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Emerging & Frontier Markets

Emerging Markets Roundup: China

INCREASED SPENDING AND REFORMS COULD BOOST DOMESTIC CONSUMPTION By Thomas Clouse In his final annual work report to the National People’s Congress, outgoing Chinese premier Wen Jiabao set the country’s 2013 GDP growth target at 7.5% and pledged to ...

Capital Raising & Corporate Finance

Equity: Rising Stock Market Fires Up IPOs

CORPORATE FINANCING NEWS: GLOBAL EQUITY/DRS By Gordon Platt A rising tide lifts all ships, and the bull market in stocks is enabling a number of technology and housing-related companies, particularly in the US, to float initial public offerings. ...

Emerging & Frontier Markets

Frontier Markets: Namibia

<p>Namibia’s fortunes may be about to change dramatically, as recent surveys have shown its offshore geology could rival the biggest oil discoveries of recent years. But even without its oil prospects, Namibia has quietly established itself as an attractive investment destination. A recent Bloomberg Markets study placed Namibia among the world’s 20 most attractive emerging markets from an investment standpoint.</p>

Capital Raising & Corporate Finance

FX: Dollar In Long-Term Bull Trend

CORPORATE FINANCING NEWS: FOREIGN EXCHANGE By Gordon Platt The dollar has been in a long-term declining trend against the major currencies for nearly a decade, losing about 40% in value, but analysts say it is no longer weakening ...

Capital Raising & Corporate Finance

M&A: Megamergers Raise Hope for More

CORPORATE FINANCING NEWS: MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS By Gordon Platt With the stock market hitting record highs and confidence growing in the US economy, dealmaking has accelerated dramatically. A series of megamergers has unleashed a spirit of optimism about the ...

Banking

Middle East 2013: Ethical Banking

THE ALLURE OF ETHICAL BANKING By Gordon Platt Islamic banks in the Gulf region are tapping into growing demand for ethical banking and are upping their game in structuring sukuk and wholesale banking services. Ethical banking services ...

Banking

Middle East 2013: Jordans Uphill Battle

BRIDGING THE GAPS By Gordon Platt Jordan has a difficult road ahead as it implements economic and political reforms as part of an IMF loan package and deals with the spillover from unrest in neighboring countries. Jordan’s ...

Banking

Middle East 2013: Seeking Unity On GCC

SEEKING UNITY By Gordon Platt GCC members continue to pay lip service to economic and political union, but experts say much more needs to be done on the military, security and development fronts before that can happen. ...

Banking

Middle East 2013: Takaful Insurance

SHARING RISK By Anita Hawser Takaful insurance markets are growing steadily in the Gulf, but the regulatory framework is still developing in some countries. Taking out car, property or life insurance is second nature in the West, ...

Banking

Middle East 2013: Transition Economies

DEFYING EXPECTATIONS By Gordon Platt For many, the Arab Spring symbolizes years of painful economic and political reforms ahead. But financial institutions are upbeat about the region’s prospects, noting that markets such as Iraq and Libya continue to ...

Banking

Middle East 2013: UAE: Visions Of Splendor

VISIONS OF SPLENDOR By Gordon Platt Investor confidence has returned to the UAE, with the former debt-laden emirate of Dubai once again planning major infrastructure projects. Even a new financial center is planned for construction. Dubai continues ...

Banking

Milestones: Italy Coughs And The Rest Of Europe Sneezes

MILESTONES: ITALY By Valentina Pasquali The general elections held in Italy in February yielded a hung parliament, marked the phenomenal rise of the little-understood protest movement of former comedian Beppe Grillo, and unexpectedly revived the flagging political career of former ...