Latin America’s two biggest equity markets have agreed to integrate as part of a pilot scheme to bolster liquidity in the region. Brazilian and Mexican investors to gain access to each other’s markets.

Middle Eastern private investment and advisory firm Injazat Capital is launching a $100 million Islamic-compliant healthcare fund this month.

GSAM's boutique structure provides a potential model for other asset managers.

It is one of the great ironies of the European bond market that one of the largest market distortions occurs within the sovereign sector and are caused by the direct actions of Europe’s sovereign debt managers. The regulatory environment in Europe is tighter than ever, with the EU taking an aggressive and sometimes misguided stance in its aim of eliminating distortions in the capital markets, notably with its Market Abuse Directive and MiFID. And yet, despite all the EU’s talk of market efficiency, it ignores the market abuse happening right under its nose.

The procedure is an important step towards the cash settlement of the entire CDS market.

Thai and Malaysian companies performed strongly in this year’s annual survey of which companies leading financial analysts rate as the best in Asia. Paul Pedzinski reports.

Noriba exits some investments early after strong performance.

The world’s largest foreign exchange banks have made a mistake in streaming prices to scores of electronic platforms and inviting everyone to participate in them. Now, they want to take back control. As Lee Oliver finds out, a new bank-only system is being touted as the answer. Who is behind it, and will it succeed?

Investment banks need to think carefully about which institutions they market their services to.

Can wealth management truly thrive within the confines of an investment bank?

The wounds from the region’s financial crisis may have healed on company balance sheets but the trauma remains

Proposals in the French budget bill for 2006 and discussions in parliament last month could lead to significant changes in France’s public sector debt and risk management. Risk management role for AFT as Cades remains separate borrower.

Trichet’s statements have profound implications for some EU member states

As banks get ready to divide up their bonus pool in December or early January, some fixed income traders had better get ready to be disappointed.

Hidden issuers are using swaps rather than bonds

Report says lower risk weighting will encourage banks to look at MMFs.

Conditions attached to buy-out completion is more a sign of desperation than discernment.

First non-investment grade trade shows the spoils to come in distressed debt trading.

Wondering what to do with that well-earned bonus? Embarrassed by unsightly bulges when you’re working out at the gym?

JPMorgan Asset Management has won entrepreneur Sir Alan Sugar’s City of London contest to raise money for the Hackney Empire, an east London theatre. Eight firms competed in the challenge, based on TV programme The Apprentice, which started in the UK in October. The aim was to raise as much money as possible. JPMorgan raised almost £98,000 of the £195,000 total.

It may not be the sort of lead arranging mandate Deutsche Bank normally undertakes, but it’s for a very good cause.

But Singh’s government must hold steady on the road to reform.

As the festive season approaches, speculation is rife about who will get the lion’s share of this year’s bonus pool. But that’s nothing compared to the build-up to the Morgan Stanley staff pantomime. As the bank is again generously sponsoring the season at London’s Old Vic Theatre, where Kevin Spacey is artistic director, its employees also get the chance to tread the theatre’s hallowed boards. After the Old Vic production of pantomime ‘Aladdin’, Morgan Stanley takes over the theatre for one night in January to put on its own show.

Amir Hoveyda has become sole head of EMEA debt capital markets at Merrill Lynch. Appointed joint DCM head a year ago, he will pass responsibility for financial institutions to Siddharth Prasad. Under Hoveyda, Merrill has enjoyed a significant success in hybrid capital. His former co-head, Spencer Lake, will now focus on the public sector and corporate coverage effort. Jan Pethick remains chairman of EMEA DCM, which comprises all origination activities across the fixed income universe, including cash and derivatives.

Originally established under the white minority regime to compulsorily house non-white labour outside the cities, South Africa’s townships are now obvious targets for a nascent low-income housing finance market.

There’s little to choose between the world’s two heavyweight institutional fund managers as they square up to fight for profitability. BGI and SSgA both have commendable records and both are now testing out new strategies.

The cost of retaining commodities traders is rising faster than comparable costs in any other area on the street, according to a new financial markets compensation report published by executive search and strategic consulting firm Options Group. “Energy has been a very neglected business for a long time, especially the area of energy derivatives,” says the group’s co-founder, Michael Karp. “Now lots of banks are trying to recruit in this area and commodities traders’ compensation packages should be up 30% from last year. It’s been difficult to find skilled energy traders for a couple of years but now the market’s getting tougher on a daily basis.”

Until recently only multilaterals with a regional mandate, such as the ADB and IFC, have shown much interest in issuing bonds in Asian currencies. But KfW is planning a three-pronged attack on local-currency issuance in 2006. So are local markets about to take off?

Chinese bonds have no relative value. Its equity market is convoluted and stagnant. So why all the hype and hysteria? Theodore J Kim reports.

M&A activity is changing the Asian banking landscape and the relative positions of banks in Euromoney’s rankings.