Japan
HKEx targets derivatives growth
Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing has scheduled a number of new initiatives for 2005 to combat flagging investor interest in derivatives. It also plans to expand and promote its distribution of market data to a wider user base in the Far East.
Finding the perfect fit
With the implementation of Basel II firmly on the agenda for Japan's banks, Shunsuke Shirakawa of the Financial Services Agency talks about how the Japanese regulator will approach the challenges posed by the new Accord.
BNP Paribas tailor-makes Japanese CDS index
French bank BNP Paribas has created a sub-index to its CJ50 index of the 50 most liquid Japanese credit default swaps (CDS). Called CJ Flex, the sub-index is referenced on about 30 investment-grade credits, worth a total notional amount of more than ¥10…
Japanese arbitrage CDO issuance to remain at standstill
The issuance of arbitrage synthetic and cash collateralised debt obligations (CDOs) in Japan is set to remain at a standstill due to tight credit spreads, according to a report published by Moody’s Investors Service.
Resecuritisation set for rapid growth in Japan, says Moody's
Resecuritisation deals - collateralised loan obligations (CLOs) backed by structured finance securities - are likely to grow in Japan, according to a report issued this week by Moody’s Investors Service.
JP Morgan Chase and Morgan Stanley launch Trac-x Japan CDS index
US investment houses JP Morgan Chase and Morgan Stanley are merging their Japanese credit derivatives indexes Janice and MSJ-CDS, respectively, into Trac-x Japan, a new tradable index that tracks the 50 most liquid Japanese credit default swaps (CDS).
Basel II: Time to prepare
Following the publication of the third and final consultation paper, Japan's banks are focusing more seriously on Basel II. With the new requirements set to take effect from 2006, most banks face a critical year ahead.
Japan electronics finish the week off their highs
The cost of credit protection on Japanese electronics companies ended the week off their highs, as market participants finished re-adjusting portfolios and protection sellers re-emerged in the market.
Japan's four major banks post losses of $31bn for 2002
Japan's four largest banks have posted a combined ¥3.61 trillion ($30.9 billion) in losses for the 2002 financial year, following larger-than-expected losses in their cross-equity holdings amid slump in the country’s equity markets and their ongoing…
Japan’s Resona asks for government bailout
Resona Holdings, Japan’s fifth largest banking group created by the merger of Asahi and Daiwa, has asked the Japanese government for an emergency injection of public funds, following a sharp plunge in its capital reserves. The government bailout,…
Japanese credit default swaps trading centres around convertibles
Most of the trading in Japan’s credit default swaps market centred around names with outstanding convertible bonds in quiet trading this week.
Moody’s sees record Japanese yen CDO issuance
International rating agency Moody’s Investors Service said today it rated a record ¥3.02 trillion ($25 billion) of collateralised debt obligations (CDOs) in the first quarter of the year. That compares to full-year volume of ¥3.14 trillion in 2002.
Japanese banks get a breather but airlines continue to dip
The cost of credit protection on Japanese banks were off their lows, as the regulator eased earlier concerns that it may nationalise ailing banks. Meanwhile, the cost of protection on airlines continued to skyrocket as the war in Iraq and the spreading…
Japanese airlines go against credit market’s tightening trend
Technical factors continued to keep Japan’s credit default swaps on a tightening trend this week, except for airlines for which the cost of protection continued to rise on concern that the war in Iraq and Japan’s weak economy will seriously damage the…
Japan’s SMBC to launch ¥1 trillion balance sheet synthetic CLO
Japan’s Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) is preparing to launch its second balance sheet synthetic collateralised loan obligation on March 24, ahead of the fiscal year end, with a ¥1 trillion ($8.35 billion) transaction.
Japanese credit default swaps market turns defensive
Japan’s credit default swaps market continued to ignore the threat of war in Iraq, diplomatic tensions with North Korea and weak stock markets, but the mood in Tokyo was nevertheless bearish, and market participants were more keen to buy protection than…
Japan credit default swaps seen at the end of tightening trend
Japanese credit default swaps have reached the end of their tightening trend, and market participants are now waiting for direction, dealers said. But with the fiscal year-end approaching, they predict that participants are likely to stay on the…
Sumitomo capital raising sparks Japanese bank spread widening
Japanese bank credit protection spreads widened this week as a capital-raising exercise by Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp (SMBC) sparked renewed fears that banks were trying to shore-up capital reserves ahead of their year-end results.
Japan credit default swaps brush off international events
Credit default swap spreads in Japan tightened across the board this week, brushing off heightened diplomatic tensions with North Korea and the threat of war in Iraq, as technical factors continued to support the Japanese market, dealers said.
Japan's FSA cracks down on lapses by foreign firms
TOKYO – In mid-January, Japan's Financial Services Agency (FSA) issued administrative actions against the Tokyo branches of both Crédit Lyonnais Securities Europe and ING Securities after the agency found regulatory breaches at both firms.
Nationalisation required for Japanese bank recovery, says Fitch
A partial nationalisation of Japan's ailing banks may be the only way to resolve the country's economic woes, with recent efforts by individual institutions to restructure their balance sheets unlikely to lead to an autonomous recovery in the banking…
Nationalisation required for Japanese bank recovery, says Fitch
A partial nationalisation of Japan’s ailing banks may be the only way to resolve the country’s economic woes, with recent efforts by individual institutions to restructure their balance sheets unlikely to lead to an autonomous recovery in the banking…
Japan credit default swap spreads wider on weak stocks
Japanese credit default swap spreads were generally wider this week following weakness in stock prices, but dealers said participants with short positions have helped support the derivatives market and dampened the widening trend.
Japan credit default swaps continue technical tightening
Credit default swap spreads in Japan were tighter across the board this week, with some protection sellers posting aggressive offers on the market, dealers said today.