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Shenzhen's economy surpasses Hong Kong for the first time
February 26, 2019--Hong Kong Q4 GDP growth slows to near 3-year low amid "external pressures"
Shenzhen's economy surpassed that of Hong Kong for the first time in 2018, drawing a line under the former colony's economic malaise as its dynamic rival across the border in mainland China continues to draw the attention of domestic and international investors.
Economic growth in Hong Kong slowed to its lowest in almost three years in the final three months of 2018, the city's finance secretary said in his annual budget on Wednesday, citing "mounting external pressures".
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Source: FT.com
Boosting Financial Protection Against Natural Disasters is Critical for Economies in Central Asia
February 26, 2019--The economies of Central Asia must significantly increase financial protection against natural disasters and consolidate efforts to effectively manage disaster risks, said experts at a Regional Forum on Disaster Risk Financing in Almaty today. Policymakers and disaster risk management experts from five Central Asian countries discussed ways to improve financial protection, including which financing instruments to use, in the context of rising challenges brought about by climate change.
Central Asia is among the world's most disaster-prone regions. Earthquakes, floods, landslides, extreme weather events and other natural disasters occur almost every year across the region.
In the past three decades, natural disasters have affected over 10 million people throughout the region and caused economic losses of almost $2.5 billion.
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Source: World Bank
Deadline delayed
February 25, 2019--Week in Review
It was another positive week for global equities thanks to still reasonably reassuring growth indicators, dovish Fed commentary and ongoing hopes with regard to US-China trade talks. The US S&P 500 Index lifted 0.6%, and broke above its previous key end-week closing high in early November last year (i.e before the December bloodbath).
Equities are broadly enjoying an historically strong recovery after an historically strong slump last year!
With markets attentive to any signs of global slowing, it was notable that all-three key G-3 (US, Japan and Europe) global manufacturing surveys for February came in a bit weaker than expected last week, and in the case of Japan and Europe dropped below 50. America's index was still comfortably above 50. Clearly, China's slowdown and lingering trade tensions have taken their toll. Service sector indices, however, remained much more upbeat. Meanwhile, minutes from the latest Fed meeting again suggested that balance sheet rundown is likely to end later this year and the Committee is still unsure whether it will need to lift interest rates again.
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Source: BetaShares
Coinflex Launches its Physically Delivered Cryptocurrency Futures Exchange
February 22, 2019--According to a recent report, Coinflex has announced the launch of its cryptocurrency futures company based in Hong Kong.
This news is coming right after a report surfaced last month that the physically delivered cryptocurrency futures exchange intends to offer future contracts for bitcoin core (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and bitcoin cash (BCH), all paired against tether (USDT). The exchange which is based in Hong Kong is owned by a combination of several startups which includes Dragonfly Capital Partners and Trading Technologies International Inc., crypto trader Mike Komaransky.
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Source: coinmarkets.net
FTSE Russell's China Bond Research Report -Q4 2018
February 21, 2019--Growth projections for China's bond market remain strong even as the RMB weakens amid trade tensions
China's bond markets are set to evolve at a rapid pace in 2019-even if fears of prolonged trade tensions between the US and China are dominating headlines.
By some estimates the Asian giant's US$12 trillion bond market is projected to double in size over the next four years to about US$24 trillion; and Chinese Government Bonds are forecast to make up US$4 trillion of that market by the end of 2022.
Australia's Economic Outlook in Six Charts view more Currency Matters
To hedge or not to hedge?
view more SEBI may allow mutual funds & PMS in commodities at March board meet; indices too on cards view more Perpetual bond policy will be fine-tuned to aid banking sector view more Sustainable Finance Is Growing in the World's Worst-Polluting Country view more If you are looking for a particuliar article and can not find it, please feel free to contact us
Source: FTSE Russell
February 21, 2019--Economic growth in Australia picked up strongly in the first half of 2018, and the economy made further strides in its adjustment and rebalancing after the end of the mining investment and commodity price boom.
Despite strong employment growth and declining unemployment rates, wage growth was low and underemployment still above its longer-term average. In the absence of wage or other cost pressure, inflation remained below the central bank's 2 to 3 percent target range. After a recent housing boom, a housing market correction is now underway.
Source: IMF
February 20, 2019--Currency, for most investors, has always been a topic that causes consternation.
While many investors recognise the diversification value that international investments can bring, the fact that, by definition, such investments bring with them currency considerations adds an additional element to the decision.
There is no doubt that managing the currency risk that comes with international assets can be a rather complex area. With the growing number of exchange traded products providing investors with easy access to international exposures on the ASX, currency becomes an increasingly important consideration as investors look to create diversified portfolios.
Currency fluctuations can dramatically affect the returns on international investments, both positively and negatively. As an example, should the Australian dollar rise against the USD, any investment returns from a US dollar based investment would be reduced as they are converted back into AUD.
Source: BetaShares
February 20, 2019--SEBI may also give its consent to indices in the commodities market
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) may allow mutual funds and portfolio management services (PMS) in the commodities market at its upcoming board meet scheduled for the second week of March.
The markets regulator has almost finalised regulations for their entry as a new participant.
Source: moneycontrol.com
February 20, 2019--China's central bank will further improve its policy on perpetual bonds, with the first issued by a commercial bank last month to supplement capital and the banking sector's capability to support the real economy, bank Vice-Governor Pan Gongsheng said on Tuesday.
Pan, who aside from his role with the People's Bank of China is the head of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, made the statement at a policy briefing hosted by the State Council Information Office on Tuesday.
Source: chinadaily.com.cn
February 19, 2019--Tao Zhang is bullish on sustainability in China-especially when it comes to livestock emissions. The founder of U.S.-China impact investing consortium Dao Ventures has spent much of the past year looking to accelerate investment in more environmentally friendly plant-based or lab-grown meat for Chinese consumers through a new company, Dao Foods.
Climate change activists are worried that China's increasing appetite for meat is further straining natural resources and causing methane emissions to soar. Yet Zhang and a new crop of impact investors believe that this, and China's many other environmental and social concerns, can be solved with capital.
Source Bloomberg
