Foreign exchange
Risk amplifiers will endanger credit market, report warns
High levels of speculation, leverage and securitisation mean the credit market is riskier than it appears, according to research published this month by the UK independent financial research company Clear Capital.
Agencies seek comment on new proposed supervisory guidance for Basel II
US agencies issue more guidance on Basel II
CME launches hurricane index
The Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) is expanding its weather derivatives product range with the launch of CME-Carvill Hurricane Index futures and options on futures contracts.
Deutsche Börse expands in Asia
Deutsche Börse has expanded its Asian index business. It has added to the DAX Global Index Series with the release of the Dax Global Asia and has also signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with China Securities Index Company.
Barclays Capital hires head of emerging markets
UK investment bank Barclays Capital has appointed Nicholas Moreira as managing director and head of emerging markets equity derivatives trading. Based in London, Moreira will report to Dixit Joshi, head of equity derivatives.
Nomura launches Japan Strategy 80% Protected Fund
Nomura has launched a new structured fund linked to the Nomura Japan Strategy Index. The Japan Strategy 80% Protected Fund, aimed at both retail and institutional investors, is Nomura’s first Ucits-III fund to offer access to the growth potential of…
Susan Schmidt Bies resigns
Susan Schmidt Bies has resigned as a member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
BarCap structuring second collateralised forex deal
Barclays Capital is planning another bespoke collateralised foreign exchange obligation (CFXO), worth €20–€50 million, after closing its first at the end of 2006.
Banks call for third way to implement Basel II
US banks want a third way for Basel II implementation
Merrill Lynch launches volatility arbitrage index
Merrill Lynch has launched an equity volatility arbitrage index which seeks to cheaply replicate a popular hedge fund strategy.
Innovation to come from custom indexes, Axa’s Cohen-Bengio says
Index providers and financial institutions should work together to build custom indexes and thereby secure the future innovation of the structured products markets. That was the message delivered by Denis Cohen-Bengio, director of investment solutions at…
Credit Suisse goes online
Swiss investment bank Credit Suisse has expanded its e-commerce platform for trading of structured products. Following trials in Europe, US and Asia, the Securities Network platform is now available to Credit Suisse clients across the globe.
Energy & Commodity Rankings
Energy : Leader of the pack Metals : UBS takes top metals spot
S&P: CLOs will lead European CDO growth in 2007
The European surge in cashflow collateralised loan obligations (CLO) will continue into 2007, according to a report by Standard and Poor’s (S&P).
S&P buys Goldman's commodity index
Standard & Poor's has acquired the Goldman Sachs Commodity Index (GSCI) as well as two equity indexes. The GSCI is widely considered to be the benchmark for commodity indexes and serves as the underlying for many structured products. It will be renamed…
S&P buys Goldman Sachs Commodity Index
Standard & Poor's has acquired the Goldman Sachs Commodity Index (GSCI) as well as two equity indexes. The GSCI is widely considered the benchmark for commodity indexes and serves as the underlying for many structured products. It will be renamed the S&P…
A Ratings Quandary
The US Securities and Exchange Commission is set to hammer out several key provisions of the US Credit Rating Agency Reform Act, intended to increase transparency in the ratings industry. But some analysts are concerned the legislation could go too far.
With a bang or a fizzle?
With the deadline having passed for submitting Basel II risk model applications to national regulators, Europe's financial institutions should be well on their way to compliance. But the reality is that many are still struggling to implement the new…
Pension cash invested in commodity indexes rallies oil price
Pension funds are increasingly investing in commodity indexes to diversify their portfolios, according to a recent Lehman Brothers report.
Hedge funds are "disasters waiting to happen", says report
At least 30% of hedge funds have poor risk management that makes them "disasters waiting to happen", according to a report from consultancy Deloitte & Touche.
Barclays looks East
Barclays has launched a new product linked to the performance of the Eastern European equity market. The five year deposit gains exposure to the market through the CECEEUR Index.
A View on 2007: By Interwoven’s Jos Stoop
What will 2007 hold for structured products? In the final part of our series of thoughts on the subject we invited Jos Stoop, general manager of financial services solutions, at US risk technology firm Interwoven, to provide his predicitions. Look out…