According to figures from research firm Strategic Insight, an affiliate of The TRADE, bond funds in 2012 captured comparatively high inflows in Asia compared to equity funds, with implications for outbound investment from individual Asian markets.
Institutional investors anticipate a series of changes to their fixed income investment and trading practices as post-crisis reforms threaten to squeeze liquidity, results of theTRADEnews.com's March poll indicate.
In Q1 2013, total proceeds from Asia-Pacific-listed equity and equity-linked deals (ex-Japan) saw a 13.3% sequential decline from the US$52.6 billion recorded in the fourth quarter 2012, according to figures from Thomson Reuters for the period to 25 March. Proceeds of US$45.6 billion nevertheless reflect a 6.2% increase on Q1 2012.
The number of futures commission merchants serving the US futures markets will continue to decline despite a growing willingness of clients to diversify relationships, according to a recent TABB Group report.
Global markets operator Nasdaq OMX will acquire the eSpeed electronic trading platform for US treasury notes and bonds as the fixed income market undergoes wholesale regulatory-driven change.
Proposals on margin requirements for non-cleared OTC derivatives have been welcomed by UK buy-side trade body the Investment Management Association but continue to irk the International Swaps and Derivatives Association.
Credit Suisse this week announced the addition of single leg tactics for US listed equity, index and exchange-traded fund options to its derivatives trading system, which will give buy-side traders greater efficiencies for managing directives execution.
Australia and Japan have emerged as Asia's leading reformers, outlining details of further large-scale regulations governing OTC derivatives markets in line with global reforms.
The Singapore Exchange is consulting the market on the potential launch of four new foreign exchange futures contracts, ahead of a prospective Q3 launch.
Small- and mid-cap UK shares may receive a liquidity boost from this month's budget decision to exempt trades on the London Stock Exchange's Alternative Investment Market from stamp duty, but plans to drive greater retail liquidity into the market could have a more lasting impact.