Genworth MI Canada: Successful IPO, But Mixed Market Reaction
July 9, 2009
What to take from Genworth's IPO | www.theglobeandmail.com
Genworth Financial (NYSE:GNW) completed an IPO of their Canadian operations in a bid to raise capital to pay down debt at the parent company. The mortgage insurer’s Canadian offering raised at least C$850 million (44.7mm shares priced at C$19 per share and the underwriters have the option to sell an additional C$127mm (6.7mm shares) up until August 6th). If the option is exercised in full, Genworth Financial would have a 56% ownership interest in Genworth MI Canada (TSX:MIC). This is the largest IPO in the Canadian marketplace since 2007, when gold miner Franco-Nevada raised C$1.3bn, and is only one of a handful of IPO’s completed in Canada YTD.
Institutional Investors Participation in Recent Equities Market Rally: A Canadian Perspective
April 20, 2009
financial times ft.com | www.ft.com
The major Canadian equities market index, the S&P/TSX Composite Index, is up 5% YTD (up 25% since March 9th, 2009) ; with the overall value traded down 27%, and volume up roughly 18% compared with the same period last year on a year-over-year basis. The number of transactions is up 26% YTD vs. the same period last year. The TSX Venture exchange (which consists of micro and small capitalization companies) is up 24% YTD. The consensus among institutional investors in Canada, as elsewhere around the globe, remains divided. A few things likely need to occur before the majority of the naysayers move toward the other camp, such as; a visible and sustainable improvement in the global economy, a broad-based recovery in corporate earnings, a steady and meaningful increase in the prices of commodities, a slowdown or reversal in the recent rate of increase in the unemployment rate, more balanced conditions in the housing market, and a significant positive shift in consumer confidence.
Hedge Funds Need A Survival Strategy
March 26, 2009
Pensions seen fueling hedge fund industry growth | www.reuters.com
Hedge funds lost more than $700 billion in second half of 2008, and 2009 might be even worse given the current outlook for the financial and economic environment. Hedge funds need a survival strategy and more metrics need to be shared on both sides of the conversation between the hedge fund and institutional client. Those hedge funds that survive need to offer, among other things; repeatable performance, fair fees, top-notch client service, robust risk management, transparency, sound operational infrastructure, and a safety guarantee for custody of and institutions assets.
BATS Beats Turquoise, Europe's MTFs Look More Volatile Than Ever Under Mifid
March 26, 2009
BATS Europe Passes Turquoise In Market Share, Sets Numerous Volume Records | www.mondovisione.com
The fact that Turquoise has lost its shareholder market makers has caused its volume to slump, allowing upstart (and US 500lb gorilla) BATS Europe to leap ahead in market share. Takeovers by legacy exchanges now look more likely than ever.
NASCAR Retains A Super Brand But In An Expensive Domain
March 25, 2009
Turner Revs Up Original Nascar Web Series | www.mediaweek.com
NASCAR has become the most successful motorsport brand in the USA. However, other series are suffering massive financial issues as sponsors drop out in the current economic climate and experts point to a drop in US motorsport sponsorship in 2009.
Recent Moves by the FED and Treasury: Do They Raise More Questions Than They Answer?
March 25, 2009
Confidence Returning to Equities | www.bloomberg.com
Critical questions remain unanswered, and these questions will in all likelihood not be cleared up until the plan begins operation, such as: Will investors (through auction via FDIC) offer high enough bids to entice bankers to sell illiquid assets? Will regulators force banks to participate regardless of where bids are at? How quickly will the plan be implemented? What loans are eligible for the auction? Is this whole process too bureaucratic?
March 23, 2009
Suncor, Petro-Canada agree to $19.2B merger | www.financialpost.com
Merger creates Canada’s biggest energy company with global stature. The new combined entity consists of the largest Oil Sands resource position. Both companies were in need of cutting costs given tough economic and industry conditions. Suncor itself was looking ripe for a takeover given the depressed share valuation (down roughly 35% over the last 12 months) and relatively low price of crude as of late, and is getting a “good deal” with the acquisition of Petro-Canada.
Adair: FSA Will Be Tougher But Not As Tough As Some?
March 20, 2009
London will remain key financial centre as light-touch regulation ends, Turner insists | www.telegraph.co.uk
The Turner Report hints that the UK FSA may get tough but not really that tough, or at least, they are going to leave the being really tough bit to other jurisdictions...
Sun Life's Indonesian Acquisition: CIMB Will Boost Presence In Priority Growth Region
March 19, 2009
Acquisition Sun Life, CIMB team up to form joint venture | www.thejakartapost.com
Yes, I think the CIMB acquisition will significantly help Sun Life in tapping into Indonesia’s insurance sector where the company has had a presence since 1995 through P.T. Sun Life Financial Indonesia (which has four telemarketing centers, eight bank partners, and 3,800 agents). Indonesia remains a key priority geographic region for both large Canadian insurers (i.e., Sun Life and Manulife), as it is one of the fastest growing insurance markets in Asia. This transaction will increase Sun Life’s presence and reach in Asia, where they intend on continuing to build and grow their franchise consistent with the company's long-term strategy.
Moscow Exchange Makes An Eastern Advance
March 19, 2009
The UB Post-Leading English News - Mongolian and Russia Taking Stock in Each Other | ubpost.mongolnews.mn
MICEX and RTS are clearly competing in Russia's securities market but now MICEX are looking to tie up some overseas opportunities at some distance to their Moscow base.
New FINRA Rule 2210-Simplification Whose Time Has Come
November 4, 2009
ADP Must Grow Three Major Markets for Continued Success
October 22, 2009
Battle for Dominance in Mortgage Fraud Analytics Space
October 17, 2009
All hands on deck, full steam ahead
September 7, 2009
Dollar destined to be second class currency in world's largest banana republic
September 1, 2009