JPMorgan Chase Whale Trades: A Case History of Derivatives Risks and Abuses
March 15, 2013--The Subcommittee examined matters relating to credit derivative trades made by the JPMorgan Chase Chief Investment Office. The Subcommittee issued a Subcommittee staff report in conjunction with the hearing summarizing its investigative findings and recommendations. Witnesses included representatives from JPMorgan Chase and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.
Source: U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs
EPFR Global News Release-Equity Fund flows in mid-March tracking Dow's ascent, 'Abenomics' and dividends
March 15, 2013--US, Japan and Dividend Equity Funds enjoyed strong inflows during the second week of March as benchmark equities indexes around the world tested multi-year highs and investors continued their recent pivot from Europe and emerging markets to Japan and the US.
While EPFR Global-tracked China Equity Funds recorded their biggest outflow in over five years their US counterparts pulled in over $10 billion and Japan Equity Funds more than $1 billion.
Visit http://www.epfr.com for more info
Source: EPFR
ESMA publishes practical guidance for the recognition of Third Country CCPs by ESMA
March 13, 2013--The purpose of this note is to provide information on the recognition by ESMA of Third Country CCPs (TC-CCPs) under EMIR.
Please also see the EMIR page for further information.
view the Practical guidance for the recognition of Third Country CCPs by ESMA
Source: ESMA
Eurex Group and Bombay Stock Exchange announce technology alliance
Agreement brings BSE onto the Eurex Group's technology platform
March 12, 2013--Eurex Group and the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) announced today that they have agreed to deepen their strategic partnership through a long-term technology alliance under which BSE will join the Eurex technology roadmap and deploy Deutsche Borse Group's trading architecture in a first step.
BSE aims to replace its derivatives market platform in the course of 2013 and plans to subsequently replace also its cash market platform. This agreement is an important step in further developing the strategic partnership between Eurex and BSE.
Source: Eurex
Quarterly Changes to the NASDAQ Golden Dragon China Index
March 11, 2013--The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:NDAQ) today announced the results of the quarterly evaluation of the NASDAQ Golden Dragon China Index (Nasdaq:HXC), which will become effective prior to market open on Monday, March 18, 2013.
The following six securities will be added to the Index: Bitauto Holdings Limited (NYSE:BITA), China Biologic Products, Inc. (Nasdaq:CBPO), China HGS Real Estate, Inc. (Nasdaq:HGSH), JA Solar Holdings, Co., Ltd. (Nasdaq:JASO), LDK Solar Co. Ltd. (NYSE:LDK) and China Ming Yang Wind Power Group Limited (NYSE:MY)
Source: NASDAQ OMX
Quarterly Changes To The NASDAQ Q-50 Index
March 11, 2013--The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. (NDAQ) today announced the results of the quarterly re-ranking of the NASDAQ Q-50 Index (Nasdaq:NXTQ), which will become effective prior to market open on Monday, March 18, 2013.
The following seven securities will be added to the Index: Cadence Design Systems, Inc. (CDNS), Copart, Inc. (CPRT), Cree, Inc. (CREE), Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. (GMCR), Informatica Corporation (INFA), Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. (LECO) and Tesla Motors, Inc. (TSLA)
Source: The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc.
Thomson Reuters Global Equities Monthly Market Share Data Reports-December 2013
March 11, 2013--Trading is fragmenting between exchanges and competing venues. But by how much and which venues? Find out in the summarised monthly reports.
Source: Thomson Reuters
Pension Funds Struggle With Asset Allocation?
March 11, 2013--It is a difficult time to be a pension fund manager. Few asset classes are generating strong performance, complicating asset allocation decisions to the point of paralysing investors.
Paul Jayasingha, senior investment consultant at Towers Watson, said: “Volatile markets and heightened risk awareness continue to make asset allocation very challenging as companies and trustees balance such priorities as long- term de-risking, short-term market opportunities, rebalancing and maintaining a strategic asset-allocation mix.”
Source: Pensio Pulse
IOSCO Publishes the Responses to Financial Benchmark Consultation
March 11, 2013--The International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) has published today the comment letters on the Consultation Report on Financial Benchmarks that was issued on 11 January 2013.
The report sought comments from the public on policy issues arising from the work of its Board Level Task Force on Financial Market Benchmarks. More than 50 responses were received.
The Consultation Report discusses concerns regarding the potential inaccuracy or manipulation of Benchmarks and identifies Benchmark-related policy issues across securities and derivatives and other financial sectors including:
The appropriate level of regulatory oversight of the process of Benchmarking;
Standards that should apply to methodologies for Benchmark calculation;
Credible governance structures to address conflict of interests in the Benchmark-setting process within the reporting financial institutions as well as in the oversight bodies; and
The appropriate level of transparency and openness in the Benchmarking process.
view the IOSCO-Financial Benchmarks-Consultation Report
Source: IOSCO
ETF Securities-Precious Metals Weekly: A Roller-Coaster Ride For Precious Metals
March 11, 2013--US payrolls data sent precious metals on a rollercoaster ride, with palladium and silver ending higher. The large upside surprise in US non-farm payrolls (+236k vs. +165k expected) on Friday surprised the market.
Gold, silver and platinum initially fell steeply reflecting the 'risk-on' sentiment of investors who felt that there will be less easing from the Fed with such bullish job numbers. However after some consideration the market realised that loose monetary policy will remain in force for the foreseeable future from the ECB, BOE, BOJ, RBA, BOC who all had policy meetings earlier last week. All precious metal prices reversed most of the initial losses with silver and palladium ending the day higher on the back higher industrial demand expectations.
Also weighing on investors mind is what is store for the rest of this month. March will prove to an important month for US fiscal policy, with the need to pass a mini-budget by the 27th to avoid a suspension of government services. Political paralysis remains the key threat to unwinding the recent optimism in the US recovery, but is not unique to the US, with the Eurozone having its fair share of political problems. With precious metal prices having fallen so much, the cost of insuring against such events looks particularly attractive.
Source: ETF Securities