ISDA-Regulation of OTC derivatives markets: A comparison of EU and US initiatives
September 12, 2012--Both the EU and the US have now adopted the primary legislation which aims to fulfil the G20
commitments that all standardised over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives should be cleared through central
counterparties (CCPs) by end 2012 and that OTC derivatives contracts should be reported to trade repositories (and the related commitments to a common approach to margin rules for uncleared
derivatives transactions).
The US Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act was passed in July 2010 and the text of the EU Regulation on OTC Derivatives, CCPs and Trade Repositories (EMIR) was finally published in the Official Journal on 27 July 2012.
There is a significant commonality of approaches between EMIR and the Dodd-Frank Act in relation to the regulation of OTC derivatives markets, but there are also some significant differences. This paper summarises the way in which the two regimes treat different categories of counterparty and highlights certain other major differences between EMIR and the Dodd-Frank Act in relation to OTC derivatives regulation.
Source: ISDA
Platinum ETFs poised for record
September 12, 2012--Platinum assets held in exchange-traded products are poised to climb to a record as labor disputes in South Africa, the world's largest producer, threaten supplies of the metal that's used to make catalytic converters.
The amount held in ETPs was 45.727 metric tons yesterday, 1.3 percent below the peak of 46.316 tons in September 2011, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Holdings have risen 8.7 percent since a strike began on Aug. 10 at Lonmin Plc's Marikana operations in a dispute that's led to more than 40 deaths.
Source: MineWeb
September 11, 2012--Falling mortality rates to increase liabilities by 1%, actuaries warn
September 11, 2012--Revisions to Dutch mortality predictions could add another 1% to pension funds' liabilities, the Actuarial Society (AG) has warned.
After fine-tuning its estimate for the 2010-60 period, the AG found that mortality expectancy had seen a stronger downturn over the last two years than it had during the entire period between 1988 and 2010.
Source: IP&E
Brics bring new dynamic to globe
September 11, 2012--The Brics bloc has introduced a new dynamic to the world's political and economic systems, International Relations Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane said on Monday.
"We (Brics) also envision and work to realise a more equitable global political and economic system," she said at a business breakfast in Johannesburg hosted by The New Age newspaper.
Brics refers to the Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa group of large emerging market economies
Source: FIN24
NYSE Euronext Announces Trading Volumes For August 2012-Decline In Volatility Drives Trading Volumes Lower From Elevated August 2011 Levels
September 10, 2012-NYSE Euronext (NYX) today announced trading volumes for its global derivatives and cash equities exchanges for August 20121. Trading volumes in August 2012 declined year-over-year and month-over-month due to a decrease in volatility compared to August 2011 and the seasonally slower summer period.
In August 2011, trading volumes benefited from extreme market volatility in the U.S. and Europe.
Highlights
NYSE Euronext global derivatives ADV in August 2012 of 6.4 million contracts decreased 38.4% compared to August 2011 and decreased 8.6% from July 2012 levels.
NYSE Euronext European derivatives products ADV in August 2012 of 3.2 million contracts decreased 27.8% compared to August 2011 and decreased 6.2% from July 2012.
Source: NYSE Euronext
DCGX Academy:: INDIAN RUPEE : INR Recovers 3.6%, as FII put in $3.8B, Volatility reduces to 8.9% ATM 1M
September 10, 2012--INDIAN RUPEE:INR Recovers 3.6%, as FII put in $3.8B, Volatility reduces to 8.9% ATM 1M
COMMODITIES
INR Recovers 3.6% , as FII put in $3.8B, Volatility reduces to 8.9% ATM 1M
Gold ETF at a record 2,474.117 metric tons on Sept. 7
Oil Trades Near One-Week High on Outlook for Economic Stimulus
Copper Advances to 17-Week High on China, U.S. Stimulus Bets
GOLD
Gold, trading near a six-month high,rose for a third day on opinion central banks from the U.S. to China will increase stimulus as economic data disappoints. Palladium rallied to the highest level in four months. Cash gold rose as much as 0.3 % to $1,740.05 an ounce, and was at $1,739.75 at 9:43 a.m. in Singapore. The metal gained to $1,741.70 on Sept. 7, the most expensive since Feb. 29, after U.S. jobs growth in August trailed estimates. Assets in gold-backed exchange-traded products expanded to a record 2,474.117 metric tons on Sept. 7,. The U.S. economy added 96,000 workers last month compared with 130,000 forecast by economists adding to opinion the Federal Reserve may announce more measures this week. Reports yesterday showed China's industrial output grew at the slowest pace in three years and President Hu Jintao said that economic expansion faces "notable downward pressure," signaling more stimulus efforts may be needed. December-delivery gold was little changed at $1,741 an ounce on the Comex after most-active prices climbed to $1,745.40 on Sept. 7. A gauge of indicators of market expectations for additional Fed stimulus rose to 99 % in August, the highest ever, according to Citigroup Inc.
Source: DGCX Academy
BlackRock ETP Landscape: Defensive Sentiment Propels Flows
September 10,2012--Industry Highlights- August 2012
Net flows in August double the level of August 2011, as investors continue to tap ETPs for enhanced portfolio flexibility and diversity:
In August, the global exchange-traded product (ETP) industry attracted net assets of $12.1 billion, more than twice the $5.3 billion collected in August 2011,
despite lower overall trading volume. As of month end, global ETP assets totaled $1.76 trillion, compared with $1.72 trillion at month-end July and $1.58 trillion at the end of August 2011.
During the month, ETP investors showed an increased interest in Gold and Volatility ETPs. With gold a natural beneficiary of a low interest rate environment, flows into Gold ETPs reached their highest level in 2012, with $3.6 billion in net flows. Volatility ETPs, which seek to deliver returns correlated to measures of market volatility, attracted nearly $1 billion.
Source: BlackRock Investment Institute
ETFS Precious Metals Weekly:Precious Metals Jump as Investors Anticipate QE3 as Soon as This Week
September 10, 2012--Gold hits 6-mth high of $1740/oz as weak Non-Farm Payrolls report increases chance of Fed stimulus
Platinum supply uncertainty continues with South African industry in disarray as workers break union ranks
Key events to watch this week: FOMC in focus.
Platinum in Focus on Continued South African Labour Activism
The geographical concentration of platinum and palladium in areas known for their political instability, unreliable infrastructure and labour problems has traditionally exposed production to significant disruptions, subjecting prices and producers' margins to substantial fluctuations over time. The recent strike action at South African platinum mines has lifted the platinum price, sending it well past $1,500 to its highest level since early May. Recent events highlight the vulnerability of the PGM industry to labour unrest and raises questions about the sustainability of PGM production in the longer term.
visit www.etfsecurities.com for more info
Source: ETF Securities
EPFR Global Fund Data News-Investors lose appetite for government bonds and emerging market equity funds ahead of ECB meeting
September 7, 2012--With the summer holidays largely behind and key European Central Bank and US Federal Reserve meeting ahead, investors spent the first five days of September chasing yield, re-positioning their fixed income allocations for a further round of quantitative easing in the US and responding to the latest export numbers from Asia.
Those numbers show exports to the European Union down some 15% year-on-year in July and, within the region, shipments to China off as much as 12% in the case of Japan.
Against this backdrop investors pulled more than $1 billion from government bond funds across all durations and EPFR Global-tracked Asia ex-Japan Equity Funds posted their biggest weekly outflows since late 4Q11. Redemptions from Taiwan and India Equity Funds hit their highest level in over a year and Japan Equity funds posted outflows for the third straight week.
Overall, all EPFR Global-tracked Equity Funds surrendered a net $9.9 billion during the week ending Sept. 5, with Emerging Markets Equity Funds accounting for $1.8 billion of that total, while Bond Funds absorbed $3.19 billion and Money Market Funds $4.6 billion.
Visit http://www.epfr.com for more info
Source: EPFR Global
EPFR Global Fund Data-Investors lose appetite for government bonds and emerging market equity funds ahead of ECB meeting
September 7, 2012--With the summer holidays largely behind and key European Central Bank and US Federal Reserve meeting ahead, investors spent the first five days of September chasing yield, re-positioning their fixed income allocations for a further round of quantitative easing in the US and responding to the latest export numbers from Asia.
Those numbers show exports to the European Union down some 15% year-on-year in July and, within the region, shipments to China off as much as 12% in the case of Japan.
Against this backdrop investors pulled more than $1 billion from government bond funds across all durations and EPFR Global-tracked Asia ex-Japan Equity Funds posted their biggest weekly outflows since late 4Q11. Redemptions from Taiwan and India Equity Funds hit their highest level in over a year and Japan Equity funds posted outflows for the third straight week.
Overall, all EPFR Global-tracked Equity Funds surrendered a net $9.9 billion during the week ending Sept. 5, with Emerging Markets Equity Funds accounting for $1.8 billion of that total, while Bond Funds absorbed $3.19 billion and Money Market Funds $4.6 billion.
Visit http://www.epfr.com for more info
Source: EPFR Global