No More Learning

Vietnam and Myanmar highlighted the Obama administration’s respective foreign policy breakthroughs with the Trans-Pacific Partnership and military-civilian rule transition, but questionable human rights and economic policies were likewise prominent to underscore near-term business and financial community skepticism.

Prime Minister Abe attempted to promote joint stimulus as he presented a faltering global recovery scenario hinting at a 2008 crisis repeat. US and European representatives dismissed the scaremongering as they focused on their own regional issues, including elections, the EU refugee influx, and Greece’s interminable bailout. Asian security problems featured such as Beijing’s claims in the South China Sea and North Korea’s nuclear missile launch, but the economic agenda largely revolved around more specific structural reform pledges. In Japan’s case corporate governance and labor market flexibility moves will go further, according to officials, but the immediate linchpins of its growth package are consumption tax delay and public works rebuilding in earthquake areas. This strategy kept local financial asset sentiment negative as fund managers considered boosting neighboring emerging market bond and equity allocation. Despite negative bond yields at home, banks and insurers have preferred other industrial country instrument abroad with low returns, and in stocks individual investor fund positions continue to show outflows as so-called Mrs. Watanabes have been burned continuously on currency swings.

Both Vietnam and Myanmar have cozied up to the US, Japan and Europe to distance themselves from the Chinese economic and geopolitical orbit, but the entire Mekong region also blames Beijing for aggravating its original El Nino-induced drought. The water level in the main river artery is at a century low, and Vietnam’s rice output was down 10 % in the last quarter as GDP growth slipped under the 6 % preliminary forecast. Farmers accuse China of blocking irrigation with its gate control over hydroelectric dams, and many also use pesticide that damages crops and the environment, according to experts. At the same time, the state-owned rice trading and export apparatus has deep job and patronage tentacles defying change, and it would be among the last candidates under the country’s phased TPP commitment to privatization. Free labor practices are also to be adopted within 5 years of treaty ratification to replace the current worker union monopoly. With rising wages strikes are more frequent and the government has been quick to crack down on activist members. During President Obama’s visit such advocates were reportedly in detention, angering congressional members who accompanied him as they prepare to vote on the free-trade pact, which will enlarge Vietnam’s economy 10% in the coming decades, the World Bank estimates.

Vietnamese three hundred listed stocks have been flat for the year with the mixed messages, but investor enthusiasm still far exceeds Myanmar’s new exchange with its one company available. Aung San Suu Kyi wields ultimate power and is said to have a 100-day plan with scant economic details. Coincident with President Obama’s G-7 swing the US left individually-targeted commercial and banking sanctions in place. The IMF slashed the growth projection to 7 percent and decried persistent high budget deficits and inflation, with the battle there barely begun.

Global Reserves’ Ingrained Erosion Tread
2016 June 2 by admin

Posted in: General Emerging Markets
Since mid- 2015 through February emerging market foreign exchange reserves tumbled another $650 billion to $8. 5 trillion including China as valuation effects have disappeared with the softer dollar, according to JP Morgan research. The mainland accounted for $500 billion of the loss as the industrial world $2. 5 trillion total was steady. Commodity prices continued to decline but the main driver was risk aversion reflected in persistent private capital outflow. Positions fell in Hungary, Malaysia, South Africa, Turkey and Brazil the past year and a half, while Russia, Chile, Peru and Thailand started to recover. Korea, Mexico and Poland were solid until recent weakness. China’s monthly drawdown improved from $100 billion and turned positive in April with a $7 billion gain, but the cumulative drop the past two years is 20 percent to $3. 2 trillion, and the capital account reduction is estimated at $700 billion by end-2016, which will be only half covered by the current account surplus. India in contrast continues to rise on reduced commodity important costs and a foreign direct and portfolio investment spike following Modi administration liberalization policies. Fluctuations in the leading reserve currencies like the euro, yen and pound along with the dollar no longer have a net impact, whereas from mid- 2014/15 they explained almost the entire reversal. While trade balances remain in surplus following the developing economy trend over the last decade and a half, capital inflows that had accompanied it became the opposite, and domestic banks and companies also unwound debt exposure and trading positions based on exchange rate appreciation assumptions.

The $1 trillion outflow in the year to February was twice the blow experienced during the 2008-09 global financial crisis, the analysis remarks. With the oil price plunge Middle East central bank holdings are off $200 billion, but the reduction represents just 15 percent of the universe. Russia as another top producer and the rest of OPEC lost another $325 billion, still less than one-third the total since 2014. Should commodity values stabilize, reserves could rebound 5-10 percent as both earnings and global risk appetite return. IMF adequacy measures show most core countries above the 100 percent of external short-term debt and four months imports thresholds, although Argentina and Chile are at the margin. Broader standards that include M2 and portfolio liabilities put Asian members China, India and Malaysia in danger. China’s story remains murky as it reports only $1 trillion in reserve breakdown under its new statistical transparency commitment from SDR inclusion. The dollar and euro global reserve shares were 65 percent and 20 percent at end-2015, with the yen constant and the Aussie dollar and pound up marginally before their respective election and EU referendum calls.

UK departure in the June vote would eventually slash cohesion funds available to Eastern Europe members like Hungary and Poland, and the latter would also be hit by immigration restrictions with the large community of expatriate service workers there. British citizens in turn would face open-travel curbs on the continent, which could divert them to Mideast tourist destinations provided political tension subsides on their own issues.

« OLDER ENTERIESNEWER ENTERIES »


Management
Research
Services
Blog
Contact
Blog
You are here: Home » Blog

img_researchTags:




Africa (106)

Asia (195)

Currency Markets (9)

Europe (167)

Fund Flows (27)

General Emerging Markets (162)

Global Banking (19)

IFIs (33)

Latin America/Caribbean (156)

MENA (112)

The Treasury’s New Currency Interference Signal
2016 May 24 by admin

Posted in: Asia, Currency Markets
The US Treasury Department issued the first version of its periodic currency manipulation report under 2015 trade enforcement legislation overriding the 30 year-old Omnibus Competitiveness Act, which details specific criteria and remedial action triggers in response to the long China debate and congressional consideration of binding guidelines in the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership. Five countries were named to the “monitoring list,” including Germany outside Asia in view if its second highest global 8 percent of GDP current account surplus, 5 percent above the qualifying threshold under the process. The other two perquisites are a minimum $20 billion bilateral trade surplus and annual net reserve buying of more than 2 percent of GDP. Analysis then turns to potential undervaluation and investment limits, and if they exist the Treasury Secretary must first engage in consultations and after a year take measures that could include federal government contracting suspension, increased IMF surveillance, or trade pact retaliation. These responses are not automatic and can be waived on cost or national security grounds. The monitored countries are not yet at this stage and other emerging economies including Brazil, Mexico and India are regularly under review. China is a perennial feature with a $350 billion 3 percent of GDP current account surplus last year, the first one at that level since 2010. It sold foreign exchange reserves to miss that criterion and the currency was “more market-determined” in contrast to previous declarations of aggressive devaluation. Japan made the surplus cut but has not intervened for four years, although the Treasury warned that even with recent wide swings the dollar yen market was “orderly” and thus should be left alone under current G-20 commitments. Korea was admonished for several years of anti-appreciation operations beyond allowable “disorderly conditions” and put on notice that it among the group could soon enter the next anti-manipulation phase.

Taiwan had the largest surplus at almost 15 percent of GDP and accumulated more than 2 percent in reserves but the bilateral imbalance fell short of $20 billion. Germany had not before been a currency policy target and its Eurozone surplus too was 3 percent, which was labeled “excess saving that could support domestic demand and global rebalancing. ” The IMF separately was at odds with German officials over Greece’s fiscal retrenchment needed to stay in the single currency and unlock the delayed portion of last year’s EUR 85 billion package. It also reiterated the concept of debt relief as the burden hovers at 200 percent of GDP five years after consecutive EU rescues and private bond restructurings. The main state banks must be recapitalized once again as deposit leakage continues, and Prime Minister’s threatened resort to another public referendum on actions came up empty. The new exchange rate enforcement provisions got 75 percent bipartisan backing before the presidential election campaign went into full swing with the issue particularly in play from respective Democratic and Republican contenders Sanders and Trump. Both oppose Pacific free trade and have been harsh on Chinese currency practice despite the latest findings, with Beijing again memorialized as a master manipulator.

The Asian Development Bank’s Anxious Anniversary Angles
2016 May 24 by admin

Posted in: Asia
The Asian Development Bank marked 50 years of operation at its annual meeting in Frankfurt, symbolizing its diverse shareholder and co-financing base as credit and technical assistance lines were a record $27 billion in 2015. Among the regional official lenders it has been particularly aggressive in climate change projects with a promise to double medium-term exposure toward $5 billion. The celebration joy was muted by the latest economic growth forecast for relatively flat performance with subdued Chinese and global demand and perilous monetary policies, with Southeast Asia holding the line at 4. 5percent following a dismal 0. 5 percent first quarter showing in Korea which helped prompt ruling party majority loss in April parliamentary elections. President Park’s popularity had long been waning with her authoritarian style, and she faces the last year and a half of her term with lame-duck status. Exports and consumption fell before the poll, with the latter stifled by household debt at 150 percent of GDP. Her party’s campaign platform called for monetary and fiscal stimulus, with a local version of “quantitative easing” a centerpiece, but these plans will now be shelved indefinitely with the opposition Minjoo and the new swing People’s Party in control. Targeted tax cuts and infrastructure spending may still be in the mix as the central government tries to regain political momentum from cities that have embarked on building and social transfer schemes. The won has occasionally wobbled with Northern missile tests and border skirmishes but the current account surplus offers support and the short-term hard currency debt/ reserves ratio is manageable unlike the immediate post-2008 period. Regular central bank intervention continues but it has not yet been criticized outright by the US Treasury Department to invite potential trade backlash as the TPP pact stays in congressional limbo during the presidential primary season.

In Singapore as well an expansionary budget was proposed and enacted to boost growth and tackle deflation, with health care and transport priorities to aid the lower-income and elderly population. However shipbuilding remains in a funk and home prices have declined two years in a row without bank mortgage restrictions relief on the horizon. Blue-chip stock market listings like DBS are at single-digit price-earnings values with property correction and reportedly luring bargain-hunters. Across the strait Malaysian shares, up over 10 percent on the MSCI Index through March, were hit as controversial state fund 1MDB defaulted on a $50 million bond payment to an Abu Dhabi holder. Multiple jurisdictions continue to investigate missing accounts, with the Swiss alleging as much as $5 billion may be at stake. Prime Minister Rezak has swatted away resignation pleas from his own party but his brother was forced to step aside as chief executive of top Islamic bank CIMB. A new central bank head was named and was expected to cut rates before the latest twist in the saga, with GDP growth running at 3. 5 percent. Portfolio outflows have stabilized and 45 percent foreign ownership of local bonds is the highest in the region. Household and corporate debt at 90 percent and 70 percent of GDP respectively also are the steepest and should jangle policymaker nerves amid the scandal’s confidence blow, according to an IMF spring meeting report.

Kazakhstan’s Harried House Cleaning Claim
2016 May 18 by admin

Posted in: Europe
Kazakhstan equities tried to end their MSCI frontier index loss following a sovereign ratings downgrade and bad loan uptick toward double-digits, as foreign exchange-denominated mortgage holders demanded post-tenge devaluation compensation in rare public displays challenging President Nazrarbaev’s policies. His Nur-Otan party again got 80 percent of votes in recent parliamentary elections, as the allowed opposition won half a dozen seats in the 100-member chamber. Even with an oil price bump recession will linger this year, especially with lethargy in China taking one-fifth of exports. Kashagan field production will not notably expand until 2017, as the state and foreign partners still haggle over contractual obligations. The IMF weighed in with a gloomy near-term Central Asia forecast on the 25th anniversary of independence for both commodity suppliers and buyers, with the high-single digit typical growth rates associated with post-communist takeoff a distant memory. It recommended a new generation of structural reforms and diversified consumer and industrial push but acknowledged worker skills and technology handicaps and higher unemployment risk with migrant return from Russia as Western trade and financial sanctions stretch another year. However the Kremlin may be hedging its bets as President Putin praised likely US Republican Party nominee Trump as a future counterpart after the candidate voiced his own admiration. A close advisor to the contender was a political consultant to ousted Ukraine leader Yakunovych and other regional authoritarians. Oil ties have sustained the bilateral relationship between Washington and Astana, but recent diplomatic developments with neighbors suggest future fraying. Azerbaijan’s President Aliev was greeted with a cold shoulder on an April visit, and Kyrgyzstan’s prime minister was forced to resign after offshore account revelations from the “Panama papers” raised international ire.

Ukraine shares improved in contrast with cabinet reshuffling, with an ally of President Poroshenko slated to succeed Prime Minister Yatsenuk, who failed to muster domestic or foreign confidence and unlock the next $1. 5 billion slice of IMF funding. Finance Minister Jaresko, a former fund manager who negotiated the sovereign bond restructuring with payment delays and reductions, also left as high-profile corporate borrowers like DTEK tabled their own creditor deals. Output collapsed 10 percent in 2015, but industrial and retail activity has turned positive and with a good harvest could restore growth. The central bank lowered the benchmark interest rate to 20 percent with kinder inflation and devaluation, and has won development lender kudos for a tough stance on regulation and consolidation closing dozens of institutions.

Mongolia looked to avoid both Russia and China sway with a new India financing arrangement on preparation for June elections, where investors favor Prime Minister Saikhanbileg’s Democratic Party. He barely overcame a no-confidence motion after approving the $4. 5 second phase development of the giant Oyu Tolgoi mine, due to launch in coming months and catalyze further FDI. Capital goods imports for the project will continue the balance of payments deficit, as growth halves to a projected 1 percent in 2016. The opposition People’s Party may again campaign on an anti-mine and hefty social spending platform, as weak consumption reflected in banking and property setbacks prompts populist herd instinct.

Ecuador’s IMF Post-Earthquake Rumblings
2016 May 18 by admin

Posted in: Latin America/Caribbean
Ecuador bonds slumped after an almost 8 scale temblor and aftershock killed hundreds and the government put the rebuilding tab at $ 3 billion or 3 percent of GDP, spurring rumors that it may turn to the IMF for long-term support after other official sources came up short. President Correa had hinted at another external debt issue before the disaster, but investors were demanding near double-digit yields with oil export-related recession predicted this year and the fiscal deficit goal already raised to 3. 5 percent of GDP on an assumed $25/barrel price. A $1 billion compensation payment to Occidental Petroleum increased the burden and was offset by initial spending cuts and new taxes, but other contractor arrears are estimated at $2 billion. China extended a $900 million loan and was on track to offer several billion more before the earthquake according to officials. The Inter-American Development Bank and other providers immediately chipped in $650 million to repair damage, and corporate income tax and VAT rates were hiked alongside temporary earnings and wealth levies, the latter applying to assets over $1 million. The President indicated possible sale of state holdings and bond market return for additional funding, but with elections a year away as he prepares to position a successor a full IMF program would seem politically remote although limited emergency facilities could be tapped. He is also touting friendlier joint venture arrangements to secure immediate cash as with a Schlumberger project in 2015, and downplaying the virtual currency alternative to the dollar enshrined in recent law. However the once united sub-regional socialist bloc has splintered with crises and fresh free market leadership in Argentina and Venezuela, and Bolivia’s resounding rejection of another term for President Morales despite opinion approval above 50 percent. His party has been embroiled in scandals, and economic growth may slip to 3 percent this year on hydrocarbons and mining industry decline. The trade surplus disappeared and reserves dropped to $12. 5 billion in March as the central bank defended the overvalued currency. A $6 billion public investment campaign will absorb the slack, but the fiscal gap could further widen after it approached 7 percent of GDP in 2015. The IMF’s latest Article IV report recommended exchange rate flexibility to cushion internal and external imbalances, and now that the election referendum is over Finance and Planning Ministry technocrats may consider changes.

Paraguay’s sovereign rating is at the same “BB” with a former business executive as president committed to diversification from agricultural reliance and bureaucratic reduction. Financial services grew over 12 percent last year with such encouragement as the trade surplus hit 1. 5 percent of GDP in January-February. Soybean sales continue soft after a 30 percent plunge in 2015, but energy import savings are steady. Infrastructure building is expected to spur capital goods demand and weakness in Brazil, a main commercial partner, will erode exports. Inflation may outstrip output growth this year at 5 percent due to higher food and education costs as industries like hospitality take off to supplement the longstanding beef diet.

Brazil’s Timorous Temer Transfer
2016 May 11 by admin

Posted in: Latin America/Caribbean
Brazilian stocks extended their 30 percent MSCI topping climb as the House handily reached the two-thirds majority to recommend President Rousseff’s impeachment on budget manipulation grounds, setting the stage for her defense and Senate consideration up to a six-month period while Vice President Temer occupies the post. She labeled the action a coup and called Workers party members into the streets for support, and visited New York in an attempt to mobilize UN outrage against the “undemocratic” push. Temer’s PMDB party had already left the ruling coalition and he reportedly sent feelers to well-known past economic policymakers about serving in the interim administration under a business-friendly platform. The opposition PSDB associated with a free-market approach initially spurned the advances, but the presumed President-to-be, himself still facing criminal investigation, has vowed a “national unity regime. Commodities and the currency likewise strengthened in March, with the real above 4/dollar as the central bank intervened to curb further pressure and inflation moderated to projected high single digits with the depreciation trend pause. The fiscal deficit at 10 percent and public debt toward 70 percent of GDP remain stubborn in contrast with states, including Rio soon to host the Summer Olympics, getting debt relief in the form of 20-year longer maturity and 40 percent reduced monthly installments. Governors have appealed to the Supreme Court for additional savings by arguing they should pay simple rather than compound interest which could entail another $90 billion in lost revenue. Banks have thus far been spared major crisis fallout but the courts have also ruled they must compensate depositors for miscalculations during the hyperinflation era decades ago. However creditors may soon be stung by a spate of high-profile corporate bankruptcies in a wide industry range, including the $15 billion default by airline Oi, which has far-flung operations and foreign bondholders trying to organize as a single committee. They will test new Brazilian insolvency procedures as the offshore market has yet to reopen with the continuing travails of bellwether quasi-sovereign borrower Petrobras. Finance Minister Barbosa made the rounds of the Inter-American Development banks and IMF-World bank meetings with an air of reassurance pension and social security spending would finally be pared, but investors were skeptical of any near-term dramatic shift amid deepening recession with output due to drop 4 percent.

Mexico was dragged into the pension mess as the government agreed to assume Pemex liabilities under the private participation transition plan, which factored into a Moody’s negative outlook downgrade on fiscal consolidation delay. First quarter GDP growth was 2. 5 percent, with slack industrial production countering good car and retail sales. Inflation is around the same level, and the central bank is expected to stay on hold with the US Federal Reserve. Pemex’s chief executive toured the US to drum up interest after an estimated $30 billion loss last year, but joint venture partners are wary until the global oil price stabilizes and bond investors await asset sales to burnish the balance sheet. Finance Minister Videgary was on the road show after his reputation was tarnished by a suspect property deal as President Pena Nieto’s team struggles to solidify anti-corruption and drug credentials, with missing university students allegedly impeached at the sad source.



Stock Markets’ Sodden Sudden Upbeat Air
2016 May 4 by admin

Posted in: General Emerging Markets
All core stock markets on the MSCI Index were up through April with the exception of single-digit losses in China, India, Greece and Qatar for a 5 percent composite gain, while frontier performance was barely positive at 1 percent with an even split between winners and losers, with Argentina, Estonia, Morocco and Tunisia ahead double-digits. Peru will be demoted to the latter roster after a 40 percent rise with its three illiquid stocks, despite an official tour to world financial capitals in an effort to keep its place. It also endured public relations bonds setback as holders of decades ago defaulted agricultural instruments placed international ads criticizing recent judicial decisions and pointing out the ability to cover a much larger chunk than authorized under the court formula. The Andean group including Chile and Colombia advanced almost 25 percent but Brazil paced Latin America with a 40 percent run with Vice President Temer and a technocrat economic team slated to take power over the course of the President’s impeachment defense and the Rio Summer Olympics. In an outgoing nod to Workers Party supporters she increased budget provisions for the popular family social transfer program that helped win re-election, and her allies have mooted proposals for fresh pools as a way around the controversial removal process. In Asia Thailand (+15 percent) led followed by Indonesia and Malaysia at 9 percent, while the Philippines girded for presidential elections with a law and order mayor and adopted daughter of a former president as front-runners. GDP growth continues to motor along at 6 percent, but overseas worker remittances may have definitively peaked with a new cycle as Persian Gulf hosts in particular emphasize youth local employment. In Europe, Hungary, Russia and Turkey climbed over 20 percent, with Budapest sustaining its 2015 outperformance despite bourse takeover by the central bank, which is under fire from watchdogs at home and abroad for poor account disclosure and management practice. Russia’s play is on low single-digit valuations for top listings and the prospects of further partial divestitures and sanctions easing. Istanbul was buoyed by a credible new central bank chief promoted from deputy, on solid 3 percent growth and a multi-year exchange modernization plan for more sophisticated products and cross-border listings.

In frontier markets Saudi Arabia’s 1 percent decline was minor compared to neighbors, but the further relaxation of entry and ownership limits under the qualified foreign investor scheme met with little enthusiasm awaiting initiatives such as a future Aramco offering previewed under the Prince’s long-term economy strategy prepared with global consultants. In Eastern Europe Ukraine turned positive with the government reshuffle raising the odds of IMF aid release, while Kazakhstan plunged 12 percent on ratings downgrades and worse loan trouble in the property sector. Ghana and Nigeria were both down over 15 percent, as the former tries to uphold its Fund program fiscal fix and the latter dismisses any such resort with its no-devaluation stance while asking the World Bank for short-term project support. Jamaica, last year’s frontier winner also fell negative through April as the narrowly-elected administration tries to woo the business community on a US trip at a time when tourism excitement is minimal and drifting toward fresh destinations like Cuba.

Local Bonds’ Long Term Loss Lull
2016 May 3 by admin

Posted in: General Emerging Markets
The latest edition of JP Morgan’s local bond market guide coincided with a Q1 index upswing over 10 percent in dollar terms, breaking a negative string since the 2013 Federal Reserve taper tantrum despite an average annual 7. 5 percent gain the past dozen years. Currency fluctuation rather than carry has been the main loss component, and the Sharpe ratio over time has been roughly the same as other global asset classes. The average yield is now 6. 5 percent and commodity exporters in Latin America have been the worst performers, while importers in good current account positions like Poland and the Philippines led advancers. Real effective exchange rates by standard formulas peaked a year ago, and returns should stay positive but may flag in coming months with budget and balance of payments deficits across a country swathe. Since the 2008 crisis government domestic debt has risen 12 percent to 45 percent of GDP, and at over $6 trillion local bonds are almost half the developing market debt universe. China alone is $1. 5 trillion, almost the same as in all Latin America with Brazil $1 trillion of that amount. India, Korea and Mexico range from $350 billion-$700 billion, and Turkey is the largest Europe location at $150 billion. The GBI-EM benchmark comprises 15 countries with $900 billion outstanding, and gross issuance was near $1. 5 trillion in 2015, 60 percent from the top five markets. This year volume will be steady but Asia’s share should increase outside China, according to the publication.

Local banks, pension funds and insurers are the majority investors, but foreign ownership is close to $600 billion or 30 percent of the total on average. In Brazil holdings declined 15 percent since 2013, while they doubled in Colombia and the Czech Republic. Local debt fund outflows persisted over Q1 at -3. 5 billion and were offset by hard currency inflows, for a $1 billion overall allocation in comparison with the record $15 billion exit last year. Dedicated positioning remains underweight, and the domestic portion of fixed-income portfolios has dropped to 40 percent. New market expansion has generated interest and may eventually warrant index inclusion, with Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Croatia, Kenya and Argentina on the list. Bid-offer spreads have widened reflecting business and regulatory constraints on market-makers, and Brazil, Mexico and India instruments were the most frequently traded in EMTA’s latest survey. Currency pegs continue to be adjusted or broken, with further devaluation likely for Egypt’s pound and Nigeria’s naira.

Inflation-linked bonds are popular in Israel, Turkey, Chile and Colombia at one-fifth or more of the total, and in Asia Korea and Thailand have launched activity. Corporate bond stock including state-related and policy issuers approaches $6 trillion as well, with quasi-sovereigns half the universe dominated by China. Liquidity and access are limited in the large Asian markets with capital controls in place and the absence of Euroclear tie-up. Domestic bank loans far exceed bonds with corporate and household lines at 85 percent of GDP. In the Middle East Morocco and Tunisia retain overall foreign investor restriction, while Colombia’s tax regime is among the most onerous, with separate transaction and 15 percent withholding and capital gains levies despite a respite from even harsher earlier treatment.

Tunisia’s Jumbled Jasmine Revolt Reset
2016 May 3 by admin

Posted in: MENA
Tunisian stocks led the MSCI Frontier Index at end-March with a 15 percent jump, as it moved to finalize another IMF program and fresh Eurobond issue despite a “stalled transition” in the view of a Carnegie Endowment project calling for revamped aid and investment partnership. After jobless riots in the capital and rural towns the prime minister responded that the government had “no magic wand” with the state payroll already bloated with 800,000 employees to foster a 5 percent of GDP budget gap. The lack of career prospects pushes youth into cross-border smuggling with Libya and ISIS recruitment in Iraq and Syria, where the country supplies the largest external force. Militants have also attacked tourist sites at home, with revenue accounting for 15 percent of the economy off one-third in 2015. Estimated GDP growth this year is 1. 5 percent and February inflation was 3. 5 percent. World Bank President Kim visited before the Spring Meetings with a $5 billion 5-year lending proposal for banking and business reform that will also facilitate Libyan refugee absorption. The Fund successor facility will be for almost $3 billion over four years to address current account and fiscal imbalances, and the US and France separately pledged bilateral assistance. Washington doubled its annual package to $135 million, and already backs a venture capital fund and sovereign bonds, with an intensified focus on tracing billions of dollars in hidden assets of the ousted Ben Ali family. The ruling coalition, a combination of Islamic, secular and trade union parties, is at odds over anti-corruption and spending policies, as state company and bank cleanups languish. Privatization has limited political support and recapitalization of government lenders failed to pare the 15 percent bad loan ratio. New tax, investment, bankruptcy and competition laws are stuck in lengthy parliamentary debate, as key phosphate exports suffer from strikes and low global prices. The central bank now maintains the benchmark interest rate above inflation, but continues to drain reserves, covering only four months imports, to defend the currency peg.

The Carnegie paper notes that on its fifth Arab Spring anniversary the “experiment is in jeopardy” with a pattern of promise and disappointment. Official bureaucracy is overweening, infrastructure projects remain blocked, and historic advances in women’s rights may be eroded despite constitutional recognition. At the Deauville G8 summit in Deauville France $25 billion in aid was outlined but less than one-third that sum has materialized with donor budget and recipient capacity constraints. Civil service automation and rationalization is long overdue, and parliament lacks staff and equipment. Better coordination and fast track mechanisms can inject momentum, alongside EU and US free trade agreements. The business and financial communities should further weigh in on the new 5-year economic plan and advocate for customs and foreign exchange law modernization, according to the document. Credit access, especially for small and midsize firms is a paramount issue inviting more private sector banking competition and non-bank stock and bond market development. With a tentative deal between Libyan factions on a unity government, Tunisia can also position as a reconstruction base for next door oil recovery and other operations estimated to cost $10 billion, provided it rebuilds domestic policy concentration and confidence, the survey suggests.

The IIF’s Capital Flow Vertigo Trance
2016 April 25 by admin

Posted in: Fund Flows
The IIF shed early year gloom but referred to a continued capital flow “roller coaster ride” for the 30 countries its survey tracks, with the net outflow projection shaved to $500 billion from $750 billion last year as non-resident allocation turned positive in March. Equities are up 25 percent from the 2016 bottom and local currency bonds have regained favor with dollar plateauing, but the rebound may be due to general risk sentiment rather than specific economic improvements.
Chinese renimbi and oil price stabilization and looser European and Japanese monetary policies have contributed to recovery, along with isolated stories like a decent budget in India and market re-entry with a record $15 billion bond offer in Argentina to pay holdout creditors and cover the fiscal deficit. Valuations and investor positioning were at extreme lows in January, with sovereign bonds offering yield pickup over zero and negative industrial country returns, and a 10 point difference in cyclically-adjusted price-earnings ratios between emerging and mature markets. However in external corporate bonds the discount argument is less compelling versus US high yield, especially with the amount outstanding touching 100 percent of GDP. Currencies may still be undervalued in real effective terms and volatility has also declined in recent months as an exposure argument. The outlook assumes the Federal Reserve will stay cautious on rate increases in light of global economic lethargy, reflected in IMF and World Bank growth downgrades during their spring meetings. Non-resident private inflows should more than double to $550 billion from 2015’s $250 billion, the worst in a dozen years. China and the rest of Asia in particular should experience a turnaround, but both FDI and bank lending will soften for all regions and Russia, Turkey and Ukraine will get $10 billion less than originally forecast. The combined current account surplus will fall from $265 billion to $220 billion as Asian and Gulf exporters lose reserves at a “more manageable pace. ” Euro area banks have retrenched from developing markets and international claims are down 10 percent since 2014 to around $3 trillion, with only Japanese loans rising. In Q1 syndicated activity was off 50 percent from the same period last year, and the IIF’s conditions index shows further tightening below the 50 level.

A separate section looks at Chinese reserves “great unwinding” which accelerated in 2015’s second half with a $425 billion drop. The main contributors were company dollar debt repayment and offshore Yuan deposit shrinkage, but unrecorded transactions in the errors and omissions account were also notable. FDI remained positive in that period at $150 billion, but portfolio debt and equity numbers were negative. Cross-border loans and deposits each were off $100 billion, often coming through Hong Kong subsidiaries of mainland banks. Foreign liabilities remain $1. 4 trillion according to official statistics often in the form of trade credit, and Chinese individual and corporate outward investment further swelled under the One-Belt One-Road program and personal savings access up to $50,000 annually. Export-import discrepancies came to $700 billion in trade data with under-invoicing still widespread. The analysis concludes that even with an additional slide to $3 trillion, reserves would be sufficient to cover short-term obligations and defuse serious currency depreciation according to IMF measures, despite another loop on the gravity-defying journey.

Peru’s Mountainous Fujimori Expedition
2016 April 25 by admin

Posted in: Latin America/Caribbean
Peru stocks and bonds spurted further after double-digit Q1 jumps as investor favorite and former Finance Minister and private equity manager Pedro Pablo Kucyzynski squeaked past leftist candidate Mendoza for second place with 25 percent in first round presidential elections behind front-runner Fujimori with 40 percent. The early June runoff could be a cliffhanger with opinion polls showing a clear generational divide with PPK 35 years older, and split over the legacy of Fujimori’s father who defeated guerilla insurgency but remains in prison over corruption convictions. Should his daughter win she may try to get release on old age grounds while steering clear of an outright pardon. Her party is set to get the largest representation in Congress, but both contenders share a centrist business-friendly platform. PPK has deliberately downplayed his elite background with a rural voter appeal on both commercial mining and community impact grounds, and the perceived credibility of the balance could be decisive for the outcome. The central bank predicts 4 percent GDP growth despite commodity and construction weakness, while inflation should come down from 2015’s 4. 5 percent with fading El Nino and currency depreciation shocks. Foreign investors have cut local debt exposure 20 percent as a fraction of the total with the sol at a decade low against the dollar. The benchmark rate was steady at 4. 25 percent in March after a bank reserve requirement hike, and tightening may be off the table during the election period with populist spending scenarios averted.

Venezuelan President Maduro in contrast has only a 30 percent approval rating with half of respondents ready to oust him in a recall process before his term ends in 2019. He declared Fridays off to save scarce power with violent crime resulting in record kidnapping and murder. The procedural and practical obstacles to a formal removal bid have prevented a united opposition front even as parties control a majority in the legislature. The vice president who would assume power is a relative moderate, but the judiciary still allied with the regime could overturn action or the military could intervene to preempt it. The top economy official Abad introduced changes in the multi-tier currency system which increased flows to the mid-range DICOM platform at almost 300 bolivar/dollar, although the allocation was less than one-tenth the total with state oil company proceeds still sheltered. PDVSA continues to insist debt restructuring will be avoided while a voluntary liability exercise is an option approaching lumpy year-end repayments.

Offshore haven Panama got a black eye as GDP growth slipped to 4. 5 percent with lower free zone activity and law firm foreign head of state and celebrity account data was leaked to a global investigative journalism network. Canal toll receipts rose slightly under a new structure and expansion should be complete by mid-year after contract complications and building delays. Tourism was expected to rise almost 10 percent this year according to industry projections but the notoriety associated with the tax avoidance revelations may spur a boycott, President Varela and top ministers rushed to defend the hub’s reputation in international media despite the uphill near-term public opinion slope.

« OLDER ENTERIESNEWER ENTERIES »


Management
Research
Services
Blog
Contact
Blog
You are here: Home » Blog

img_researchTags:




Africa (106)

Asia (195)

Currency Markets (9)

Europe (167)

Fund Flows (27)

General Emerging Markets (162)

Global Banking (19)

IFIs (33)

Latin America/Caribbean (156)

MENA (112)

Mozambique’s Seared Tuna Platter
2016 April 19 by admin

Posted in: Africa
Lusophone African investors were dismayed by the revelations and terms surrounding Mozambique’s state tuna company for sovereign bond exchange, as neighboring Angola signaled interest in an IMF program after March rating agency credit watch notice for its own “B” status. The original fishing fleet funds raised were reportedly diverted for naval protection, and Credit Suisse as a lead underwriter also piled on undisclosed short-term loans. The local currency depreciated 50 percent against the dollar the past year, as external debt rose to $9. 5 billion or 65 percent of GDP. The fiscal deficit is stuck at 5 percent, and the outsize current account hole reflects extreme import dependence. The April swap will create a new 7-year instrument to allow time for natural gas production to come on line, but end-decade pricing may not be favorable when operations are in full swing, according to commodity and technical experts. Oil-reliant Angola is in trouble with comparable currency devaluation and 20 percent inflation, as the central bank pushed the policy rate to 14 percent at end-March. The upper target number has been breached, and officials foresee a swing toward single digits ahead of 2017 elections. President dos Santos announced he will leave the post and leadership of the ruling MPLA party the following year, with his son, chief of the sovereign wealth fund, already telegraphed as a likely successor. The top family has worked to maintain good ties with China despite controversy over loan for infrastructure schemes where local workers were hardly used and allegedly abused. Human rights and anti-poverty campaigners have focused on political opponent crackdowns and widening income inequality between a small business elite and the rest of the country, which added a risk premium for a recent external bond issue at 9 percent yield.

Ghana accessed the market in late 2015 with a World Bank guarantee and is again testing the waters in a non-deal roadshow around the Spring Bretton Woods institution annual meetings. A 3-year $900 million IMF arrangement is designed to control the runaway budget and current account deficits over 7 percent of GDP. Debt service is one-third and public sector salaries absorb another 40 percent of domestic revenue. New indirect taxes were introduced, but borrowing rates above 20 percent remain punitive and stifle internal investment as FDI takes a wait and see stance on cocoa and energy price direction and currency stabilization. Kenya likewise will make fund manager presentations amid accusations that previous bond issue proceeds were lost or stolen. The central bank closed an institution and removed executives for misbehavior in a cleanup effort in advance of potential monetary loosening, with inflation on track at 7 percent. A $1. 5 billion Fund precautionary facility is on hand and growth should hit 6 percent this year on good consumption and agriculture numbers. Zambia is still in IMF negotiations with the 7. 5 percent of GDP fiscal deficit at double the target on almost 25 percent inflation. Emergency power measures will increase outlays as contact arrears have also accumulated for eventual payment. Global copper value has not rebounded with key mining operations suspended and upcoming elections may scuttle final fund agreement as presidential frontrunners fish for support and a clear outcome unlike past contests.



Bond Flows’ Wistful Weave
2016 April 19 by admin

Posted in: Fund Flows, General Emerging Markets
Fund tracker EPFR reported $100 million in net bond inflows at the end of Q1 snapping a long losing streak, with $3. 5 billion in hard currency allocation clipping almost the same amount of local currency flight. ETFs were the sole positive category with dedicated US, Europe and Japanese funds shedding exposure, but performance was in stark contrast to equities’ $7. 5 billion hole for the period. Pure corporate topped sovereign commitment as the benchmark external indices were up on average 5 percent, half the local bond gauge gain in dollar terms. Additional industrial economy monetary easing and pausing helped drive currency results to a 3-year high as dollar strength eroded. Commodity exporters enjoyed the biggest bounce as oil recovered 50 percent from recent lows. The trade-weighted dollar was down 5 percent as the Chinese renimbi firmed under its new basket peg, and asset class underweight positions drifted toward neutral despite sketchy fundamentals. GDP growth forecasts were again reduced in private and official analysis, and commercial debt overhangs linger in major markets. The Institute for International Finance’s April capital flow survey predicted outflow shrinkage from last year but a still hefty $500 billion retreat. Sovereign ratings downgrades were the worst in a decade with a dozen in the first quarter, as the EMBIG Diversified fell below investment-quality for the first time in five years. Inflation moderated to the 4 percent range but developing country central banks will not loosen monetary policy more than marginally. The index spread compressed 100 basis points in March with $30 billion of gross issuance against a full-year prediction around $100 billion. International corporate placement came to over $45 billion but was one-third off 2015’s pace. Asia continues to dominate, but Latin America crept back with a flotation by Argentine state oil giant YPF amid buoyant post-election sentiment and Gazprom returned as a Russia stalwart despite sanctions.

Heading into the Inter-American Development Bank annual meeting in the Bahamas, regional debt readings were subdued as Moody’s put Mexico on negative outlook with fiscal deterioration from Pemex’s tangled budget and private partner transition. Industrial production and services show opposite patterns for lackluster 2. 5 percent GDP growth, as the central bank lifted the policy rate in February to stem peso weakness. Brazil’s unending political saga and recession evoked an impeachment-driven rally as the core PMDB party left the ruling coalition and the Congress begins voting to remove President Rousseff. Improved currency and inflation levels could allow SELIC rate cuts in the coming months and relieve the burden of state obligations to the federal government that will be refinanced under a March proposal. The negligible primary surplus target was further flattened to under 0. 1 percent of GDP despite the promise of official spending caps. In the Andean region Colombia’s current account gap will again approach 6 percent of output on lagging oil exports and portfolio inflows. Privatization of electricity generator Isagen should bring in $3 billion but foreign investor enthusiasm remains dented from stalled tax reform and rebel guerilla peace deals. Headline inflation at 7. 5 percent is double the target zone. The ELN has just joined the FARC in demobilization talks, and settlement runs the risks of rejection in national voting and heavy immediate fighter compensation and training costs unleashing another sovereign downgrade wave.

Asia Bonds’ Confidence Loss Creak
2016 April 11 by admin

Posted in: Asia
The March local currency Asia Bond Monitor prepared by a separate Asian Development Bank team cited “confidence loss” as the region’s biggest risk through the last quarter of 2015, with combined size of the ten country markets up slightly to $9 trillion. Two-thirds the total was from China, with Korea the second largest at $1. 7 trillion followed by Malaysia and Thailand, each over $250 billion. Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines ranged from $100-200 billion while Vietnam was the smallest at $40 billion. The annual growth rate was almost 20 percent and bonds outstanding were 62 percent of GDP, split 38-24 between government and corporate. Foreign ownership stayed above 30 percent for Indonesia and Malaysia, while declining below 15 percent in Thailand. Almost half of investors are in longer Indonesian maturities, “reflecting economic optimism” according to the review but also previous restrictions on short-term holdings. Corporate appetite “pales in comparison” with lack of liquidity and secondary trading; in Korea the offshore share is just 0. 2 percent as it was alone in the group experiencing net capital outflows in Q4 last year. East Asian issuance was $1 trillion for the period on a mixed performance, with $650 billion from Mainland China. Cross-border volume continued to wane at $2. 5 billion dominated by renimbi placement, while 2015’s G3 current total was $185 billion versus $200 billion the prior year. China, Korea and Hong Kong sovereigns and companies accounted for the bulk, but $15 billion was from Southeast Asia including a $175 million inaugural bond from Laos. So far in 2016 yield curves have shifted down with weak growth, and stock markets also slumped until March. Indonesia reduced policy rates in turn, and Hong Kong and the Mainland were exceptions with higher yields on general risk aversion and specific currency worries, the ADB commented. Credit spreads narrowed through February between top-rated corporate and government instruments, while they widened in Malaysia’s sukuk-driven segments. Among important policy and regulatory changes, China’s central bank removed the onshore bond quota for qualified foreign investors, and Indonesia liberalized external allocation for Islamic mutual funds. Korea and Thailand launched Capital Markets Master Plans, with the former introducing internet crowd-funding rules.

The subdued showing was mirrored in 2015 global debt trading data released by industry association EMTA, with a 20 percent fall to $4. 8 trillion for the lowest total since 2009. Officials attributed the weakness to benchmark index disappointment and the US Volker Rule clampdown on proprietary dealing. Local instruments were 65 percent of turnover in Q4 at almost $750 billion, with Mexico and India the most active. Eurobonds were $400 billion, with the sovereign-corporate divide at 55 percent-45 percent. Brazil, Mexico and Venezuela state oil monopoly bonds were the most popular. Indian government paper became the second most traded in the quarter with a 50 percent increase to $135 billion. China and South Africa also ranked high on the list, and together were equal to Brazilian assets. A separate CDS survey revealed a 30 percent activity reduction, although the covered universe was only a dozen firms compared with the 50 for the main study inviting less confidence in results.

Russia’s Sanctioned Bond Boycott
2016 April 11 by admin

Posted in: Europe
Russian shares stayed positive through March as President Putin authorized state company minority stake sales through the Moscow exchange, including for VTB Bank that could fetch $5 billion in an initial phase, at the same time a $3 billion sovereign bond issue was planned to certify resumed access despite lingering targeted sanctions. US and European underwriters were warned off participation on the heels of a successful Gazprombank Swiss Franc placement, as Moody’s closed its local office with fading business and competition from a new domestic firm launched by the government to challenge the main ratings firms globally. The central bank claimed the agency will be “geopolitical risk immune” as it castigated the mainstream providers’ speculative grade assignment since the Crimea and West Ukraine invasions and hydrocarbon export price upheaval. Rates were on hold with another year of recession set this year, as officials may end private pension contributions in light of the medium-term budget deficit and cash-strapped regions look for additional federal support to cover salaries and services. Labor unrest has spread in one-industry towns, but failed to dent Putin’s opinion poll approval at 80 percent, reinforced by pro-Assad intervention in Syria that turned battle momentum for the regime with air bombardment. The ruble after 2015’s record loss has also gained slightly against the dollar, but the turnaround came too late to salvage the prospects of aluminum giant Alrosa, once more in restructuring talk over its $8 billion debt. After a current account surplus rise and two-thirds capital outflow drop to $55 billion last year, foreign reserves are no longer need for broader corporate refinancing needs, although hard currency may be mobilized through the rainy day sovereign fund for fiscal purposes. The agricultural import and tourism ban with Turkey continues and the Minsk accord stalemate on Ukraine’s breakaway provinces persists despite several meetings with Western powers and relative cease-fire. EU sanctions were renewed but Hungary and Poland are increasingly vocal about rollback, as German leader Merkel tries to maintain her hard-line position in the face of ant-refugee political revolt and France gears up for 2017 presidential elections. Leftist labor unions there decry proposed firing and working hour reforms and blame the Russian trade battle as an external scapegoat for flat growth and high unemployment.

Ukraine equities and bonds have stumbled on their own account with the IMF’s $1. 7 billion disbursement and accompanying bilateral aid hung up for almost six months, after parliamentary standoff blocked anti-corruption and fiscal cleanup. After the technocrat Economy Minister resigned in frustration, a key party left the coalition and a scramble is on to replace unpopular Prime Minister Yatsenyuk before another likely round of elections. President Poroshenko has imposed an April deadline, and Fund Director Lagarde sounded the alarm that the rescue may be indefinitely shelved without convincing political support and implementation. The package has restored reserves to $13. 5 billion as of February, but the central bank continues to intervene to back the currency amid projected double digit output shrinkage and 30 percent inflation. At the Vienna Initiative’s March forum in Kiev, the central bank noted 70 banks were gone since 2014 and a restructuring law under consideration should speed consolidation if creditor rights are duly sanctioned.

Turkey’s Refugee Deal Diatribe
2016 April 1 by admin

Posted in: Europe, MENA
Turkish bonds and stocks continued positive despite a suicide bombing on Istanbul’s main tourist thoroughfare as the EU offered EUR 6 billion in aid for refugee return from Greece, camp support for the 3 million already in-country, and resettlement to Western and Northern Europe after Syrian asylum claim processing up to an initial 75,000 ceiling. Brussels also agreed to accelerate visa-free travel for Turks in the Eurozone over Cyprus’ objections as negotiations persist over north-south reunification before May parliamentary elections. President Erdogan, after raiding a newspaper closely associated with the Gulen movement in exile, reiterated that the accord, opposed by humanitarian agencies as a violation of 1950 treaty protections, would not sidetrack the simultaneous border fight against Kurdish rebels which has spurred its own exodus. He will also expand presidential powers under planned constitutional revisions after the AK party regained its majority by a sizable margin in last year’s repeated elections. The terror attack in a busy shopping district came as tourism is down 40 percent during the current low season, but financing for the 4 percent of GDP current account deficit has endured on bank asset repatriation and $10 billion in underground transfers through the balance of payments “error” column last year. Economic growth should be 3 percent in 2016, with inflation struggling to stay in single digits but aided by the steadier currency. A new central bank governor will take over in April on persistent rumors the multiple-rate monetary policy regime will be simplified to respond to foreign investor confusion. Deputy Prime Minister Simsek has underscored a structural reform agenda to this audience, including private pension and stock exchange overhaul. High-frequency trading is already accommodated and more sophisticated technology will soon be introduced, and cross-border listings through the Eurasian Federation grouping and Islamic instrument expansion are near-term priorities. The EBRD has a stake and the exchange plans its own IPO in the coming months, while sharia-compliant bank launches may resume after a hiatus and supervisory assurance that consumer lending woes do not threaten the sector.

Cooperation has intensified with the Tehran stock market as auto and steel makers hope to rebuild the previous $20 billion in bilateral commerce now that international sanctions are lifted. Economy Minister Elitas pointed to Turkey’s comparative advantage in FDI as a “democratic” destination while acknowledging Iran’s low cost energy endowment versus total import reliance next door. A preferential trade agreement has been in effect for six months and two Iranian banks have applied for local licenses. Global relationships in contrast continue to be stymied by residual US restrictions even though Tehran lenders have been reconnected to the SWIFT network. The large expatriate community in Dubai has been unable to access basic letters of credit as the central bank blames Washington for the financial “Iranphobia. ” At a London conference in March senior officials promised to press ahead with bad loan cleanup and inaugural Eurobond issuance after regaining a sovereign rating. Anti-money laundering provisions may also be adopted as the country works with FATF’s regional unit, but Supreme Leader Khamenei vowed to uphold the “resistance economy” with growth less than 1 percent this fiscal year as scant refuge.



Argentina’s Holdout Holding Patterns
2016 April 1 by admin

Posted in: Latin America/Caribbean
Argentine equities joined bonds in global investor embrace according to a Financial Times survey, as a $5 billion tentative deal with the main litigating funds Elliott and Aurelius was struck after agreements with European retail and other distressed bond holders for 70 percent of untendered amounts. New York settlement was prodded by court lifting of the injunction against paying existing instruments forced into default last year under pari passu clause interpretation, as Judge Griesa ruled that “President Macri’s election changed everything. ” The government dispatched negotiators in contrast with the previous one’s refusal and has been on a broader bank and fund manager charm offensive, including keynote presentations to the IIF around the G-20’s late February gathering. It has also followed the IMF’s advice in revamping the economic statistics agency and will invite the first Article IV mission in a decade as recession is forecast this year on 25 percent inflation following the peso float and subsidy cuts to trim the 5 percent of GDP fiscal deficit. Banks are rebuilding dollar deposits on track to reach the $15 billion total before capital control launch, and private credit at just 15 percent of output may jump after a long drought to aid exchange-listed Galicia and Macro. Agriculture and energy firms have already rallied on tariff and tax adjustments, as S&P raised the sovereign rating to “B-“ on new policy direction and access to $6 billion in international commercial loans. Even politics has turned to the President’s benefit as dissident Peronist party members split from the group and backed revision of the “lock law” to allow bond resolution, with provincial governors also in line so they can get support for strained budgets.

Uruguay’s thinly-traded bonds moved up on response, although its other commercial partners Brazil and Venezuela remain in a deep funk and inflation is in double digits. Farm exports have dropped, and pulp mill production will barely sustain 1 percent GDP growth, as financial services and tourism await the Argentina fallout. Unemployment at 7. 5 percent poses a challenge to the social welfare net as authorities also try to curb the chronic budget gap. Its experiment in legalizing marijuana could be followed by neighbors if both crime reduction and revenue increases result. Drug strategy is also a key component of the peace accord with FARC rebels in Colombia, as demobilization is linked with investment and training in alternate crop cultivation. President Santos will put the pact to a national referendum later this year, and the effort has caused delays in a tax reform package and revived doubts about BBB rating status. The 6 percent of GDP current account deficit and 7 percent inflation have also triggered alarms. The state oil company was downgraded on poor industry prospects and the central bank raised the benchmark rate twice as El Nino-related drought may further hike food prices. The President and his team marked the anniversary of the ant-narcotics bilateral Plan Colombia in Washington as exchange rate weakness prompted calls for intervention from business executives surrounded by next door’s Venezuela’s collapse and upcoming presidential elections in Peru, where front-runner Fujimori holds out free-market solutions to win Andean competition.

Egypt’s Pound Sense Posturing
2016 March 23 by admin

Posted in: MENA
Egypt shares erased their double-digit MSCI loss into March as the central bank injected $1. 5 billion into the dollar-short foreign exchange market, where the parallel rate was at a 25 percent premium, and devalued the official level by half the difference while signaling “more flexibility. ” It raised interest rates 150 basis points in turn, as VAT introduction and further fuel subsidy cuts could again tip inflation into double digits. Sovereign external bond prices also jumped, with the benchmark yield down 50 basis points to 7. 5 percent, and foreign investors may reconsider domestic government Treasuries where holdings were a meager $50 million in 2015. State banks offered dollar-denominated certificates of deposit with 15 percent returns in a further effort to choke black market demand, despite the precarious international reserve position at $ 16 billion, just three months imports. The current account deficit will again be 3 percent of GDP this fiscal year as tourism and Suez Canal earnings continue to drop and the $3 billion needed to bridge the gap is unlikely to come from FDI or Gulf allies in their own oil slump. The government may begin talks on an IMF program at the April meeting after months of denial. The Fund has long called for pound peg relaxation and budget restraint with the deficit stuck at 10 percent of GDP. The wage bill has been curbed but debt interest payments rose 40 percent in the first half of the July fiscal year. President al-Sisi has hired a specialist security firm to help reverse the 40 percent drop in visitors the latest quarter after terrorist bombing of a Russian airliner, and officials have hinted at possible privatization offerings through the Cairo exchange to mobilize revenue and boost business and consumer sentiment.

Saudi Arabia’s stock market, which partially opened to non-Gulf investors last year, has not reversed course after a 10 percent MSCI decline through February, as worries persist over the 30-year fixed dollar peg there despite central bank commitment as reserves dipped another $20 billion in December to $650 billion. Banks have been warned against currency speculation and forward and CDS spreads have narrowed from initial unease, after the IMF slashed the GDP growth forecast to 1 percent and energy subsidies were modestly reduced. The prudential loan-to-deposit ratio was adapted from 90 percent to facilitate government debt issuance, and mortgage value limits may also change as public spending is pared on a whopping 15 percent of GDP budget deficit. The cost of the Yemen conflict must factor in as well, with a mounting political backlash against the intervention killing hundreds of soldiers. To entice global fund managers, the Kingdom may offer external bonds despite recent downgrade of its prime credit rating and list on the exchange a small portion of Saudi Aramco with estimated total worth in the trillions of dollars. The IPO trend has been lethargic through the GCC, and sharia-compliant investment fund activity likewise shriveled last year, according to industry statistics. Inaugural sovereign placement should be well-received with public debt around 10 percent of GDP, unlike the experience in Bahrain across the causeway where it is 60 percent. S&P downgraded the island two notches to BB causing it to shelve fund-raising. Wages take 40 percent of the budget, and since the Arab Spring outbreak a 10-year $10 billion GCC facility has been a linchpin of offshore center defense

Cuba’s Spectator Sport Exhibition
2016 March 23 by admin

Posted in: Latin America/Caribbean
A year and a half after the thaw in bilateral relations, US President Obama heads to Cuba for the first top-level visit since the World War II era, where a baseball game between national teams will feature as a highlight. Before the trip, bilateral travel and banking restrictions were further tweaked, but the lame-duck administration will not push to lift the 55-year embargo before its term expires despite congressional bills proposed toward that goal. Government and company sponsors have organized hundreds of trade missions to Havana and small agricultural deals, previously allowed with the Helms-Burton law, were signed, but big phone, technology and tourism projects have yet to materialize. Prices of defaulted external debt, which cannot be traded by US investors, have risen with additional European debt relief, but plateaued with the lack of major business and international financial institution follow-through to modernize dilapidated infrastructure in particular. Mission participants have rarely been allowed access to top Communist Party decision-makers and complain that unwieldy state bureaucracy and control remain intact since the opening, with no specific timetable for abolition of the artificial dollar conversion system. The rapprochement with Washington has also triggered a sudden professional exodus north as Cubans fear they will no longer automatically be granted asylum if claiming refugee status. The Inter-American Development Bank in addition reported only a 5 percent remittance increase for the region in 2015, which has been a vital lifeline for the balance of payments and household consumption.

Dedicated Caribbean-Central American fund managers have been preoccupied with elections in neighboring Jamaica, as the opposition Labor Party won by one seat in the historically-close contest. New Prime Minister Holness is unlikely to jeopardize the recent sovereign ratings upgrade and IMF program, which has exceeded fiscal targets after the previous one derailed. The budget may roughly balance this year with a 7. 5 percent of GDP primary surplus, as the trade gap also shrank 15 percent on oil price reduction. Remittances and tourism are up slightly, and with continued multilateral disbursements reserves should climb above $2. 5 billion. The stock exchange after topping the MSCI frontier category in 2015 has stayed mostly positive, and the Labor government could extend support with privatizations and a tougher law and order stance. However doubts linger on its campaign platform promising mass tax exemption and 250,000 fresh jobs, which vanquished Prime Minister Simpson called a “con. ” Political observers believe the race, despite competing economic approaches, mostly turned on age preference for the overwhelmingly young population, with 30 years difference between the candidates.