Investment
Bank of Canada severs mechanical link to external ratings
After several years of work, the Bank of Canada is now “well positioned” to end its mechanistic reliance on external credit ratings, and is helping others do the same, says Philippe Muller
HKMA’s Exchange Fund posts record high investment income
Strong performance in equities and currency effects drove record investment result in the first half of 2017
Fed to begin shrinking balance sheet ‘relatively soon’
Rates remain on hold as the FOMC eyes below-target inflation, while the wording change implies that action on the balance sheet could begin sooner than previously expected
Malawi stock exchange needs urgent revamp, governor stresses
Lack of interest in stock market could cause financial stability issues as pension and life insurance funds grow, says Kabambe
China-led Asian Financial Cooperation Association launches
AFCA aims to strengthen regional financial co-operation and participate in global financial governance
Sarb takes action amid ‘extremely weak’ demand
Central bank revises down its forecasts as economic situation deteriorates; governor warns of possible cliff effect if there are further rating downgrades
IMF says remittances do not balance out losses caused by emigration
Remittances are key for providing support to LAC countries in terms of fiscal and financial stability; lack of labour resources and decline in productivity outweighs remittance support
BIS urges policymakers to exploit ‘window of opportunity’
Financial cycles are getting close to turning in many economies and central banks and governments must make sure they are prepared, the BIS warns in its 2017 annual report
Income is an important factor for housing demand in Turkey – paper
Profitability of housing investment in Turkey fell in 2003–14; Ceritoğlu suggests drop in home ownership is down to relative price changes
Balance sheet weakness and falling investment to blame for productivity slowdown – paper
IMF paper rejects structural hypothesis for slowdown in productivity growth following crisis; firms with balance sheet issues and those hit harder by credit tightening cut back on investment