Structured products
Investors concerned over German banks' exposure to southern Europe
Investors and economists have identified German banks’ exposure to Europe’s indebted peripheral sovereigns as a potential risk to state finances.
HK structured product providers warm to 'cooling off' period
The Securities and Futures Commission's new rules will force dealers to offer secondary pricing and give investors a five-day option to back out of longer-dated trades
Daiwa names Kan head of derivatives structuring
The Japanese bank continues to build up its equity and derivatives operation in Hong Kong.
Tricorona purchase aimed at bolstering Barclays' CER portfolio
Barclays' $143 million bid for Tricorona should provide the bank with value all along the emissions supply chain
Credit spread widening fails to generate buying interest
Despite spreads widening last month to more attractive levels, investors remain cautious on expectations of a prolonged period of volatility for the credit markets.
Maple bonds may offer sweet spot for credit investors: Simon Ballard column
Canada’s financial markets proved resilient to the credit crisis and debt issued in Canadian dollars should garner strong support from investors.
The true source of liquidity in financial markets: Caveat Emptor column
Liquidity – its origins and effects – have long exercised investors, but one thing is certain: banks are not the main source of liquidity, despite what they would have us believe.
Redwood reopens US non-agency RMBS market
Redwood Trust’s jumbo RMBS issuance – the first US non-agency deal for two years – met with strong demand. But will that be enough to entice other private issuers to tap the market?
New hope for insurance-linked securities
Since the financial crisis the insurance-linked securities market has been squeezed into a tight corridor of issuance with only natural catastrophe bonds seeing any traction – a blow for a market that pre-2008 appeared to be on the cusp of developing…
How to pick crisis-proof credits
The credit bull run of 2009 is a footnote in history. But discerning fund managers are finding there is still value to be had in credit; the challenge is picking the right names.
Indian corporates frustrate international bond investors by sticking to domestic rupee markets
International asset managers are keen to gain exposure to India, but just how keen is India to court foreign investors? With local companies able to fund themselves adequately in the domestic market, investors may struggle to find suitable offshore bond…
US introduces Covered Bond Act in bid to harness mortgage financing
With concerns hanging over the US securitisation market, some industry participants are pushing the case of covered bonds as an alternative. The US Covered Bonds Act introduced in March represents a step forward, but can investors accept the quirks of…
Eastern Europe credit investors turn their backs on the Balkans and head for CIS, Poland and Czech Rep
Events in the Eurozone have put the brakes on eastern Europe’s strong recovery from the financial crisis, but bond investors continue to identify opportunities in the region, particularly amongst the larger economies.
High yield may suffer after government stimulus withdrawal: Jeff Burch profile
The co-head of credit at Investec Asset Management says double-B companies may struggle if economic growth stalls after governments pull the plug on their stimulus measures.
Product review: Meteor's FTSE 100 kickout
Meteor is offering a standard kickout based on the top 10 UK stocks that promises a 17.5% annual return if eight of the stocks are above their initial level. The six-year product is issued by BNP Paribas and puts capital at risk if the three worst…