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☆ Russian state won't take part in organising frozen asset 'exchange'
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Nov 9 (Reuters) - Russia's finance ministry on Thursday said the state would not take part in organising frozen asset 'exchanges', instead leaving that up to financial market players. International sanctions against Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine have blocked many Russian investors' access to securities held in jurisdictions outside the country, while Russian countermeasures have frozen Western funds within. "The decree ... creates legislative opportunities for conducting the "exchange" of frozen assets, the state will not take part in organising the exchange itself," the finance ministry said. Organising exchanges was down to brokers and other securities market participants, it said. "The decree refers to the use of foreign investors' funds in type-C accounts."

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Central Bank Governor Elvira Nabiullina, Nabiullina, Anton Siluanov, Siluanov, Darya Korsunskaya, Alexander Marrow, Toby Chopra, Bernadette Baum Organizations: Wednesday, Moscow, Central Bank Governor, Finance, Thomson Locations: Moscow, Russia, Ukraine

☆ Putin signs decree allowing foreigners to swap frozen funds for blocked Russian assets abroad
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission General Zhang Youxia at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow, Russia November 8, 2023. Sputnik/Sergei Bobylev/Pool via REUTERS/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsMOSCOW, Nov 8 (Reuters) - Russia's President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on Wednesday allowing foreign investors with funds frozen in Russia to use them to buy blocked assets of Russians abroad. As a result of sanctions imposed by the West over Russia's actions in Ukraine, more than 3.5 million Russians have frozen assets abroad worth around 1.5 trillion roubles ($16.3 billion). Under the decree, Russia will allow citizens of what it deems "unfriendly" countries to buy frozen securities held abroad by Russians by using funds from special "type-C" accounts in Russia, which are otherwise effectively blocked. ($1 = 91.8080 roubles)Reporting by Elena Fabrichnaya and Mark Trevelyan; Editing by Andrew CawthorneOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Sergei Shoigu, Zhang Youxia, Sergei Bobylev, Putin's, Elena Fabrichnaya, Mark Trevelyan, Andrew Cawthorne Organizations: Defence, China's, Military, Sputnik, Rights, West, Thomson Locations: Moscow, Russia, Ukraine, United States

☆ Putin Signs Decree Allowing Foreigners to Swap Frozen Funds for Blocked Russian Assets Abroad
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia's President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on Wednesday allowing foreign investors with funds frozen in Russia to use them to buy blocked assets of Russians abroad. As a result of sanctions imposed by the West over Russia's actions in Ukraine, more than 3.5 million Russians have frozen assets abroad worth around 1.5 trillion roubles ($16.3 billion). Under the decree, Russia will allow citizens of what it deems "unfriendly" countries to buy frozen securities held abroad by Russians by using funds from special "type-C" accounts in Russia, which are otherwise effectively blocked. Russia plans to unblock accounts worth about 100 billion roubles in the first phase. ($1 = 91.8080 roubles)(Reporting by Elena Fabrichnaya and Mark Trevelyan; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Putin's, Elena Fabrichnaya, Mark Trevelyan, Andrew Cawthorne Organizations: West Locations: MOSCOW, Russia, Ukraine, United States

☆ China property rescue? Who are Ping An Insurance Group and Country Garden?
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Julie Zhu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Ping An, based in the southern tech hub of Shenzhen, vies with China Life (601628.SS) for the title of the country's biggest insurance group by market value. Country Garden has said repeatedly that "home delivery" is its top priority. WHY HAS BEIJING PICKED PING AN TO RESCUE COUNTRY GARDEN? Ping An was a natural choice because it is based in Guangdong and has been a major Country Garden shareholder, said the sources. Ping An said after the Reuters report that it no longer holds Country Garden shares.

Persons: Ping, Ma Mingzhe, Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, Yang Huiyan, Alex Ren, Julie Zhu, Kim Coghill Organizations: Ping An Insurance Group, HK, Reuters, WHO, China, Lufax, Ping An Healthcare, Technology, HSBC, Shenzhen Investment Holdings Co, Central Huijin Investment, Charoen Pokphand, CP, China Evergrande, Evergrande, Regulators, BEIJING, Authorities, Garden, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, China, Shenzhen, vies, New York, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Guangdong

☆ China suffers its first foreign investment deficit as US tensions and anti-spying laws spark a western exodus
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( George Glover | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

China just posted a quarterly foreign investment deficit for the first time. Officials have released foreign direct investment figures each quarter for the past 25 years – and it's the first time the gauge has turned negative, Reuters reported. The deficit suggests that western countries and companies are shunning China with Sino-US tensions steadily rising and new anti-spying laws spooking international investors. Analysts flagged that clampdown as one factor driving the decline in foreign direct investment. The foreign direct investment deficit is far from the only economic headache that Beijing faces.

Persons: China's, —, Joe Biden, Duncan Wrigley, Mark Mobius, he'd Organizations: Service, State Administration of Foreign, Reuters, Analysts, Macroeconomics, Bloomberg, " International, Micron, Bain, Co Locations: China, Beijing, Shanghai

☆ India rupee to rally after data reaffirms Fed done with rate hikes
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( Nimesh Vora | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MUMBAI, Nov 6 (Reuters) - The Indian rupee is expected to rise at open on Monday after softer-than-expected U.S. jobs data reinforced expectations that the Federal Reserve will not hike interest rates further. Non-deliverable forwards indicate the rupee will open at around 83.08-83.12 to the U.S. dollar compared with 83.2850 in the previous session. Asian currencies extended last week's advance after the dollar index slumped on Friday following data that indicated that the U.S. labor market was cooling. "Last week’s Fed meeting and latest data flow suggest the rate hike cycle is most likely over. "It's to be fully expected that the rupee will underperform in times when the dollar is under stress," the forex trader said.

Persons: Nimesh Vora, Mrigank Organizations: Federal Reserve, U.S, Reuters, Treasury, Fed, DBS Research, Korean, Malaysian, Reserve Bank of, Brent, Thomson Locations: MUMBAI

An electronic board shows stock indexes at the Lujiazui financial district in Shanghai, China, March 21, 2023. REUTERS/Aly Song/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 7 (Reuters) - A look at the day ahead in Asian markets from Jamie McGeever, financial markets columnist. This is their best run in a year, powered by easing financial conditions in the form of lower U.S. bond yields and a weaker dollar, and renewed faith in the U.S. economic 'soft landing' scenario. Having under-performed global and developed market benchmarks last week, Asian stocks could be set to outperform this week. Skeptical foreign investors will need more than one month of slowing imports and exports decline though.

Persons: Aly, Jamie McGeever, Goldman Sachs, Deepa Babington Organizations: REUTERS, Bank of Korea, Thomson, Reuters Locations: Shanghai, China, U.S, India, Asia, Taiwan, Philippines, Indonesia, Japan, Australia

☆ China FDI: Foreign investors are really frustrated with country’s economic challenges
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( Manav Tanneeru | Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Hong Kong CNN —The world’s second largest economy is struggling to attract foreign companies and investments, despite Beijing’s efforts to address its myriad economic challenges, according to new data from China. A gauge of foreign direct investment (FDI) into China has slipped into the red for the first time since 1998, underscoring the country’s failure to stem capital outflows. It suggests foreign companies may be taking their money out of the country, instead of re-investing in their operations. Direct investment liabilities include profits belonging to foreign companies that have not yet been repatriated or distributed to shareholders, as well as foreign investment in financial institutions, according to the government. Late last month, China’s legislature approved one trillion yuan ($137 billion) in sovereign bonds to support the economy.

Persons: Refinitiv, Ant, “, Xu jingbai, ICHPL, Xi Jinping, ”, ” Carlo D’Andrea, Shanghai —, JP Morgan, Tesla Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, State Administration of Foreign Exchange, Commerce Ministry, Vanguard, BlackRock, CNN, Bloomberg, China, European Union Chamber of Commerce, People’s Bank of, HSBC, American Chamber of Commerce Locations: China, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, outflows, People’s Bank of China

☆ Foreign bond investors are 'extremely concerned' about US deficits while the risk of China and Japan dumping Treasurys looms large
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-04 | by ( Filip De Mott | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Foreign bond investors are "extremely concerned" about US deficits, a TD Securities analyst told Insider. The possible dumping of US assets in Japan and China looms large over bond markets. AdvertisementAdvertisementTo be sure, US bond yields retreated sharply over the past week after they hit 17-year highs last month amid a massive bond sell-off. US Treasury demand is hitting another headwind as yields around the world have shot up as well, according to Goldberg. "Europe was at negative interest rates, Japan was at negative interest rates.

Persons: —, Gennadiy Goldberg, It's, Goldberg, that's Organizations: TD, Treasury, Service, TD Securities, Fitch, Treasury Department Locations: Japan, China, Europe, Beijing, Tokyo

Global fundraising for alternative investments, which include private equity, dropped 21% to $972 billion in the year to Nov. 1 from the same period a year earlier, according to research firm Preqin. As their money becomes more vital, Gulf funds are encouraging private equity firms to invest locally in plans for a post-oil future. "Building a partnership based on reciprocity is nowadays necessary to succeed in the Gulf," said Francois Aissa-Touazi, co-global head of investor relations at private equity fund Ardian. Private equity funds are getting the message. In turn private equity funds can use these pools of capital to fund large private debt or equity transactions, according to Tikehau Capital's Deputy CEO, Frédéric Giovansili.

Persons: Amr Alfiky, Francois Aissa, Ardian, Touazi, Brookfield, Bruce Flatt, thronged, Flatt, Mohammed Al Jadaan, Anthony Diamandakis, Rishi Kapoor, Investcorp, Tikehau, Frédéric Organizations: United, United Arab Emirates, REUTERS, Rights, Global, Investment Initiative, Public Investment Fund, Brookfield, Tikehau, CVC, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Abu Dhabi, United Arab, Rights RIYADH, LONDON, Davos, Saudi, Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, Dubai, Brookfield, Bahrain

☆ Indian economy regains its swagger as China stumbles
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-03 | by ( Diksha Madhok | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

New Delhi CNN —India’s economy is like an elephant. India’s economy is currently worth nearly $3.5 trillion, making it the world’s fifth largest. “India’s economy is comfortably placed to grow at an annual rate of at least 6% in the coming few years,” Barclays said. But even as India’s heft is increasing, it is far from recreating the economic miracle China unleashed decades ago. It will, no doubt — though it won’t be enough to shield the world economy should China’s economy stumble badly,” they added.

Persons: Narendra Modi, ”, Eswar Prasad, Modi, Prasad, Ludovic Marin, Mukesh Ambani’s, Gautam Adani’s, Willy Shih, Frederic Neumann, Justin Feng Organizations: New, New Delhi CNN, Economic, Cornell University, International Monetary Fund, China, Barclays, IMF, ” Barclays, Hindustan Times, Modi, bonanza, Unified, Bharat, Getty, Bank, Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries, Apple, Harvard Business School, HSBC Locations: New Delhi, India, Switzerland, Davos, ”, ’, China, ” New Delhi, Sewri, Mumbai Bhushan, AFP, Beijing, Washington

☆ Here's why foreign demand for US bonds will remain strong - regardless of what Japan does, according to Goldman Sachs
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-02 | by ( Matthew Fox | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Demand for US bonds from foreign buyers will remain strong, according to Goldman Sachs. Goldman said it expects a solid appetite from foreigners for US bonds even as Japan phases out its yield curve control policy. AdvertisementAdvertisementForeign buyers will continue to have a strong appetite for US bonds, even as Japan begins to phase out its yield curve control policy, according to Goldman Sachs. Meanwhile, the US corporate bond yields are currently just below 6%, compared to just under 1% for Japanese corporate bonds. And any selling pressure in the US bond market by foreign investors would have to be driven by a confluence of different factors.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, Goldman, —, that's Organizations: Service Locations: Japan

☆ Carlsberg would rather lose its Russian business than negotiate a deal with Moscow, and it shows how hard it is for companies to exit the market
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-02 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The CEO of Danish brewer Carlsberg says Moscow has "stolen" its business in Russia. Moscow seized Carlsberg's assets in July, weeks after the brewer announced it had found a buyer for its Russian business. Carlsberg said it's cutting ties with its Russian business as it can't find an acceptable solution to resolve the issue. AdvertisementAdvertisementDanish brewer Carlsberg operates eight breweries and employs more than 8,000 people through its Russian unit, Baltika Breweries. However, on July 16, Russia seized Baltika.

Persons: Carlsberg, Moscow, —, Jacob Aarup, Andersen, Dmitry Medvedev, Medvedev, they'd, Baltika, Carlsberg's Organizations: Service, Carlsberg, Baltika Breweries, Carlsberg Group, Financial Times, Russian, Unilever Locations: Moscow, Russia, Carlsberg, Ukraine, British

But areas of the market dominated by small stocks and frequented by the country's retail investors have done surprisingly well. Scores of retail investors are dabbling in micro-cap stocks - stocks whose market capitalisation is tiny - operating under the radar of big funds and investors and their massive market-moving flows. Strategies such as Cui's stand out this year in a stock market depressed by China's wobbly economy, heightened geopolitical risks and surging overseas interest rates. Some brokerages are starting to recommend micro stocks to clients. GF Securities said in an October strategy report that buying micro stocks is part of a new investment paradigm in a stock market suffering from anaemic growth, and global decoupling risks.

Persons: Aly, horribilis, Joseph Cui, Cui, Yuan Yuwei, Helen Wu, Wu, Yi Huiman, Lu Deyong, Seres, Lu, Huang Yan, Jason Xue, Samuel Shen, Summer Zhen, Vidya Ranganathan, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Huawei Technologies, Regulators, Wisdom Asset, China Securities Regulatory Commission, Huawei, Security Technology, TRS Information Technology, Automotive, Seres, Securities, Shanghai QiuYang, Thomson Locations: Shanghai, China, Rights SHANGHAI, HONG KONG, United States, ChatGPT, Ningbo, Summer, Hong Kong

☆ Western companies are at risk of losing the biggest market race of all to China: Op-ed
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Dewardric L. Mcneal | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

In fact, it's well past the point when CEOs should have started recalibrating their approach to China. But when it comes to de-risking, there is now the risk it's one more race where we risk falling behind to China. There's a limited window available for foreign businesses in China's market to de-risk in a way that protects their shareholders' interests. On multiple occasions, we've witnessed foreign companies get this calculus and timing wrong. These examples underscore the risk of underestimating the complexities of the Chinese market and losing ground to local competitors over time.

Persons: Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, SAUL LOEB, Trump's, Xi Jinping's, There's, we've, Didi Chuxing Organizations: AFP, Getty, U.S, U.S ., Baidu, Huawei's Locations: Nusa Dua, Bali, China, U.S, China's

☆ Saudi Arabia is serious about its Jan. 1 deadline for companies to move regional headquarters to Riyadh — or lose out on government contracts
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( Natasha Turak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The Saudi National Bank headquarters and other buildings in Riyadh. Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesRIYADH — Saudi Arabia is holding on to its ultimatum that foreign companies will need to base their regional headquarters in the kingdom or be barred from lucrative government contracts. In a bold surprise move back in February 2021, the Saudi government announced that it would, by 2024, cease doing business with any international companies whose regional headquarters were not based within the country. The news stunned investors and expat workers, many of whom saw the move as a shot at Dubai, the United Arab Emirates commercial capital that is home to the highest concentration of Middle East regional headquarters. Faisal Al Ibrahim, Saudi minister of economy and planning, told CNBC that the plan is still going ahead and discussed how the kingdom aims to support foreign companies with the change.

Persons: Faisal Al Ibrahim, CNBC's Dan Murphy, Al Ibrahim, that's, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia — Organizations: Saudi National Bank, Riyadh . Bloomberg, Bloomberg, Getty, United Arab Emirates, East, CNBC, Future Investment Initiative, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund Locations: Riyadh ., RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Saudi, Dubai, Riyadh

☆ China is on the right path but it isn't the right time to invest there yet: Deutsche Bank
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailChina is on the right path but it isn't the right time to invest there yet: Deutsche BankStefanie Holtze-Jen of Deutsche Bank Private Bank says that China is "marching in the right direction" but momentum will only pick up when foreign investors are convinced that the market has bottomed out.

Persons: Deutsche Bank Stefanie Holtze, Jen Organizations: China, Deutsche Bank, Deutsche Bank Private Bank Locations: China

☆ Exclusive: Vietnam eyes China model to seek index upgrade, boost investment
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Francesco Guarascio | Thomson Reuters | Francesco Leads A Team Of Reporters In Vietnam That Covers Top Financial | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

An investor sits in front of screens showing stock board information at a securities company in Hanoi, Vietnam July 6, 2018. That prevents many funds, investors and family offices from investing in companies listed there. MULTI-MILLION-DOLLAR PIEUnder the new plan, Vietnam would adopt a mechanism to settle payments on shares transactions that could meet the key requirement from FTSE for the upgrade. Active funds are estimated to have five times more investments in the FTSE emerging market, which could lead to far bigger gains for the HCMC market, which has currently a $179 billion capitalisation. Foreign investors need also to be consulted.

Persons: Le Thi Le Hang, Francesco Guarascio @fraguarascio, Lincoln Organizations: REUTERS, FTSE, Chi Minh City Stock Exchange, The bourse, State Securities Commission, Vietnam, Thomson Locations: Hanoi, Vietnam, China HANOI, China, Chi Minh, The, Indonesia, Philippines, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Kenya

HONG KONG, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Hong Kong's efforts to revive its shrinking stock market are mere stopgap solutions, as analysts say a reversal in fortunes for Asia's premier financial hub would not be possible without a major improvement in China's economic prospects. With a market value of around $4.3 trillion, Hong Kong is home to one of the top-ranked stock markets globally just behind those in the United States, Japan, China and Europe. New share offerings in Hong Kong have fizzled. Local media reported that a record 47 of the 638 trading participants on the Hong Kong exchange shut shop last year. Chinese firms listed in Hong Kong, such as tech giants Tencent (0700.HK) and Alibaba (9988.HK), comprise the bulk of the turnover on the Hong Kong exchange, leaving Hong Kong hostage to China's fortunes.

Persons: Hong, John Lee, Dickie Wong, Rob Brewis, Aubrey, Eddie Tam, Alvin Cheung, Cheung, ”, Alex Wong, Alex KY, Wong, who'd, Summer Zhen, Xie Yu, Vidya Ranganathan Organizations: Nasdaq, Kingston Securities, Seng China Enterprises, HK, Aubrey Capital Management, Hong, Asset Investments, Prudential, Asset Management Company, Global, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, China, Hong Kong, United States, Japan, Europe, Shenzhen

U.S. futures rose while oil prices fell back. A barrel of benchmark U.S. oil fell 97 cents to $87.11 per barrel. Chinese stocks fell to a 1-year low early Monday as foreign investors sold off holdings. High yields make borrowing more expensive for everyone, and they slow the economy while dragging on prices for stocks and other investments. But higher oil prices threaten to add upward pressure.

Persons: Brent, Taiwan’s Taiex, Fumio, Australia’s, ” Stephen Innes, It’s Organizations: Israel, Foxconn Technology, Fortune, Apple, Nikkei, Dow, Nasdaq, Treasury, Management, Federal, Fed, Enphase Energy, Regions Financial, U.S Locations: HONG KONG, Gaza, Gaza City, Israel, Shanghai, Hong, Taiwan, Seoul, Europe, U.S

☆ Nigeria expects $10 bln in forex inflows in weeks - finance minister
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( Chijioke Ohuocha | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

ABUJA, Oct 23 (Reuters) - Nigeria expects $10 billion in foreign currency inflows in the next few weeks to ease liquidity in a foreign exchange market that has cramped growth in Africa's biggest economy, finance minister Wale Edun said on Monday. The West African country has faced chronic dollar shortages after foreign investors exited local assets during a period of low oil prices. Since then, investors are yet to return and the central bank has not yet settled outstanding demand for dollars from foreign investors seeking to repatriate funds or airlines seeking to send money from ticket sales abroad. Edun said President Bola Tinubu on Thursday signed two executive orders to allow domestic issuance of instruments in foreign currency and also allow all cash outside the banking system to be brought into the banks. He added that liquidity would also come from state-oil firm crude sales and foreign investment firms willing to invest in Nigeria.

Persons: Wale Edun, Edun, Bola Tinubu, Tinubu, Chijioke, MacDonald Dzirutwe, Bernadette Baum, Mark Potter Organizations: Thomson Locations: ABUJA, Nigeria, Africa's

☆ Rupee may drop on weak risk, eyes fallout of RBI's swap maturity
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( Nimesh Vora | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A customer hands Indian currency notes to an attendant at a fuel station in Mumbai, India, August 13, 2018. Non-deliverable forwards (NDFs) indicate the rupee will open at around 83.16-83.18 to the U.S. dollar, compared with 83.1225 in the previous session. The rupee on Friday managed a small relief rally on aggressive intervention by the RBI in NDFs and spot. Its looks like the intervention "will not prove too sticky" and the rupee "will be back under pressure", a forex trader at a bank said. The RBI's swap maturity has promoted concerns about a dollar crunch and the central bank, like last week, may once again be a provider of dollars, according to traders.

Persons: Francis Mascarenhas, Nimesh Vora, Sonia Cheema Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Reserve Bank, India's, U.S ., Federal Reserve, Fed, ANZ, Brent, Thomson Locations: Mumbai, India, Rights MUMBAI, NDFs

☆ China stocks have wiped out all of their gains since reopening from pandemic lockdowns
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( Jennifer Sor | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Chinese stocks have wiped out all of their gains since the nation reopened its economy. Investors are fretting over the slew of economic headwinds Beijing currently faces. That's even lower than when Chinese stocks troughed last October, right before the nation announced it would start to dial back its strict lockdown measures. Over the past week alone, foreign investors dumped a net 24 billion yuan, or $3.3 billion, of onshore Chinese stocks, the most since mid-August, according to Bloomberg. Still, experts are warning of a grim future ahead of China as it battles a slew of economic headwinds.

Persons: —, Ruchir Sharma Organizations: CSI, Service, Bloomberg Locations: Beijing, China, Israel, Hong, Kong

☆ Japan's property market shows signs of overheating, central bank says
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( Leika Kihara | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

In a heat map of economy sectors which are running hot, the ratio of investment by real estate firms to gross domestic product (GDP) turned "red", a signal that the property market was overheating, the central bank said. "The increase in real estate firms' investment has been accelerated by urban redevelopment projects by major real estate developers," it added. "In some limited commercial areas in central Tokyo, transactions in the higher price range have been increasing," it said, adding that developments in the real estate transaction market "continue to warrant close monitoring". Japanese banks could also face risks from the rising possibility of interest rates remaining high overseas, it added. But credit costs could rise abruptly, particularly for loans to Asia, if overseas interest rates stay higher for longer, it warned.

Persons: Kim Kyung, Banks, Leika Kihara, Kim Coghill, Clarence Fernandez Organizations: REUTERS, Bank of Japan, Bank, U.S . Federal Reserve, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, TOKYO, Asia

☆ A Financial Crisis in China Is No Longer Unthinkable
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( Greg Ip | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Country Garden, once seen as one of China’s most stable property developers, is now struggling financially, leaving the future of unfinished megadevelopments like Malaysia’s Forest City in doubt. Here’s how overbuilding, and a streak of bad luck, have left China’s real-estate developers in the red. Photo: Adam AdadaThe world’s second-largest economy has a deflating property bubble, local governments struggling to pay their debts and a banking system heavily exposed to both. Anywhere else these factors would be seen as precursors of a financial crisis. But not in China, conventional wisdom goes, because its debts are owed to domestic rather than foreign investors, the government already stands behind much of the financial system and capable technocrats are on top of things.

Persons: Adam Adada Organizations: Malaysia’s Forest City Locations: Malaysia’s Forest, China

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