Global ETF News Older than One Year
Merk 2016 Outlook: Markets, Dollar, Gold
December 2, 2015--Up! Buy the dips! What could possibly go wrong? A hell of a lot, actually, so investors might want to take precautions before, rather after, bad things happen to one's portfolio.
We take a stab at where one may find opportunities in 2016. In an early August Merk Insight entitled Coming Out -As a Bear!, we argued rising "risk premia" could create headwinds to the stock market (and other so-called risk assets) for at least eighteen months, if not years.
Source: Merk Investments
Global defaults climb to 6-year peak of $95bn
December 1, 2015--Companies have defaulted on $95bn worth of debt so far this year, with 2015 set to finish with the highest number of worldwide defaults since 2009, according to Standard & Poor's.
The figures are the latest sign financial stress is beginning to rise for corporate borrowers, led by US oil and gas companies.
Source: usagold.com
Russell/Nomura Japan Equity Indexes add
December 1, 2015--The family of Russell/Nomura Indexes, which captures 98% of the float-adjusted market capitalization of the
Japanese equity market, added 14 new firms as part of the annual reconstitution process on December 1,
announced Nomura Securities Co., Ltd. and Russell Investments. The membership list was posted on http://qr.nomuraholdings.com/en/frcnri/index.html.
Source: Russell Investments
Over 60% Of Risk Managers At Financial Services Firms Believe Probability Of A High-Impact Event Has Increased, According To New DTCC Survey
Ongoing concerns over potential cyber attacks driving industry-wide concerns
December 1, 2015-- A new survey on risk trends impacting the financial services industry revealed that 61% of risk managers believe the probability of a high-impact event in the global financial system has increased during the past six months, according to The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation's (DTCC) latest Systemic Risk Barometer Survey.
The survey found that the threat of a cyber attack is the key driver behind the increased concern among risk managers.
view the Systemic Risk Barometer Results Overview-2015 Q3
Source: DTCC
ERI Scientific Beta announces launch of Quality Multi-Beta family of indices
December 1, 2015--ERI Scientific Beta is pleased to announce the release of a new family of multi smart factor indices that has been added to the www.scientificbeta.com platform as of 12 November, 2015: Quality Multi-Beta Indices.
This release is part of a new version of the platform, further extending ERI Scientific Beta's offering in the area of smart beta indices.
The new multi smart factor indices are an equal-weighted combination of the two factors attributed to "Quality"- Low Investment and High Profitability-and are available in both regular and highly-liquid versions and with or without sector and geographical neutrality.
Source: ERI Scientific Beta
OECD-Further reforms needed to tackle growing risk of pensioner poverty
December 1, 2015--Recent reforms have made pension systems more financially sustainable and pensioners have higher living standards than ever before
But future generations are likely to find their pension entitlements much less generous than today's and many may face a serious risk of pensioner poverty, according to a new OECD report.
Pensions at a Glance 2015 says that about half of OECD countries have taken measures in the past two years to make their systems more affordable in the long term. A third have made efforts to strengthen safety nets and help some vulnerable groups of pensioners.
view the OECD Pensions at a Glance 2015-OECD and G20 indicators
Source: OECD
Goldman Sachs Seeking Crypto Trade Settlement Patent
December 1, 2015--Goldman Sachs filed a patent application last month for a securities settlement system based on a new cryptocurrency called "SETLcoin".
In a US Patent & Trademark Office application, dated 19th November, Goldman Sachs outlines a "Cryptographic Currency For Securities Settlement" that allows peer-to-peer participants to exchange cryptographic tokens representing securities with instant settlement.
Source: Coindesk.com
Eurex: Trading statistics November 2015
Eurex Exchange: ADV 5.3 million contracts/ISE: ADV 2.3 million contracts
December 1, 2015--
In November 2015, the international derivatives markets of Eurex, part of Deutsche Börse Group, recorded an average daily volume of 7.6 million contracts (November 2014: 7.4 million).
Of those, 5.3 million were Eurex Exchange contracts (November 2014: 5.3 million), and 2.3 million contracts (November 2014: 2.1 million) were traded at the New York based International Securities Exchange (ISE).
Source: Eurex
ETF Securities Outlook 2016: Don’t believe the hype...
December 1, 2015--We enter 2016 with one certainty: US official policy interest rates are going to rise. But the Federal Reserve (Fed) balance sheet has never been this vast and so most asset classes will be entering unchartered waters during this tightening cycle.
Our analysis of previous Fed hiking cycles suggests, contrary to popular belief, that the US Dollar (USD) sells-off. We believe the USD will behave in a similar way as it has done in the past and begin its decline during Q1 2016.
Source: ETF Securities
IMF-Review of the Method of Valuation of the SDR
December 1, 2015--Summary:This paper provides the basis for the quinquennial review of the method of valuation of the Special Drawing Right (SDR).
The review considers the composition, size, and weighting of the SDR currency basket and the financial instruments used to determine the SDR interest rate.
view the IMF Policy Paper: Review of the Method of Valuation of the SDR
Source: IMF
