Bears thrive on accelerating inflation, weak growth and a falling real. But a positive, reforming response to protests might transform sentiment in Brazil.

A string of Fed announcements and decisions has baffled US markets and bank decision makers.

Market share of financial businesses vital to supporting global economic growth is concentrating rapidly into the hands of a small group of the world’s biggest banks. Dealogic finds that of the $36.3 billion customers paid out in investment banking fees in the first six months of 2013, 56% of that total, fully $20.3 billion, went to just 10 banks.

Banks are talking a good game about playing to their strengths. But a real differentiation of business models at the top of the industry has not happened yet.

June was the worst month for emerging markets since at least 2008. What about the next five years?

Suntory Beverage might be just the tonic, or shot in the arm, that the Asian markets have needed.

A slight improvement in the UK’s economic outlook cannot mask the challenges facing the BoE’s new governor.

It’s the most successful bank of the post-financial crisis generation. But alongside numbers that make its rivals green with envy, it maintains a steadfastly old-fashioned approach to the business of banking. Is this what a model modern bank should look like? Or is there more to Wells Fargo than meets the eye?

Since 1992 Euromoney, the world’s leading financial markets magazine, has singled out the outstanding institutions in finance. Over the years, the Awards for Excellence have evolved with the markets they cover. They now incorporate 25 global awards for banking and capital markets; and awards for the best banks and securities houses in almost 100 countries around the world.

The conservatorship of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac has been lucrative for the US government, but it can’t run the US mortgage market forever.

The UK bank is the best performer by market value growth during the past 18 months, edging out Bank of America; RBS and Brazilian banks are the worst performers in the first six months of 2013.

Retail investors fled the credit markets during June, following the jump in US treasuries amid fears over Fed policy. But life insurers and pension funds, spotting desperately needed higher absolute yields, have been selectively buying.

Agency to apply corporate rating experience to smaller firms to stimulate greater investor participation.

Few external candidates look credible successors to Stephen Hester.

Signs of a U-turn in thinking at the top could see bank balance sheets finally cleaned up in ‘Europe’s Takenaka moment’, according to analysts at Berenberg Bank, warning a more punitive leverage ratio could take markets by surprise.