Learning by doing in market reform: Lessons from a regional bond fund

Local currency bond markets in East Asia and the Pacific have grown impressively since the 1997 Asian crisis, but policy authorities in the region realize they still have some work to do to allow the markets to realise their true potential. Hence, there have been a variety of regional initiatives to develop these markets. One of these initiatives is the Asian Bond Fund II, which was established by 11 central banks in East Asia and the Pacific in 2005. In creating a regional index bond fund and eight single-market funds, the central banks worked together to identify and come up with ways to reduce market impediments in eight local currency bond markets. Moreover, they built into the regional fund's structure an incentive mechanism for reducing impediments further. --

Market returns and mutual fund flows

With the increased popularity of mutual funds come increased concerns. Namely, could a sharp drop in stock and bond prices set off a cascade of redemptions by mutual fund investors and could the redemptions exert further downward pressure on asset markets? The authors analyze this relationship by using instrumental variables--a measuring technique previously unapplied to market returns and mutual fund flows--to determine the effect of returns on flows. Despite market observers' fears of a downward spiral in asset prices, the authors conclude that the short-term effect of market returns on mutual fund flows typically has been too weak to sustain such a spiral.Mutual funds ; Stock - Prices

Risk management by structured derivative product companies

In the early 1990s, some U.S. securities firms and foreign banks began creating subsidiary vehicles--known as structured derivative product companies (DPCs)--whose special risk management approaches enabled them to obtain triple-A credit ratings with the least amount of capital. At first, market observers expected credit-sensitive customers to turn increasingly to these DPCs. However, the authors find that structured DPCs--despite their superior ratings--have failed to live up to their initial promise and have yet to gain a competitive edge as intermediaries in the derivatives markets.Derivative securities ; Risk

Do international reactions of stock and bond markets reflect macroeconomic fundamentals?

Using quarterly data for the United States, Japan, and the United Kingdom, this article investigates the relationship between changes in fundamental economic conditions and the international reactions of stock and bond markets. The author assesses the degree to which the transmission of information about fundamentals prompts the stock or bond markets in different countries to move together.Stock market ; Bonds ; International finance

The recent growth of financial derivative markets

This article examines the reasons for the phenomenal growth of financial derivative markets in recent years. The author shows how specific demand forces have largely determined the direction and speed of the derivatives' spread.Money market ; Liquidity (Economics) ; Risk ; Options (Finance) ; Swaps (Finance) ; Futures

The pricing and hedging of market index deposits

Bank deposits ; Interest ; Hedging (Finance) ; Futures

Finance companies, bank competition, and niche markets

During the 1980s, U.S. commercial banks faced increased competition in their lending activity from large finance companies. This article analyzes the differential performance of banks and finance companies in various segments of the consumer and business credit markets. In particular, it explores why banks were seemingly slow to take advantage of opportunities in fast-growing finance company niche markets.Financial institutions ; Financial services industry ; Bank competition

Corporate refinancing in the 1990s

U.S. corporations have floated stocks and bonds in unprecedented amounts in the last year. How much have corporate treasurers reduced their firms' interest payments through such refinancing? After assessing the motives for refinancing, the authors estimate the aggregate interest savings achieved through equity issuance, bond calls, and bond sales and compare the effectiveness of refinancing and lower short-term interest rates in easing the interest burden on U.S. corporations' cash flows.Corporations - Finance ; Interest rates