Plenty of room for growth in neglected asset class; Good inflation hedge relatively uncorrelated to economic cycle

The development of the cerrado into arable land will benefit Brazil far more than its oil discoveries.

Africa’s growth is one tribute to the former president’s legacy.

Foreign buyers are attracted by news of an export-led recovery and privatizations. Getting them hitched for the long term, however, will require a boost in local macroeconomic demand, including dealing with banks’ residual bad debts.

Internationals take a majority of Energa; IPO slides in secondary market

Fiscal slippage, less FDI and lower export prices make Ghana among most vulnerable; Eurobond access still cheap

A flurry of strategic sales by western investors and private equity firms kept corporate financiers busy last year. But these deals mask a problem: while financing is plentiful, sellers can’t bring themselves to be realistic on pricing.

Transport costs have made the country’s agriculture industry uncompetitive. But new infrastructure projects should transform the opportunities some have seen in land values.

Russian and western firms have shovelled millions into investment banks in Russia. Although their ranks are much diminished, they remain dug in: doggedly hopeful, despite little chance of a change in their prospects.

Monoline wrap for pool of SME risk; firms pay up for five-year tenor.

M&A looks set to grow in Europe; Citi hopes to build on a breakthrough year

The mainland Chinese IPO market is set for a comeback this year as China’s Securities Regulatory Commission lifts a ban on new stock market listings as early as January and regulatory overhauls ease risk, analysts say.

Internet connectivity in Africa has the potential to transform the continent, contributing up to $300 billion to GDP by 2025, according to a McKinsey report. However, some of the country’s most advanced economies, such as South Africa and Nigeria, are lagging behind other innovative peers, says Paul Cook of Silvertree Capital.

In my mind's eye, I have gathered some of history's greatest military strategists to discuss the state of the markets. Their conclusion is that cash should play a greater part in their portfolios.

Strong industry growth over past decade; Adverse effect of dearth of IPOs

The fight between the US Treasury and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac preference shareholders took a bizarre turn last month. Having filed a class-action lawsuit against the Treasury in June seeking $41 billion in damages from its suspension of dividends in August 2012, some preference shareholders in the two GSEs have now offered to buy them from the government as well.

There is too much bearish sentiment towards Brazil - investors shouldn't forget the long-term trends and the fundamental strengths of the economy.

OCC demands tighter standards; Cov-lite terms could spread to Europe.

Recent large-scale Chinese acquisitions and consortium agreements in the LatAm financial and energy sectors indicate the People’s Republic’s continuing interest in the region’s resources.

Rush to open free trade zone; aim to facilitate China’s entry into TPP.

At its Third Plenum, the Communist Party communicated its commitment to economic change. The country’s first free trade zone, in Shanghai, will act as the test bed, but without clarity on any number of policies, will international firms rush to set up shop?

The absence of senior officials at the opening of China’s first FTZ doesn’t mean it’s not a priority.

As international sanctions on the country are loosened after the ground-breaking, albeit tentative, nuclear deal, Iran’s influence in the region will undergo dramatic changes, argues Emad Mostaque, of Noah Capital Markets.

Bovespa is to abandon its volatility-driven index methodology. Its replacement should better represent the Brazilian market, but its relevance is being challenged by bespoke indices created by third parties, especially as ETFs grow in popularity.

Capital is flowing into Spain in expectation of the economy’s return to growth but optimism might be excessive.

Includes Bonds, Equities, Loans, M&A, MTN, Project Finance

Reverse repo to influence non-bank interest rates; money-market funds and GSEs swap cash for collateral.

Real estate likely beneficiary of growing investor firepower.

Peer-to-peer lender in exploratory talks with banks, hedge funds and family offices; P2P ‘can be 20% of market within a decade’.

AllianzGI survey finds increased regulation costs investors 2.3% of performance.