Singapore outpaced Hong Kong for sales of unit-linked investment and savings products in the first half of 2016. As the industry awaits third quarter data, Bryan Low of Provisca reflects on the trends seen in the figures so far.
There is a lot to worry about. From Aleppo to Zuma, geopolitical risk in all its forms dominates global headlines.
Saudi Arabia’s record debt sale last week showed that emerging market bonds remain in strong demand with yield-hungry investors. However, the question is whether appetite could reverse as quickly as it has in the past.
The death of the 30-year bond bull market that has formed the backdrop for most City careers has been predicted many times. It has yet to come to pass. But, if one were looking for signs that it is reaching an inflection point, the last seven days has proved a fertile hunting ground.
Massive, opportunistic M&A activity doesn’t tend to be a characteristic of the bottom of a cycle. Still-standing majors, snapping up capitulating minnows is common, but two behemoths joining forces is usually left for times when shares are expensive and can do a lot of the heavy lifting.
European Central Bank president Mario Draghi delivered a relatively short address after the October governing council meeting on Thursday which was light on substance, but there was something in his remarks that may worry investors.
Returns from alternative Ucits funds have been disappointing over the past couple of years. But perhaps fund selectors have to blame themselves for this.
With rising prices for fuel, restaurants and hotel rooms pushing up UK inflation, is it any great surprise we’re all staying at home watching Netflix?
2016 has been a good year for commodities. Year-to-date, the FTSE World Mining index is up just less than 56% in dollar terms, while the FTSE oil and gas index is up just less than 20%.
Amid all the claim and counter-claim, it may be difficult to take a clear-eyed view of the policies of the presidential candidates ahead of the US election in November, however much we know about their private lives.
ECB intervention has pushed European corporate bond yields down to unrealistic levels. It may therefore be a good idea to buy some sterling credit, regardless of how the Brexit saga will play out.
As budding financial detectives seek the culprit for last week’s ‘flash crash’ in sterling, others are reminded of crises past.
