Search results for

Korea

China's economy is humming along in top gear but its domestic securities markets remain stuck in neutral. As the central government continues to struggle with financial reform, losses mount and systemic risk increases.

Macquarie Securities' Baywatch-themed relaunch party at London's exclusive rooftop bar, Coq d'Argent, received a cool reception from some guests and not just because of the un-Baywatch like winter weather. The hosts, who were more modestly dressed than most of Baywatch's former cast members such as Pamela Anderson and David Hasselhoff, had told guests to expect Australian pop diva Kylie Minogue to make an appearance later in the evening.

Leading equity derivatives players are pitching higher yields and name diversification to CDO investors. But deals need to be conservatively modelled and attractively priced.

Larger Asian companies have seen the benefits from improving their governance in investment and foreign expansion. Now smaller companies are also recognizing the advantages of compliance with international standards and starting to shine in our annual best Asian companies poll.

Equities

A prominent Hong Kong investment banker related a tale of events surrounding the recent death of an unnamed local property magnate. On learning of their father's imminent demise, his two sons rushed to the patriarch's bedside. Seeing him losing his grip on life, the siblings eyed each other, consulted and rushed their father from his hospital bed. They boarded a helicopter for Macau where the old man passed away peacefully.

The word once again in New York is that leading investment banks will have to subsume themselves in larger, commercial banking organizations or face loss of business. It's an old argument. And it's as wrong as it ever was.

Many US corporates will be breathing a sigh of relief after the announcement by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that it will grant certain companies an extra 45 days to submit reports on their internal controls. At present companies are obliged to submit annual reports to the SEC within 75 days after the end of the fiscal year. Section 404 of Sarbanes-Oxley requires that these annual reports include a management assessment on internal controls over financial reporting, as well as the related auditor's report on the management's assessment.

It's that time of year all employees look forward to - the Christmas office party, a chance to let down your hair with fellow colleagues and drink and eat your employer out of business. But it is not only the bar bill your boss could be dreading.

Corporate bonds

Asian governments have been fighting a rearguard action to hold down their currencies. They have stopped external surpluses from fuelling domestic inflation. But they are at their limits.