Iranian elections have supposedly put a very nice ‘moderate’ spin on Iranian politics in parliamentary ranks, and more importantly, Assembly of Experts composition. While it would be churlish to deny, it represents a significant step forward for President Rouhani’s agenda to 2017, albeit a number of vital caveats remain for how real any political shift actually is. We’ll do the Parliament first, and then move onto the Assembly second. With a ‘grand finale’ of what it means for Iranian...
Read More »Emerging Market Preview of the Week Ahead
EM ended last week on a soft note, due to a variety of both external and internal factors. Firm US data continue to support our call for resumed Fed tightening, and this gave the dollar a bit of a bid. With the dollar gaining against the majors, this spilled over into generalized dollar gains vs. EM as well. Weak data out of China this week poses a risk to EM, though we suspect that how China markets react will set the tone for the wider EM.Idiosyncratic EM risk remains in play too. ...
Read More »Emerging Market Preview, First Week of March
EM ended last week on a soft note, due to a variety of both external and internal factors. Firm US data continue to support our call for resumed Fed tightening, and this gave the dollar a bit of a bid. With the dollar gaining against the majors, this spilled over into generalized dollar gains vs. EM as well. Weak data out of China this week poses a risk to EM, though we suspect that how China markets react will set the tone for the wider EM.Idiosyncratic EM risk remains in play too. ...
Read More »Emerging Markets: What has Changed
1) Indonesia announced it will allow full foreign ownership in many local industries in an effort to boost foreign investment 2) The Thai military government called a referendum on the new constitution on July 31 3) Poland’s ruling Law and Justice party dropped its backing for candidate Wnorowski to join the MPC 4) The IMF is starting to warn Ukraine 5) Press reports suggest some slippage in Brazil’s fiscal consolidation efforts 6) Mexico’s Finance Minister Videgaray acknowledged...
Read More »Can Maduro Mayhem Last to 2017
Things are turning increasingly ugly in Venezuela between President Maduro and the opposition MUD. The core political problem after December 2015 elections is the PSUV are now using the courts to neuter any opposition voices that formally hold a legislative majority to start holding the government to account. Right on cue, Mr. Maduro just railed a decree through the Supreme Court (TSJ) giving him total control over budgetary measures, utilize any property, suspect constitutional rights...
Read More »Can Maduro Mayhem Last to 2017
Things are turning increasingly ugly in Venezuela between President Maduro and the opposition MUD. The core political problem after December 2015 elections is the PSUV are now using the courts to neuter any opposition voices that formally hold a legislative majority to start holding the government to account. Right on cue, Mr. Maduro just railed a decree through the Supreme Court (TSJ) giving him total control over budgetary measures, utilize any property, suspect constitutional rights...
Read More »Emerging Markets: What has Changed
1) Indonesia announced it will allow full foreign ownership in many local industries in an effort to boost foreign investment 2) The Thai military government called a referendum on the new constitution on July 31 3) Poland’s ruling Law and Justice party dropped its backing for candidate Wnorowski to join the MPC 4) The IMF is starting to warn Ukraine 5) Press reports suggest some slippage in Brazil’s fiscal consolidation efforts 6) Mexico’s Finance Minister Videgaray acknowledged...
Read More »Emerging Markets: What has Changed
1) Indonesia announced it will allow full foreign ownership in many local industries in an effort to boost foreign investment 2) The Thai military government called a referendum on the new constitution on July 31 3) Poland’s ruling Law and Justice party dropped its backing for candidate Wnorowski to join the MPC 4) The IMF is starting to warn Ukraine 5) Press reports suggest some slippage in Brazil’s fiscal consolidation efforts 6) Mexico’s Finance Minister Videgaray acknowledged...
Read More »Emerging Markets: What has Changed
1) Indonesia announced it will allow full foreign ownership in many local industries in an effort to boost foreign investment 2) The Thai military government called a referendum on the new constitution on July 31 3) Poland’s ruling Law and Justice party dropped its backing for candidate Wnorowski to join the MPC 4) The IMF is starting to warn Ukraine 5) Press reports suggest some slippage in Brazil’s fiscal consolidation efforts 6) Mexico’s Finance Minister Videgaray acknowledged...
Read More »Emerging Markets: Preview of the Week Ahead
EM assets for the most part fared well last week, and positive sentiment should carry over into this week. China reported January foreign reserves over the weekend, and they fell less than expected to $3.231 bln. China markets are closed this week for the New Year holiday. While there should be little risk of negative headlines from the mainland, markets should watch how CNH trades in the offshore markets that are open. Oil prices should also be regarded as an important factor behind...
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