IMF Working paper-Network Effects of International Shocks and Spillovers
July 7, 2015--Summary: This paper proposes a method for assessing international spillovers from nominal demand shocks. It quantifies the impact of a shock in one country on all other countries. The paper concludes that the network effects in shock spillovers can be substantial, comparable, and often exceed the initial shock.
Individual countries may amplify, absorb, or block spillovers. Most developed countries pass-through shocks, whereas low-income countries and oil exporters tend to block shock spillovers. The method is used to study demand shocks originating from a large and medium country, China and Ukraine respectively.
view the IMF Working paper-Network Effects of International Shocks and Spillovers
Source: IMF
Social Safety Nets Expand in Developing Countries, But Majority of the Poorest Still Lack Coverage
Safety net programs must be more efficient and effective to close the coverage gap: WB report
July 7, 2015--A growing number of developing countries are investing in social safety nets to improve the lives and livelihoods of billions of poor and vulnerable people, yet around 55 percent of the world's poor or 773 million people with acute needs still lack safety net coverage
-especially in lower-income countries and in urban areas-and countries must take action to close this coverage gap, says a new World Bank Group report.
According to The State of Social Safety Nets 2015, more than 1.9 billion people in 136 low-and middle-income countries are now on beneficiary rolls of social safety net programs. In Africa alone, the number of countries setting up social safety net programs has doubled over the past three years, as evidenced by rigorous evaluations that prove these programs work.
view the report-The state of social safety nets 2015
view the Infographic: Social Safety Nets Keep Millions Out of Poverty
Source: World Bank
Global asset managers fret over regulation-survey
July 7, 2015--Global asset managers see regulatory change as the biggest risk for their businesses over the next 12 months, State Street said on Tuesday.
In a survey of 400 managers in Asia, Europe and North America, 32 percent cited regulatory risk as highly likely to increase, compared with 21 percent for market risk, even as ructions in Greece and China dominate headlines.
Source: Reuters
Infographic: Social Safety Nets Keep Millions Out of Poverty
July 7, 2015--More than 1.9 billion people in 136 low and middle-income countries benefit from social safety net programs, yet 55 percent of the world's poor or 773 million poor people with acute needs still lack coverage.
As interest in and the use of social safety nets keep growing, countries struggle to make social safety net interventions more effective and to integrate them better in their overall social protection and labor systems.
view the Infographic: Social Safety Nets Keep Millions Out of Poverty
Source: World Bank
BlackRock ETP Landscape: Record first half flows
July 9, 2015--GLOBAL ETP FLOWS REACH FIRST HALF RECORD DUE TO JAPAN AND EAFE EQUITY AS WELL AS A U.S. REBOUND
Global ETP flows of $20.8bn in June pushed year-to-date asset gathering to a new high despite Q2 flows of $49.1bn equalling just half the Q1 total.
Aided by a market friendly Fed announcement, U.S. equities led all categories for the first time since December, bringing in $9.8bn driven by small-and mid-cap funds
Japan equity was strong contributing $5.7bn and EAFE equity also maintained momentum with $5.3bn
Pan-European flows were modest for a second month in a row relative to Q1 at $3.2bn as investors wait for a resolution to Greece's negotiations with its creditors
Currency-hedged equity funds brought in $3.3bn, but eased for a third month after peaking in March when the U.S. dollar stopped rallying
Source: BlackRock
Global fund industry manages record $74tn
July 7, 2015--The global asset management industry grew to a record size last year as equity and bond values rose sharply, helped by hopes of economic recovery and central bank interventions in the markets.
Assets under management increased to $74tn, the highest figure recorded by the Boston Consulting Group's annual survey.
Source: FT.com
Gilts boosted by exchange traded fund flows
July 6, 2015--Exchange traded funds tracking UK government bonds have experienced their largest weekly inflows for the year, with increased appetite for Gilts reflecting concerns over Greece and improving government finances.
Along with German Bunds and US Treasuries, Gilts are perceived as one of the safest places to put money at times of heightened financial market risk.
Source: FT.com
Brics bank to launch at summit this week
July 6, 2015-The Brics emerging economies will launch a development bank at a summit this week which President Vladimir Putin hopes will help reduce Western dominance of world financial institutions and show Moscow is not isolated.
At a meeting in the remote Russian city of Ufa, Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa also aim to put the last touches to a $100bn contingency currency reserves pool.
Source: FIN24
Global Commission Finds Economic Growth Can Close the Emissions Gap
July 6, 2015--A new report released by the Global Commission on the Economy and the Climate identifies ten key economic opportunities that could close up to 96 percent of the gap between business-as-usual emissions and the level needed to limit dangerous climate change.
The report calls for stronger cooperation between governments, businesses, investors, cities and communities to drive economic growth in the emerging low-carbon economy.
Source: Global Commission on the Economy and the Climate
FTSE Ratings Licensed for First Malaysian ESG Fund
July 6, 2015--Malaysian ESG Opportunity Fund launched by VCAP Asset Managers
Builds on existing FTSE Russell relationship with Bursa Malaysia
Reflects growing momentum around ESG globally
FTSE Russell, the global index provider, has announced that the FTSE Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Ratings have been licensed by Malaysia's first ESG fund. The regional ESG Ratings were developed last year in partnership with Bursa Malaysia. The Malaysian ESG Opportunity Fund has been launched by VCAP Asset Managers Sdn Bhd, a wholly owned subsidiary of ValueCap Sdn Bhd.
Source: FTSE