Economies

Situation in Brazil – what are the key questions for investors?

Sailesh Lad -

While politics was always likely to be noisy, the risk that social reforms could be substantially delayed, has likely not been priced into the bond market. Silencing corruptionBrazil’s already-unpopular President Temer faces the rising risk of impeachment. This comes after a leading newspaper revealed he had condoned paying ‘hush’ money… Read More »


The Japanese Corporate Governance

Mitesh Patel -

For too long, poor corporate governance has held Japan back in the global race. But with shareholders beginning to speak up, and companies starting to listen, this could be set to change. As recently as 2013 nearly 600 of the 1400 largest listed companies in Japan had no outside directors… Read More »



Pakistan: Banking On Reform

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Pakistan is one of the most under-penetrated markets for banking in the developing world. An upturn in the credit cycle, benign domestic economic conditions, and favorable demographics underpin the banks’ growth potential. To get a sense of the growth potential available in Pakistan, consider the following: Only around 12% of… Read More »


Eurozone growth remains on track

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Preliminary GDP data for the first quarter of 2017 shows no slowdown in activity despite a rise in inflation. The eurozone economy enjoyed a strong start to 2017, with GDP expanding by 0.5% quarteronquarter, matching the previous quarter and consensus estimates. Although this is just a preliminary reading with few… Read More »


Dispatches from India: money a la Modi

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India has bounced back from November’s shock demonetisation, part of a strategy to wean people off cash and cut corruption. Last November, Narendra Modi triggered an economic earthquake in India. By suddenly making the country’s whole stock of 500 and 1,000 rupee banknotes worthless and giving people only a short… Read More »


Is Asia’s Strong Performance Sustainable?

Daryl Liew -

Asian equities have delivered solid returns in the first four months of the year, largely buoyed by a pickup in the global trade cycle which has boosted economic growth and led to a turnaround in earnings expectations. Meanwhile, the Trump-related risks flagged in January have failed to materialise. For all… Read More »


A Springtime Boost For Europe

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Investors underlined April 23 and May 7 in their 2017 diaries several months ago. Although the first round of France’s presidential elections matched recent opinion polls, markets heaved a huge sigh of relief, a reaction that suggests investors should focus on Europe’s risk assets. THINGS NORMALLY GO IN THREESAfter two… Read More »


On the ground in Asian frontiers

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High economic growth rates and fantastic demographics are just two of the reasons why we like investing in Asian frontier markets. Vietnam’s economy grew by 6.2% in 2016 and we believe it will remain above 6% in 2017. Pakistan’s economy is expected to grow by more than 5% this year,… Read More »


Views on Indian state elections

Avinash Vazirani -

India’s latest round of state elections saw a good set of results for Prime Minister Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP India’s latest round of state elections saw a good set of results for Prime Minister Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), particularly in the highly populous state of Uttar Pradesh –… Read More »