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Deutsche launches credit index fund
Deutsche Bank launched the Xavex Dynamic Bond Portfolio Fund today. The new credit fund is index-based and indirectly uses the German bank’s over-the-counter (OTC) trading desk for hedging.
Merrill makes more key FX hires
Merrill Lynch has made another number of key hires to its FX team following the appointment of Michael deSa as global head of FX late last year. The US investment bank has lured Adam Kreysar, the highly rated global head of FX options at UBS, as its new…
Chaos reigns at new hedge fund
London-based hedge fund manager HED Capital Management is set to launch a new $200 million fund, dubbed the Beaufort Chaos Fund, by June. HED claims its chaos theory-based strategy obviates the need for derivatives.
Credit Markets Update: Merrill spreads hit as disclosure fears grow
The cost of five-year protection on Merrill Lynch's senior debt rose a sharp 16 basis points today, due to ongoing investigations into conflicts of interest between its equity research and corporate finance divisions.
Rates Markets Update: US swaps widen on Middle East fears
The US interest rate swaps market broke a trend this week as spreads slowly widened after several weeks of consistent narrowing. Five-year dollar swap spreads widened by 5 basis points to 62bp over Treasuries in the same maturity, while 10-year spreads…
Default levels worst on record, says S&P
The first quarter of 2002 was the worst ever recorded for corporate defaults, said rating agency Standard & Poor’s (S&P).
Credit Markets Update: HVB spreads up on Kirch and other concerns
Subordinate protection costs on Munich-based HypoVereinsbank (HVB) surged 12 basis points briefly today, as it became the latest financial institution dragged into Kirch Media's bankruptcy. Within 30 minutes of trading, senior protection on HVB traded at…
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Credit Markets Update: Telecoms hit as Qwest, Nortel contagion spreads
Credit default swaps on Qwest Communications rose to 900bp/950bp over Libor in the five-year, with a significant inversion on the swap curve, according to credit derivatives traders in New York and London. Qwest's problems led to default protection costs…
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Convertible bond decline could impact credit derivatives
Falling valuations in the European convertible bond market during the last few months could lead to a decline in credit default swap values, as convertible investors seek to unwind their hedged positions.
Fannie and Freddie’s hedging rockets in 2001
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s first detailed disclosure of their derivatives positions has revealed a dramatic increase in hedging activity by the two US federal-backed mortgage companies.
Will the latest delay sink Basle II?
Reactions to the latest delay in the Basle II banking accord timetable were mixed, with some bankers and regulators fearing the pact could unravel, while others were optimistic that the roadblocks to agreement would be cleared away.
SPE accounting proposal threatens CDO market
Proposed changes to US accounting standards for special-purpose entities (SPEs) could cause a dramatic decline in issuance of collateralised debt obligations (CDOs), analysts say.
Exposing exposures: how far will it go?
The Enron debacle has spurred investors and creditors to press for greater disclosure of corporate risk and hedging strategies. Companies are beginning to respond. How far will it go?
QIS3 survey delay puts back Basle II accord to 2006
Regulator determination to get a key survey of banks right was a major factor in the decision to postpone again the coming-into-effect of the complex Basle II banking accord until late 2006 from an undetermined date in 2005, banking regulators said in…
FASB reverses on loan commitments
The US Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) has ruled that undrawn loan commitments will not be subject to derivatives accounting rules and do not have to be marked-to-market – a victory for commercial lenders.
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