G20 GDP growth slows to 0.4% in the second quarter of 2021, but large differences exist across countries
September 15, 2021--Gross domestic product (GDP) of the G20 area grew by 0.4% in the second quarter of 2021, down from 0.9% in the first quarter of 2021. However, this figure conceals large differences in the growth observed across countries.Among the G20 economies, GDP growth slowed in Turkey(to 0.9%, from 2.2%),Korea(to 0.8%, from 1.7%) and Australia(to 0.7%, from 1.9%). GDP contracted sharply in India(by (minus) 10.2%, after 2.3% growth).
GDP also contracted, to a lesser extent, in Canada (by (minus) 0.3%, after 1.4% growth) and Brazil (by (minus) 0.1%, after 1.2% growth). GDP growth resumed in the United Kingdom(to 4.8%, following a contraction of (minus) 1.6%),in the European Union as a whole (to 2.1%, following a contraction of (minus) 0.1%), in Germany (to 1.6%, following a contraction of (minus) 2.0%), in Saudi Arabia (to 1.1%, following a contraction of (minus) 0.5%) and in Japan(to 0.5%, following a contraction of (minus) 1.1%).
Remaining G20 economies recorded accelerating growth rates in the second quarter of 2021: Italy (2.7%, from 0.2%), the United States (1.6%, from 1.5%), Mexico(1.5%, from 1.1%), China and Indonesia (1.3% in both countries, from 0.4% and 0.3%, respectively) and France(1.1%, from 0.0%).
Source: OECD
How Can Cities Tackle Climate Change & Biodiversity Loss in Nature-Smart Ways?
September 14, 2021--Every day, the world awakens to news of another heatwave, flood, drought, tropical cyclone, wildfire, or other climate-induced natural hazard. The new report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) gives a code-red climate warning, with a forecast for global warming of 1.5℃C by 2040.
The global community has grown ever more aware that biodiversity, climate change, economic prosperity, the well-being of people, and the health of the planet are interconnected.
And cities are of particular concern: They consume 78 percent of the world's energy and produce more than 70 percent of greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, seven of 10 people are projected to live in cities by 2050, so urban areas aren't just a contributor to climate and biodiversity challenges; they also have the unique opportunity to address them in a sustainable, lasting way.
Source: World Bank
Sustainable Financing and Investing Survey -Global Report
September 13, 2021--New roles and responsibilities for issuers and investors gains potency and permanence
The revolution in how companies and institutional investors see their role and responsibility on social and environmental issues has continued to gain strength and momentum in the past year.
Indeed, if the pandemic helped provoke a reassessment of the relationship the capital markets have with society, its participants are now actively redefining this relationship with sustainability increasingly at the core. Such profound change is evidenced in our fifth annual global survey of 2,000 capital markets issuers and institutional investors, conducted during May and June.
Powerfully, it shows that in addition to values underpinning why companies and investors care about these issues -89% of issuers and investors say they are important -the financial benefits of doing so are now recognised more widely than before. In fact, 51% believe that paying attention to these issues can help improve returns or reduce risk, which is the highest percentage in three years.
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Source: gbm.hsbc.com
Bassanese Bites-Stagflation
Global markets
U.S. stocks sagged last week-absent any clear trigger -reflecting general concerns with a combination of weakening growth due to delta, but also persistent pricing pressures due to lingering supply bottlenecks, or what some are already over-excitedly suggesting is a return to 'stagflation'.
To be sure, the Fed's Beige Book review on the economy did note a modest downshift in activity during August with fewer people travelling and eating out as delta cases mount. At the same time, business also reported cost pressures and difficulty in attracting staff. Add to the mix Friday's report of another solid gain in producer prices during August, and general commentary from Fed speakers suggesting most are still keen to announce a tapering in bond purchases by year-end despite short-run delta uncertainties.
Source: betashares.com.au
Demand for advice rises as not all investors go it alone
September 13, 2021--Alongside a surge in retail share trading, traditional and 'robo' advice is being sought
New share trading account openings have surged over the past year, against a backdrop of strong market gains and central bank support stimulus measures that have kept interest rates low- all of which have increased the risk tolerance of some retail investors.
Growing demand for advisory services in the wake of the pandemic has ignited a race among asset managers to acquire customers needing help to navigate volatile markets.
But the investment climate has also spurred demand for financial advice, via pure digital or "robo" services, as well as more hybrid models that combine technology with a human touch. view more
Source: ft.com
Crypto ETF assets treble as investors take risks
September 13, 2021--Regulators and advisers are divided on digital currency and 'inverse' funds
The bulk of the $9tn exchange traded funds industry consists of plain vanilla index trackers focused on mainstream assets. But a couple of much higher risk variants are now growing rapidly-albeit from a low base.
Source: ft.com
ETF inflows shoot past 2020's full-year record total
September 10, 2021--Worldwide net investor inflows reaches $834.2bn at the end of August
Inflows into exchange traded funds have surged past 2020's record total globally as enthusiasm for the low-cost vehicles accelerates, prompting growing numbers of traditional fund managers to launch their own ETFs.
Worldwide net investor inflows reached $834.2bn at the end of August, already surpassing the last year's total of $762.8bn. Rising markets and investments helped global assets held in ETFs to balloon to $9.7tn, more than double the $4.8tn managed in the funds and products at the end of 2018, according to the data provider ETFGI.
Source: ft.com
IOSCO Statement on Credit Sensitive Rates
September 8, 2021--The Board of the International Organisation of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) reiterates the importance of continued transition to robust alternative financial benchmarks, i.e., Risk-Free Rates, to mitigate potential risks arising from the cessation of LIBOR, including USD LIBOR.
IOSCO wishes to highlight those alternative financial benchmarks will need to be compliant with the IOSCO Principles on Financial Benchmarks (IOSCO Principles).
Benchmark administrators should be mindful that demonstrating compliance with the IOSCO Principles is not a one-time exercise and alternative benchmarks should be IOSCO compliant at all times.
In light of some alternatives being suggested, notably credit sensitive rates, IOSCO calls for greater attention to Principles 6 and 7. Principle 6 asks administrators to take into account the 'relative size of the underlying market in relation to the volume of trading'. Principle 7 emphasises 'data sufficiency in a benchmark's design to accurately and reliably represent the underlying market' measured by the benchmark. Therefore, in line with Principles 6 and 7, IOSCO calls on administrators to assess whether the systemic benchmarks that are used extensively are based on active markets with high volumes of transactions, representing the underlying interest they intend to measure and whether such benchmarks are resilient during times of stress.
Source: iosco.org
How to build smart, zero carbon buildings -and why it matters
September 8,2021-Buildings represent 39% of global greenhouse gas emissions;
Reducing carbon emissions in buildings will be critical to achieving net zero emissions by 2050;
Efficient, zero carbon buildings take advantage of available, cost-effective technology to reduce emissions while increasing health, equity and economic prosperity in local communities.
Reducing carbon emissions in buildings will be critical to achieving the Paris climate goals and achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
Buildings represent 39% of global greenhouse gas emissions, including 28% in operational emissions and 11% in building materials and construction.
Global building floorspace is projected to double by 2060 and only 3% of investment in new construction is green and efficient, locking in high emissions for decades. The renovation rate for existing buildings is barely 1%, less than a third of the rate needed to meet the Paris climate goals.
Source: World Economic Forum
IOSCO publishes guidance for intermediaries and asset managers using Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
September 7, 2021--The Board of the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) today published guidance to help its members regulate and supervise the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) by market intermediaries and asset managers, following its consultation report published in June.
The use of AI and ML may benefit market intermediaries, asset managers and investors by increasing the efficiency of existing processes, reducing the cost of investment services and freeing up resources for other activities. However, it may also create or amplify risks, potentially undermining financial market efficiency and harming consumers and other market participants.
Source: IOSCO
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