Structured products
Cesr joins calls for more derivatives trade reporting
The Committee of European Securities Regulators (Cesr) called this morning for post-trade reporting on several classes of derivatives, including asset-backed securities (ABS) and collateralised debt obligations (CDO).
High correlations spur interest in CCDS
Interest in using contingent credit default swaps (CCDS) as a speculative tool is being fuelled by high levels of cross-asset class correlations, according to some market participants.
Morgan Stanley CDO repack designed to test investor appetite
Morgan Stanley's offering of a repackaged cash collateralised debt obligation (CDO) is designed to test market appetite for this type of risk, said a source familiar with the deal.
French power supply problems could hit UK
Unusually high temperatures last month put a third of France's nuclear power stations out of action, forcing the country to import electricity from the UK. According to Chris Bowden, CEO of energy and carbon advisors Utilyx, the UK may face similar…
Definition of 'standardised' OTC derivatives will be broad, says Geithner
Full regulation of all over-the-counter derivatives will use a broad and flexible definition of 'standardised' OTC contracts while regulators will seek to crack down on end-users seeking to customise trades to escape central clearing, US Treasury…
Euroclear to launch same-day securities settlement in Asia
International central securities depository Euroclear Bank plans to offer same-day cross-border securities settlement in four Asian markets - Australia, Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore - in August, stealing a march on rival Clearstream, which has similar…
Anglo-Irish CDS widen on buyback plans
The cost of credit protection on Anglo Irish Bank soared this week, rising to 679.1 basis points (bp) from 628.9 bp on July 3, as the bank announced plans to buy back billions of pounds and euros in Tier 1 and Tier 2 securities.
US Wrap: Credit Suisse launches three accelerated growth products
Credit Suisse has launched three new accelerated growth products in the US market covering US equity, emerging market equity and indirectly the price of oil. The emerging market equity note has the longest maturity at two years. It offers exposure to the…
Singapore's MAS bans 10 retail structured note distributors
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has banned 10 financial institutions from selling structured notes, after their clients lost S$401 million by investing in Lehman-linked structured credit products.
Government initiates $3bn renewables programme
The US Treasury and Department of Energy today announced today a $3 billion funding programme for the development of renewable energy projects, as well as publishing application guidance for obtaining funds.
TriOptima tear-ups cut CDS notional by $9 trillion
Swedish technology company TriOptima eliminated $9 trillion in notional outstanding from the credit default swap (CDS) market in the first half of 2009, the firm announced on July 9.
US Wrap: Back with reverse convertibles after holiday lull
The US market sprung back into action after the Independence Day break with seven reverse convertibles from ABN Amro. Some more unusual reference stocks were offered up, among them Baidu, the major Chinese search engine, and Weyerhaeuser, the sustainable…
US PPIP toxic securities scheme launches, fund managers named
The US Treasury's scheme to purchase toxic mortgage-backed securities was officially launched yesterday with the unveiling of the asset managers charged with investing public funds, while officials sought to quell claims the scheme has been dramatically…
HSBC strategy chief warns of dangers of 'over-regulation'
Regulators must be careful not to damage the profitability of the financial services sector by excessively increasing capital and liquidity requirements, according to Antonio Simoes, group director of strategy at HSBC.
Cebs publishes guidelines on liquidity buffers
Financial institutions must hold substantial buffers of liquid assets such as cash to enable them to get through a period of at least one month of liquidity stress, according to new guidelines published by the Committee of European Banking Supervisors …
CDS: Spreads widen again
Credit default swap 5-year mid-levels for structured products issuers (July 6)
UK Treasury questioned over Lehman structured products response
The UK Treasury was grilled by a shadow minister today over its inaction for investors who have lost money from Lehman Brothers backed structured products at a Private Members Debate held in parliament about the marketing of the investments.
Q&A: Ceiops' secretary-general supports EC reforms
In an interview with Risk , Carlos Montalvo Rebuelta, secretary-general of the Committee of European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Supervisors (Ceiops), backed the European Commission's plans to replace it with a new supervisory authority that…
Almost all SIV assets now sold off, Fitch says
The structured investment vehicles (SIVs) at the heart of the credit crisis have now disposed of 95% of their $400 billion in assets, according to analysis released today by credit rating agency Fitch Ratings.
UPDATED: CFTC plans speculation clampdown
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) will hold public hearings in July and August to discuss the need for federal position limits to be imposed on energy futures traders.