World Bank Group Launches New Global Infrastructure Facility
Move paves way for institutional investors to help fill infrastructure gaps in developing world: US$1 trillion a year in extra investment needed through 2020.
October 9, 2014--The heads of some of the world's largest asset management and private equity firms, pension and insurance funds, and commercial banks are today joining multilateral development institutions and donor nations to work as partners in a new Global Infrastructure Facility (GIF)
that has the potential to unlock billions of dollars for infrastructure in the developing world.
Source: World Bank
Cloudy Outlook for Growth in Emerging Europe and Central Asia
Ukraine Crisis has Impact, but Long-Term Reform Challenges also Remain
October 8, 2014--Growth in the Emerging Europe and Central Asia (ECA) region remains tepid, with GDP growth for the region expected to be only 1.8 percent in 2014 and improving slightly up to 2.1 percent for 2015, the World Bank said during the 2014 World Bank/IMF Annual Meetings.
"The Emerging Europe and Central Asia region is facing some daunting challenges amid a cloudy outlook for growth," said Laura Tuck, Vice-President for the World Bank's Emerging Europe and Central Asia region. "The tensions in Ukraine have clearly had an impact on the country’s growth and have disrupted economic activity. But many of the structural problems that confront countries in the region existed before the crisis and still need to be urgently addressed."
view the Infographic: ECA Regional Economic Update
Source: World Bank
ETFS Research Note-Platinum and Palladium: Price Corrections Bring Opportunity
October 7, 2014--Summary
Platinum and palladium prices have fallen sharply over the past weeks, with platinum now trading more than 10% below its estimated marginal cost of production.
While this doesn’t mean that prices couldn't fall further in the near-term on US dollar strength, with demand from the auto industry picking up and supply constrained by a structural decline in mine supply, we believe platinum and palladium prices have dropped to levels that are potentially highly attractive for long-term investors.
As US demand continues to expand and China growth rebounds on aggressive monetary easing, we believe these metals have the potential to rebound strongly in the latter part of this year and 2015.
Source: ETF Securities Research
According to ETFGI ETFs and ETPs globally have gathered a record 199.0 billion US dollars in net new assets through the end of Q3 2014
October 7, 2014--ETFGI's research finds ETFs and ETPs globally have gathered a record 199.0 billion US dollars in net new assets through the end of Q3 2014, surpassing the previous high of US$185.8 Bn set in the first three quarters of 2012.
The Global ETF/ETP industry has 5,463 ETFs/ETPs, with 10,510 listings, assets of US$2.6 Tn, from 225 providers listed on 61 exchanges, according to preliminary data from ETFGI's end Q3 2014 Global ETF and ETP industry insights report.
YTD NNA flows reached record levels for the ETF/ETP industries in Japan at US$15.0 Bn, Europe at US$47.4 Bn, and globally at US$199.0 Bn.
Source: ETFGI
IMF World Economic Outlook (WEO) Legacies, Clouds, Uncertainties-October 2014
October 7, 2014--Despite setbacks, an uneven global recovery continues. Largely due to weaker-than-expected global activity in the first half of 2014, the growth forecast for the world economy has been revised downward to 3.3 percent for this year, 0.4 percentage point lower than in the April 2014 World Economic Outlook (WEO). The global growth projection for 2015 was lowered to 3.8 percent.
Downside risks have increased since the spring. Shortterm risks include a worsening of geopolitical tensions and a reversal of recent risk spread and volatility compression in financial markets. Medium-term risks include stagnation and low potential growth in advanced economies and a decline in potential growth in emerging markets.
Given these increased risks, raising actual and potential growth must remain a priority. In advanced economies, this will require continued support from monetary policy and fiscal adjustment attuned in pace and composition to supporting both the recovery and longterm growth. In a number of economies, an increase in public infrastructure investment can also provide support to demand in the short term and help boost potential output in the medium term. In emerging markets, the scope for macroeconomic policies to support growth if needed varies across countries and regions, but space is limited in countries with external vulnerabilities.
view the IMF World Economic Outlook (WEO) Legacies, Clouds, Uncertainties-October 2014
Source: IMF
WEF-Mainstreaming Impact Investing: A practical guide
September 16, 2014--Charting the Course: How Mainstream Investors can Design Visionary and Pragmatic Impact Investing Strategies, is the culmination of a year-long research effort with investors to demonstrate concrete strategies for how for-profit companies can create transformational positive social impact.
Impact investing-an investment approach which creates both financial returns and positive impact that is actively measured-is continuing to be a focus in high-level circles as seen through recent convenings hosted by the Pope, the White House and the G8, while at the same time receiving increased interest from the millennial generation which is set to inherit some USD $30 trillion over the coming decades.
Source: WEF (World Economic Forum)
BIS-Proposals to improve the operational risk capital frame work released by the Basel Committee
October 6, 2014--The Basel Committee has today released for consultation a revised standardised approach for measuring operational risk capital. The existing framework sets out different approaches that banks may use to calculate their operational risk capital requirement.
Once finalised, a new unitary standardised approach will replace the current non-model-based approaches, which comprise the Basic Indicator Approach (BIA) and the Standardised Approach (TSA), including its variant the Alternative Standardised Approach (ASA). In addition to streamlining the framework, the new approach will address weaknesses identified in the existing approaches.
view the Consultative Document-Operational risk-Revisions to the simpler approaches
Source: BIS
Nigeria: As U.S. Shuts Its Door On Nigeria's Oil Exports
October 3, 2014--Nigeria has become the first country to completely stop selling oil to the United States of America, the world's largest oil producer and consumer,
due to the impact of the shale revolution-an astounding reversal-as the country was only four years ago one of the top five oil suppliers to America.
According to the US Department of Energy, Nigeria did not export a single barrel of crude to US-based refiners in July for the first time since records started in 1973.view more
Source: allAfrica.com
IMF-Emerging Market Volatility: Lessons from The Taper Tantrum
October 3, 2014-- Summary: Accommodative monetary policies in advanced economies have spurred increased capital inflows into emerging markets since the global financial crisis. Starting in May 2013, when the Federal Reserve publicly discussed its plans for tapering unconventional monetary policies, these emerging markets have experienced financial turbulence at the same that their domestic economic activity has slowed.
This paper examines their experiences and policy responses and draws broad policy lessons. For emerging markets, good macroeconomic fundamentals matter, and early and decisive measures to strengthen macroeconomic policies and reduce vulnerabilities help dampen market reactions to external shocks. For advanced economies, clear and effective communication about the exit from unconventional monetary policy can and did help later to reduce the risk of excessive market volatility. And for the global community, enhanced global cooperation, including a strong global financial safety net, offers emerging markets effective protection against excessive volatility.
view theIMF-Emerging Market Volatility: Lessons from The Taper Tantrum paper
Source: IMF
IOSCO Launches Second Securities Markets Risk Outlook
October 1. 2014--The International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) today published the IOSCO Securities Markets Risk Outlook 2014-2015. The Outlook is a forward-looking report focusing on identifying potential risks in securities markets.
The Outlook has been prepared during a transformative period for global financial markets. As the initial impact of the 2008 financial crisis recedes, securities markets are an increasingly important financing channel for the economy. At the same time, innovation is re-entering the markets, while accommodative monetary policies continue to bolster securities markets. Consequently, the identification and analysis of the build-up of systemic risk in securities markets is of growing significance.
view the IOSCO Securities Markets-Risk Outlook-2014-15
Source: IOSCO