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US investors could put more than $470 billion to work in US treasuries if Asia’s appetite for dollars continues to fall. Analysts identifify a huge potential for domestic reallocation.

Equal opportunities mean that the City of London is no longer just a boozy boys’ club – and rightly so. But plying punters with alcohol and beautiful women is still a great way to promote your product, even in these politically correct days. Just ask Threadneedle Investments.

Three monoline insurers were used to credit wrap Scotia Gas Networks’ £2.22 billion ($3.9 billion) bond sale via sole arranger Barclays Capital, and lead managers Citibank, RBS and DrKW in October. This deal refinanced acquisition loans extended for the purchase of the Scotland Gas Networks and Southern Gas Networks from National Grid Transco in June (five out of nine networks were also sold). Although investors are hungry for stable investment-grade credit (BBB in this case), the lack of financial history – a requirement for an exchange listing – meant that arranger Barclays was required to bring in the monolines – Ambac, FSA and XL Capital. The structure was sliced into 11 tranches and sold to a wide variety of investors (euro and sterling, fixed, floating and index linked). SGN is owned by Scottish and Southern Energy (50%), Ontario Teachers (25%) and Borealis Infrastructure (25%).

But withdrawal of investors with unrealistic expectations seen as advantageous.

Why CFOs should stop mistrusting hedge funds

Arab banks have sustained the recovery that began in 2002, with Gulf institutions in the forefront. Morris Helal reports. Research provided by Capital Intelligence.

Many investors fear October because it is associated with a number of market crashes. But according to research from ADVFN, a pan-European equity markets website, it is actually quite a good month for equities.

In the face of an uncertain economic outlook, including rising inflation caused by oil price rises and the scrapping of heavy fuel subsidies that forced rises in local interest rates, the Indonesian government has raised $1.5 billion of bonds. The government’s steps actually helped the issue since international investors felt that the administration of president Yudhoyono is finally getting to grips with the problems facing the country. The government issued $900 million 10-year bonds at a yield of 7.625% and $600 million 30-year bonds at a yield of 8.625%, respectively 329 and 406 basis points over US treasuries.

New US bankruptcy laws that came into effect in October will alter the way companies go through restructuring and might make it harder to enter Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. In addition the ability of companies to manage their own reorganization will be affected – giving creditors more say after a few months.

Why pension funds need commodity exposure

Wealth management arm put on course to “grow by multiples”. The appointment of Thomas Kalaris as chief executive of Barclays Wealth Management signals the start of a rapid build-up.

Increasing numbers of pension funds in Europe are making the choice not to use hedge funds in the region since returns have dropped off.