. Barclays aims to raise £5-10 million on the plan.
Dow Jones launches recovery play index
Dow Jones has launched a new index of US companies which are expected to benefit from measures implemented by the government to aid economic recovery. The Dow Jones US Economic Stimulus Index includes 50 of the largest and most liquid companies from six…