Global ETF News Older than One Year
IMF Working Paper-FinTech in Financial Inclusion: Machine Learning Applications in Assessing Credit Risk
May 17, 2019--May 17, 2019--Summary:
Recent advances in digital technology and big data have allowed FinTech (financial technology) lending to emerge as a potentially promising solution to reduce the cost of credit and increase financial inclusion. However, machine learning (ML) methods that lie at the heart of FinTech credit have remained largely a black box for the nontechnical audience.
This paper contributes to the literature by discussing potential strengths and weaknesses of ML-based credit assessment through (1) presenting core ideas and the most common techniques in ML for the nontechnical audience; and (2) discussing the fundamental challenges in credit risk analysis. FinTech credit has the potential to enhance financial inclusion and outperform traditional credit scoring by (1) leveraging nontraditional data sources to improve the assessment of the borrower's track record; (2) appraising collateral value; (3) forecasting income prospects; and (4) predicting changes in general conditions. However, because of the central role of data in ML-based analysis, data relevance should be ensured, especially in situations when a deep structural change occurs, when borrowers could counterfeit certain indicators, and when agency problems arising from information asymmetry could not be resolved. To avoid digital financial exclusion and redlining, variables that trigger discrimination should not be used to assess credit rating.
Source: IMF
IMF Working Paper-Rethinking Fiscal Policy in Oil-Exporting Countries
May 17, 2019--Summary:
We examine the existing fiscal policy paradigm in commodity-exporting countries. First, we argue that its centerpiece—the permanent income hypothesis (PIH)-is not consistent with either intergenerational equity or long-term sustainability in the presence of uncertainty. Policies to achieve these goals need to be more prudent and better anchored than the PIH.
Second, we point out the presence of a volatility tradeoff between government spending and wealth and re-assess long-held views on the appropriate fiscal anchors, the vice of procyclicality, and the (im)possibility of simultaneously smoothing consumption and ensuring intergenerational equity and sustainability. Finally, we propose what we call a prudent wealth stabilization policy that would be more consistent with long-term fiscal policy goals, yet relatively simple to implement and communicate.
view the IMF Working Paper-Rethinking Fiscal Policy in Oil-Exporting Countries
Source: IMF
ETFGI reports assets invested in the Global ETF and ETP industry reached a record $5.57 trillion at the end of April 2019
May 17, 2019--ETFGI, a leading independent research and consultancy firm covering trends in the global ETF/ETP ecosystem, reported today that ETFs and ETPs listed Globally gathered net inflows of US$45.94 billion in March, bringing year-to-date net inflows to US$145.74 billion.
Assets invested in the Global ETF/ETP industry finished the month up 3.2%, from US$5.4 trillion at the end of March, to US$5.57 trillion, according to ETFGI's April 2019 Global ETF and ETP industry landscape insights report, an annual paid-for research subscription service. (All dollar values in USD unless otherwise noted.)
Highlights
Assets invested in the Global ETF/ETP industry reach a new record US$5.57 Tn.
Assets invested in the Global ETF/ETP industry increased 3.2% in April.
During April 2019, ETFs/ETPs listed Globally attracted $45.94 Bn in net inflows.
Source: ETFGI
Firms see risks on the horizon as LIBOR disappears
May 16, 2019--LIBOR and other interbank rates will disappear in 2021
Banks and other financial firms are bracing for a host of risks that may accompany the move away from interbank offered rates (IBORs), such as the London IBOR, to alternative financial benchmarks, Moody’s Investors Service reports.
The rating agency says that financial firms are expecting financial, operational, legal, regulatory and technological risks when the IBORs are replaced in 2021.
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Source: investmentexecutive.com
BetaShares-Global ETF Review Q1 2019: Fixated on Fixed Income
Within equities, North American exposures topped the charts, while, at a sector level, it was real estate that grew strongly as investors sought out high yield sectors to combat the lack of rate increases by the Fed. Financials and Technology ETFs were sold off, the first due to increased earnings pressure in the Banking industry and the latter due to profit taking as technology markets continued to rally.
The global ETF industry ended the first quarter of 2019 at a record high of US$5.4 trillion in assets under management (AUM), posting a strong quarterly growth rate of 12%.
Source: BetaShares
Oil Market Report: Markets remaining calm
At the time of writing, there is no disruption to oil supplies and prices are little changed. The IEA is monitoring the situation, particularly in view of the proximity of Fujairah to the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. We are also monitoring the impact of the contamination of Russian crude oil passing through the 1.4 mb/d Druzhba pipeline system. The issue will be resolved in due course, eased by commercial and government stock draws by Russia’s customers. One consequence could be a loss of confidence in the quality of the crude flows and thus a search, where feasible, for alternative supplies that could intensify price pressures for heavy/medium sour crude oil.
Source: International Energy Agency
Nasdaq Launches Global Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Reporting Guide for Companies
The 2019 ESG Reporting Guide includes the latest third-party reporting methodologies widely adopted by the industry, and aims to help companies navigate the evolving standards on ESG data disclosure, regardless of geography or market capitalization.
"ESG data points have become essential tools, not only for investors seeking performance indicators, but also for companies trying to increase operational efficiency, decrease resource dependency, and attract a new generation of empowered workers," said Nelson Griggs, President of the Nasdaq Stock Exchange.
Source: Nasdaq
Bitcoin vaults above $7 000 level as crypto rally gathers steam
Source: FIN24
MSCI adds Saudi Arabia, Argentina indexes to emerging markets index
MSCI said 30 Saudi Arabian securities would be added, representing an aggregate weight of 1.42% in the MSCI Emerging Markets Index, while eight Argentinian securities would be added at an aggregate weight of 0.26% in the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. All changes will be implemented as of the close of May 28.
Source: Zawya.com
Composite Leading Indicators (CLI), OECD, May 2019-CLIs continue to point to easing growth momentum in most major economies
On the other hand, the CLI for France now anticipates stable growth momentum, driven by improvements in consumer confidence, car registrations and share prices.
Among major emerging economies, stable growth momentum is now the assessment for the industrial sector in China, reflecting more positive signals from the chemicals and construction sectors and from share prices, and remains the assessment for India, with similar signs emerging in Russia. In Brazil, the CLI continues to point to growth gaining momentum.
Source: OECD
May 15, 2019--The first quarter of 2019 saw investors continue to preference investing via the ETF structure compared to traditional mutual funds, which continued to sustain net outflows. Fixed income was most definitely the flavour of the quarter, as investors moved to a decidedly risk-off position in their portfolios.
May 15, 2019--The theme we identified in last month's Report of "mixed signals" is appropriate again this month, with geopolitics and industry disruptions confusing the supply outlook, and the first change to our 2019 demand outlook for several months. The ongoing geopolitical supply concerns around Libya, Iran, and Venezuela have been joined in the past few days by the attacks on shipping off Fujairah and on two pumping stations in Saudi Arabia.
May 15, 2019--asdaq (Nasdaq: NDAQ) today announced the launch of its new global environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting guide to support public and private companies.
May 13, 2019--Bitcoin jumped above $7 000 and didn't look back, as its longest winning streak since 2013 continued to rekindle the global cryptocurrency market.
May 13, 2019--MSCI Inc, the world's largest index provider, said on Monday it would include the MSCI Saudi Arabia and MSCI Argentina indexes in its closely watched and widely duplicated emerging-markets index, in a move that could draw billions of dollars into the stocks.
May 13, 2019--Composite leading indicators (CLIs), designed to anticipate turning points in economic activity relative to trend six to nine months ahead, continue to point to easing growth momentum in most major economies.
Easing growth momentum remains the assessment for the United States, Japan, Canada, the United Kingdom and the euro area as a whole, including Germany and Italy.
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