Fitch: HK Chief Exec Debate Second to Economics as Credit Factor
Jun 19, 2015 01:08 am UTC| Research & Analysis
The defeat of a proposed new electoral system in Hong Kongs Legislative Council is the latest stage in an intense politicaldebate over the structure of chief executive elections in the territory. The ongoing debate,...
Fitch: Australian Mortgage Arrears Stable; Conditions Improving
Jun 17, 2015 23:04 pm UTC| Research & Analysis
The Fitch Dinkum RMBS Index increased only 2bp to 1.17% in 1Q15, even though property market conditions in Australia are improving, with historically low interest rates, high house prices and a stable economy. The index...
Fitch: Brazil Infrastructure Program Will Require Higher Tariffs
Jun 17, 2015 14:48 pm UTC| Research & Analysis
The new Brazilian infrastructure program will likely require projects to carry higher tariffs to support higher financing costs, Fitch Ratings says. The BRL198.4 billion (USD63.7 billion) program announced on June 9, of...
Moody's: Money market fund reforms will have different effects in the US and the EU
Jun 17, 2015 13:51 pm UTC| Research & Analysis
European policy makers have proposed money market fund (MMF) reforms relatively similar to the US changes slated to take effect next year, says Moodys Investors Service in a new report published today. "As in the US, the...
Fitch: Leverage, China and US Rates Pose APAC Bank Risks
Jun 17, 2015 01:49 am UTC| Research & Analysis
The continued slowdown and rebalancing in China, high corporate and household leverage in several economies, and looming US rate rises create a potentially challenging risk environment for emerging Asia-Pacific financial...
Fitch: Thai, Malaysia Household Debt Risks Compounded By Weaker Outlook
Jun 17, 2015 01:23 am UTC| Research & Analysis
High household leverage in Thailand and Malaysia remains a source of risk for both economies says Fitch Ratings in its Asia-Pacific Banks Chart of the Month reports on Thailand and Malaysia. The asset quality outlook is...
Fitch: More US Health Insurer M&A Likely If Mega Deal Struck
Jun 16, 2015 21:08 pm UTC| Research & Analysis
A combination of any of the five largest US health insurers could accelerate further merger and acquisition activity in the managed care sector, says Fitch Ratings. Just one mega MA deal could lead to similar responses by...
Johannesburg in a time of darkness: Ivan Vladislavić’s new memoir reminds us of the city’s fragility
Economist Chris Richardson on an ‘ugly’ inflation result and the coming budget
Labour can afford to be far more ambitious with its economic policies – voters are on board
Sudan: civil war stretches into a second year with no end in sight