LONDON | By Apolline Menut via Barclays | Euro area “flash” composite PMIs came in stronger than expected, almost reaching a four-year high at 54.1 (+0.8 points). The rise was primarily driven by a surge in manufacturing output (+1.4 points to 53.5), while confidence continued to improve in the services sector (+0.6 points to 54.3).
By Shinichiro Kadota, Tal Shapsa at Barclays | March 23, 2015 | Japan’s Flow of Funds data show that Japanese investors continued to rebalance their portfolio away from domestic bonds into foreign assets in Q4 14, while their flows into domestic equities were more muted. Such dynamics were evident throughout 2014, as Japanese investors accumulated foreign assets at a solid pace.
A fourth wave of Chinese investors keen to explore growth opportunities is emerging, according to a recent report from the consultancy firm Knight Frank. And experts predict that the trend will grow further in the coming years, fostering greater synergies between Chinese real estate agents and overseas Chinese investors. The goals and strategies of this new investor are more diversified; with a special focus in new and secondary markets, and away from major cities such as London, New York. Countries like Spain and Portugal are able to provide additional perks, such as programmes through which investors can obtain residence permits.
LONDON | March 18, 2015 | By Víctor Jiménez | The effects of QE have already begun to reverberate through the arteries of Europe’s financial heart in the City of London. Indeed, there is a tsunami of money flooding the market, corporate bonds sub-investment market. That below triple B ratings market is the ‘acid test’: the ECB’s bet has been dragging down the price of investors and asset managers’ portfolios, who are desperate to find substantial interest rates and return to positive territory.
The Corner | March 18, 2015 | What does negative bond yields mean psychologically for investors?
WASHINGTON D.C. | March 18, 2015 | By Pablo Pardo | On December 19, 2008, George W. Bush announced that the US would allocate $13.4 billion to rescue General Motors. Between April 22 and June 1, 2009, Barack Obama provided the company with $36.1. In the end, the state ended up with a 61% of the stake of what is still the second largest car manufacturer in the world.
The Corner | March 18, 2015 | Attention will focus on Janet Yellen’s remarks later today, as markets await indication about the Fed’s plans on the issue of a rise in interest rates. Yellen will be speaking after the FOMC meeting, with speculation mounting that US economic projections may be strong enough to warrant a change in monetary policy. Analysts are speculating that a rates hike could happen as early as June, although the current strength of the dollar may delay any rise.
MADRID | By Francisco López | March 16, 2015 | Some opportunities are not to be missed. The Spanish Treasury’s first auction since the ECB launched its sovereign bond-buying program saw yields fall to their lowest levels in history.
MADRID | March 15, 2015 | By JP Marín Arrese | The markets have discounted an unchallenged drift upwards of the US currency, after the ECB embarked on its ambitious asset-buying scheme. Yet few anticipated the move might come so soon and reach such a rapid pace. As the Euro turns its retreat into a disorderly rout, emerging economies like Brazil are falling under unbearable pressure. The dollar’s swift upsurge has pounded global markets.
LONDON | March 14, 2015 | Barclays | German 10y yield bounced back to 0.248% after touching 0.186% on Thursday, while Italian and Spanish 10y spreads are 10bp above their trough. High yield credit spreads tightened while equities remained close to their cyclical highs. EURUSD is now trading at 1.06 after dropping below 1.05 on Thursday (its weakest level since January 2003). Europe’s IP edged down 0.1% in January, slightly weaker than expectations.