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IMF Staff Completes 2022 Article IV Mission with Singapore
May 24, 2022--Singapore has recovered sharply from the COVID-19 pandemic thanks to the authorities' decisive policy response, impressive vaccine rollout, and the country's strong economic fundamentals. The recovery nevertheless has been uneven across sectors.
The ongoing normalization of policies is appropriate and timely.
The tighter fiscal stance in the FY 2022 Budget, combined with targeted assistance to vulnerable households and firms, will facilitate a broadening of the recovery. The tighter monetary stance will help prevent inflationary pressures from becoming entrenched. Should downside risks materialize, Singapore has ample fiscal space to deploy additional targeted support as a first line of defense.
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Source: IMF
State Street Announces Expansion of Fund Connect ETF Portal in Singapore
May 18, 2022--Milestone builds on State Street's expansion of its ETF digital capabilities across multiple technology platforms; Portal now supports ETF trading across the globe including in the US, Canada, Europe and Asia-Pacific
State Street Corporation (NYSE:STT) today announced that its Fund Connect ETF portal- a division of State Street Digital and its leading global, primary market ETF portal with access to more than 960 exchange traded fund (ETFs) from leading issuers-is officially live in Singapore with its first product in the region. The firm had previously provided back-office services for ETFs including custody and fund administration.
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Source: State Street Corporation
UOB Asset Management (Taiwan), in first engagement with Solactive, launches ETF tracking Solactive Metaverse Technology and Services Index
May 17, 2022--The metaverse has been considered a driving force setting the stage for the future and, therefore, it is regarded as a massive prospect. Many big Techs start to see this revolutionary concept as their next direction of development. Morgan Stanley predicts that the metaverse is an $8.3 trillion market opportunity depending on the level of its development[1].
JPMorgan forecasts similar order of magnitude[2]. Many financial institutions increasingly see the Metaverse as quickly becoming a viable long-term investment opportunity. In a strategic move within this field, UOB Asset Management (Taiwan) launches the United Metaverse Technology and Services ETF, which aims to track the Solactive Metaverse Technology and Services Index.
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Source: Solactive AG
Strong Policies Help Korea Navigate Uncertain Times
May 13, 2022--Korea has recovered well from the pandemic, a testament to its strong economic fundamentals and appropriate policy responses. Economic output has surpassed pre-crisis levels despite multiple waves of infection. The recovery was supported by the effective containment of the pandemic, including rapid vaccination last year, and proactive economic policy support, which helped minimize economic scarring, sustain income growth, and maintain financial stability.
Given Korea's high global integration, strong external demand also provided support to the recovery.
Before the war in Ukraine, Korea's growth was expected to remain robust this year and next, with inflation projected to gradually return to target by next year, as reflected in the recent IMF report. But significant uncertainties were already clouding the outlook, with downside risks arising mainly from pandemic-related disruptions to supply chains, geopolitical uncertainties, and rising interest rates in major advanced economies.
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Source: IMF.org
Australia's first Bitcoin and Ethereum spot ETFs go live
May 11, 2022--Australia's first three cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds (ETF) launched on the Cboe exchange on Thursday, bringing Bitcoin and Ethereum products to the stock market.
One of the funds, the Cosmos Purpose Bitcoin Access ETF (CBTC) from Cosmos Asset Management, tracks the Purpose Bitcoin ETF (BTCC-B.TO) on the Toronto stock exchange.
The other two funds were launched by Australian ETFS Management (AUS) Ltd. and Swiss 21Shares AG spot-trade Bitcoin (EBTC) and Ether (EETH) by tracking the underlying asset directly.
The three cryptocurrency products were scheduled for launch on April 27, but brokerage concerns caused last-minute delays.
Cosmos said it will not charge investors fees on their funds for two months, as a response to the postponed launch.
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Source: yahoo.com
Asia Growth Slows on Commodities, Covid and Rising Interest Rates
April 25, 2022--Region's policymakers face difficult policy trade-offs and should protect the most vulnerable from rising fuel and food costs while enacting economic reforms to boost long-term growth.
Economic growth in Asia and the Pacific is poised to slow more than previously estimated this year amid headwinds from the war in Ukraine, a resurgent pandemic, and tightening global financial conditions.
Regional gross domestic product will expand by 4.9 percent, 0.5 percentage points less than we forecast in January and slower than last year's 6.5 percent growth rate, according to our latest projections. We also estimate that inflation will rise faster in many countries, though from relatively low levels.
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Source: imf.org
BlackRock CCB, China Asset Management, Industrial Bank poised to launch more products to tap China's expanding private pension savings
April 25, 2022--BlackRock and CCB's joint venture launches its first pension product as China expands its private pension scheme to tap the country's vast savings
China expanded the private pension scheme last week by allowing individuals to set up personal accounts to invest in a wider range of financial products
Financial institutions including BlackRock CCB Wealth Management, China Asset Management and Industrial Bank are gearing up to tap mainland China's expanding private pension market, as household savings swell amid an ageing population.
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Source: scmp.com
Yen Extends 20-Year Low on Widening U.S. Yield Gap
April 14, 2022--Japanese currency falls for 11th straight day against dollar
Yen is the worst performing Group-of-10 currency this year
The yen's relentless drop continued Friday, as it weakened for an 11th straight day against the dollar on bets further divergence between U.S. and Japanese interest rates are inevitable.
The Japanese currency was down just over 0.5% to 126.60 per dollar at 3.30 p.m. in Tokyo--extending a 20-year low. Benchmark Treasury yields surged in the U.S. overnight, widening the gap with their peers in Japan.
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Source: bloomberg.com
South Asia Sees Slower Growth as War in Ukraine Impedes Recovery, Worsens Existing Challenges
April 13, 2022--Growth in South Asia, already uneven and fragile, will be slower than previously projected, due to the impacts of the war in Ukraine and persistent economic challenges, says the World Bank in its twice-a-year regional update.
Released today, the latest South Asia Economic Focus Reshaping Norms: A New Way Forward projects the region to grow by 6.6 percent in 2022 and by 6.3 percent in 2023. The 2022 forecast has been revised downward by 1.0 percentage point compared to the January projection.
Countries in South Asia are already grappling with rising commodity prices, supply bottlenecks, and vulnerabilities in financial sectors.
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Source: worldbank.org
IMF Executive Board Concludes 2022 Article IV Consultation with Japan
April 6, 2022--The Japanese economy is recovering from the pandemic amid strong policy support and high vaccination levels. Japan had much lower rates of COVID-related infections and deaths than most advanced economies, including due to containment measures. Following a contraction of 4.5 percent in 2020, real GDP growth is estimated to have grown by 1.6 percent in 2021. Reflecting high energy prices, inflation has risen gradually during 2021 but remains well below the 2 percent inflation target.
The current account surplus was 2.9 percent of GDP in 2021, and, on a preliminary basis, the external position is assessed as broadly in line with medium-term fundamentals and desirable policies. Business bankruptcies and non-performing loans are at historical lows due to strong fiscal and monetary support as well as liquidity and credit supply facilitated by regulatory easing measures. The banking system remains well-capitalized and liquid, and near-term vulnerabilities are contained.
GDP growth is projected at 2.4 percent in 2022 amid continued strong policy support, the high vaccination rate, and easing global supply constraints. Consumption will lead the recovery, with pent-up demand being unwound.
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Source: imf.org