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Thai Bourse to allow gold brokers to trade all derivatives products, accepts new members
April 10, 2012--Thailand Futures Exchange (TFEX) is ready to allow precious metal-related members to become full members, so that they will be able to trade all derivatives products listed on the market. It also plans to accept new trading members.
Kesara Manchusree, Managing Director of TFEX, under The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) Group, revealed that, in the first quarter of 2012, there have been several inquiries about applying to become TFEX members, particularly from gold brokers, who are currently licensed to trade only precious metal-related futures contracts. Such members notified the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) about their interest to trade all types of derivatives. Kesara said that, so far, three companies -- Ausiris Futures Co., Ltd. (AFC); GT Wealth Management Co., Ltd. (GTWM); and Hua Seng Heng Gold Futures Co., Ltd. (HGF) -- have submitted their documents to TFEX, and she believes that other members are also preparing their documentation for the same purpose.
“TFEX and Thailand Clearing House Co., Ltd. (TCH) are now reviewing the system and personnel readiness of all three companies, with a system test expected to take place soon, to make sure that they can provide full service to investors”, said Kesara.
It’s back to futures for China government bonds
Government bond futures market could be revived by end of year
April 9, 2012--Seventeen years after regulators responded to an investment scandal by shuttering China’s government bond futures market, institutional traders may be invited back to the trading table.
The China Financial Futures Exchange (CFFEX) started testing Feb. 13 a proposed, electronic version of the market launched in 1992, but abruptly closed in 1995 after a short-seller stung major bond holder, including the Ministry of Finance.
Participants in the latest market experiment included several futures and securities firms as well as banks.
No timetable for a fully functioning exchange has been announced, but optimistic investors and analysts say the State Council may be asked in July or August to give the green light.
“There’s a good possibility of a launch before the (Chinese government) leadership transition late this year,” said a source close to regulators. “It has been considered at the highest levels for a long time.”
Supporters of a revival blame the scandal known as the “327 incident” on a market environment that lacked proper risk management and an immature regulation system. Since then, the bond market and regulatory environment have improved radically.
“China’s government bond market and futures market have undergone fundamental change” since 1995, said Jiang Yang, an assistant to the chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, which oversees futures. “The factors leading to the 327 incident no longer exist.”
Speaking in March at China’s legislative sessions, CFFEX President Zhu Yuchen said the government’s interest rate reforms have contributed to a better environment, too, so that the government no longer has to subsidize bond purchases.
China Consumer Prices Rise Faster-Than-Estimated 3.6%
April 9, 2012--China's inflation accelerated more than forecast in March on a pickup in food prices, signaling that policy makers may exercise caution in adding stimulus to boost growth.
Consumer prices rose 3.6 percent from a year earlier, the National Bureau of Statistics said today. That was more than the median 3.4 percent estimate in a Bloomberg News survey of 33 economists. Food-related costs gained 7.5 percent.
DB-Equity Research-Asia-Pac ETF Market Weekly Review:ETP AUM retreats by $1.7bn as markets remain mixed
April 9, 2012-Market Review
The Asia-Pacific region had mixed markets last week. In all, Japan (Nikkei 225) fell by 3.92%, Korea (KOSPI2) gained by 1.27%, China (CSI 300) grew by 2.64%, Hong Kong (HSI) increased by 0.18%, Singapore (FSSTI) slipped by 0.81%, and Australia (S&P/ASX 200) dropped by 0.36% over the previous week.
New Launch Review
Last week, three new products were launched in the Asia-Pacific ETP market. Simplex Asset Management Co Ltd listed two ETFs tracking Topix Leveraged (2x) Index and the Topix Inverse (-1x) Index, respectively. These ETFs were listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Guotai Asset Management Co Ltd launched one equity ETF on Shenzen Exchange tracking SZSE Small and Mid Cap Enterprises 300 Price Index.
Turnover Review
Asia-Pacific ETP turnover totaled $4.3bn for the last week, 10.6% down from the previous week’s total. South Korea continues to be on top of the turnover ranking with $2.1bn, followed by Japan ($0.8bn), China ($0.7bn), Hong Kong ($0.4bn), and Taiwan ($0.1bn). Among Equity ETFs, Emerging Country, Asia Pac Developed Country, Leveraged Strategy, and Short Strategy ETFs had total turnover of $1.6bn, $0.9bn, $1bn and $0.5bn respectively. Under the Commodity asset class, turnover in Gold ETPs totaled $85m for the last week.
Assets Under Management Review
Last week, Asia-Pacific ETP AUM declined by $1.7bn and ended at $97.8bn. On a year to date basis, Asia-Pacific ETP market is up by $6.3bn or 6.9% above last year’s closing.
China foreign investment quota boost aimed at ETFs
April 7, 2012--China's expansion of a quota for investment of offshore yuan back into mainland financial markets will be used mainly to promote Hong Kong-listed exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that track the mainland stock market, Chinese media reported.
The 50 billion yuan (US$7.92bil) expansion of the Renminbi Qualified Foreign Institutional Investor (RQFII) programme, announced earlier this week, was targeted at equity investment and not subject to previous rules stating that a maximum 20% of the total RQFII quota could be invested in equities, the official Shanghai Securities News reported, citing a “related person in charge” at the securities regulator.
Stocks gain on hopes of foreign capital inflows
April 6, 2012--SHANGHAI'S key stock index edged up today on hopes that foreign capital inflows will help bolster the market after the securities regulator increased quotas for yuan-denominated foreign investment.
The Shanghai Composite Index rose 0.19 percent to close at 2,306.55 points amid volatile trade. Turnover stood at 68.9 billion yuan (US$10.9 billion).
The market, which resumed trading on Thursday after a three-day holiday break, saw its key index rise for a second day after China's Securities Regulatory Commission announced on Tuesday that quotas for qualified foreign investment in stocks, bonds, and bank deposits has been raised from US$30 billion to US$80 billion.
Thai Bourse lists gold-based ETF "TGOLDETF" on April 11
April 5, 2012--The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) will list TGOLDETF Thanachart Gold ETF, managed by Thanachart Fund Management Co., Ltd., on its main board on April 11, under the ticker symbol "TGOLDETF."
TGOLDETF, an open-end exchange-traded fund (ETF), has a policy to invest in gold bars whose quality and purity following international standards.
SET President Charamporn Jotikasthira said: “. The ETF will follow global gold prices and its par value will be 1/10,000 of the gold price in baht per troy ounce based on London Gold AM fixing. Therefore, ETF returns will directly follow the movement of gold bar prices overseas. So, this new product should be an attractive choice and respond to the needs of investors who want to invest in gold through the stock exchange.”
Listing of Japan's First Leveraged/Inverse ETFs -Simplex AM TOPIX Bull 2x ETF/ TOPIX Bear -1x ETF-
April 5, 2012--Today, Simplex Asset Management Co., Ltd. (President & CEO: Hiromasa Mizushima) listed "TOPIX Bull 2x ETF" (Code: 1568) and "TOPIX Bear -1x ETF" (Code: 1569) on Tokyo Stock Exchange.
"TOPIX Bull 2x ETF" tracks the "TOPIX Leveraged (2x) Index" which doubles the daily fluctuation rate of TOPIX, while "TOPIX Bear -1x ETF" tracks the "TOPIX Inverse (-1x) Index" which produces results opposite that of the daily fluctuation rate of TOPIX. These leveraged/inverse ETFs are the first of their kind to list in Japan.
A listing ceremony for these ETFs was held at Tokyo Stock Exchange today, with Simplex Assent Management Co., Ltd.'s president & CEO Hiromasa Mizushima, Tokyo Stock Exchange, Inc.'s president & CEO Atsushi Saito, and other related parties in attendance.
Mr. Mizushima had this to say regarding the listing: "I feel it is a great honor that our company has listed Japan's first leveraged and inverse ETFs on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. I hope that these ETFs will greatly invigorate the Japanese ETF market and expand interest in the market to an even wider base of investors. Moving forward, our company will continue contributing to the ETF market by keeping ahead of the curve with the development of cutting-edge products."
The Asia Dow Gained 12.28% In 2012's First Quarter Despite 2.10% Slide In March, According To Dow Jones Indexes
29 Of The Asia Dow's 30 Stocks Closed Q1In Positive Territory -Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. Topped All Asia Dow Components With 41.70% Quarterly Gain, Led March Performers With 11.26% Increase
April 4, 2012--─The Asia Dow, an equal-weighted, 30-stock index that measures 30 of the leading blue-chip stocks traded in the Asia/Pacific region, closed 2012's first quarter with a 12.28% gain despite a 2.10% slide in March, according to data compiled by Dow Jones Indexes, a leading global index provider.
For the first quarter of 2012, 29 of The Asia Dow’s 30 components closed in positive territory-only Indonesia’s Astra International, with a fall of 0.90%, finished the quarter down among Asia Dow stocks. Nineteen of the index’s components finished March with a monthly decline. The Asia Dow
advanced 5.05% in February 2012 and finished flat (0.00%) in the 2011 first quarter.
