R-Square Macro Management is increasing its exposure to Russian currency Ruble. It's hoping on rebound in Ruble as it fell 37 percent from the recent high in 2015. Some asset managers scaled back their wagers on Ruble amid high volatility in the Russian currency.
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The recent market crash in Indian stock markets is driving funds from equities to mutual funds (MFs). As a result, fixed income mutual funds are witnessing increased inflows of funds amid ongoing bear market.
The London property market is witnessing soaring buying activity for rental apartments ahead of new tax on home coming into effect from April 2016. The latest rush for buying is also pushing prices up.
The UK stocks, after suffering losses for three sessions in a row, rebounded. Barclays and other financial companies led the gains. After suspension of trading for a day, the trading in Barclays stock resume on Monday. The FTSE 100 index dropped 9.2 percent in 2016 so far.
Reeling under pressure, the hedge fund segment is facing talent crunch to render its services more qualitatively. Considering the need of the hour, billionaire Steve Cohen-owned hedge fund Point72 Asset Management is investing in grooming the talent pool. It's offering two programs to train young graduates.
The bonds are gaining momentum amid sluggish financial markets and uncertainty about the global economy. Majority of hedge funds are betting on the $4.5 trillion market as the safest for US corporate debt. Some hedge funds forecast the concerns may go beyond energy and junk bonds.
Contrary to earlier bullish predictions for 2016, several Wall Street strategists have started lowering their forecasts on S&P 500 stocks. The Chinese economy slowdown, volatile oil prices and interest rates are the major reasons for drop in forecast. The gap between highest and lowest forecast has been widening.
The Dutch banking major ING Groep's revenues for the fourth quarter were above the analysts' forecasts. ING's exposure to the oil companies is putting pressure on its stock, which suffered 20 percent drop. However, ING is also receiving indirect benefits from lower oil prices.
Citigroup holds view that it's too early to come to a conclusion about the state of the world's largest economy. It advises investors not to offload stocks over China. Citigroup in its latest research reports terms the present uncertainty and sluggishness in the Chinese economy and markets as a 'correction.'
The Wall Street took a second plunge on Wednesday in the first two weeks of 2016 after trading failed to pickup after Tuesday. This sent ripples to global markets especially Asian markets which all closed sharply lower predicating on growing concern for China's slow growth, stability of its currency, and slump in oil prices.
The weakening business confidence coupled with global economic challenges is impacting the UK manufacturing sector in more negative way. Despite odds forecast for 2016, majority of manufacturing firms in the UK are going ahead with their investment plan for technology and innovation. About 44 percent of UK companies participated in a survey expressed their concerns about challenging 2016 year.
Saudi Aramco may tap capital market very shortly. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is considering a major restructuring plan for the world's biggest oil producing company in the wake of lower oil prices. The Saudi government may also sell some of the stake in Aramco.
A growing number of hedge funds and institutional investors are acquiring non-performing loans from banks and federal agencies who can no longer keep them due to expensive holding costs of such loans, Bloomberg said in its report.
Citizens Financial Group, a unit of the Royal Bank of Scotland, said it had agreed to exit its Chicago area retail branches and small business operations to US Bancorp.
The data released in a report by the European Central Bank on Friday saw the hesitation of financial institutions in extending credit to households and businesses despite the economic recovery of the Euro Zone.
