Reserves
High reserves and low yields force central banks to focus on returns – survey
Equities become more important in reserve portfolios, accounting for 90% of returns in 2017
Zimbabwe clears debt with IMF but hurdles to financing remain
IMF looks to extend debt deadline for Somalia and Sudan
Book notes: China’s Great Wall of Debt, by Dinny McMahon
McMahon is too pessimistic about the chances of China managing to get its great wall of debt under control, writes Michael Taylor, but he is undoubtedly right about the scale of the challenge
BIS paper studies evolving renminbi exchange rates
It is “premature” to declare a stable zone for the renminbi, the paper concludes
Central banks need a consistent approach to accounting for monetary gold
Kenneth Sullivan presents a case study highlighting the challenges for central banks in consistently accounting for monetary gold
SBP devalues rupee again as reserves dwindle
Two years on from its last IMF rescue package, Pakistan is again experiencing balance of payments troubles
Icelandic central bank seeks to improve financial position
Bank cuts payments to commercial banks on deposits and may seek capital injection
Central banks still value diversification, say reserve managers
Rise in US yields does not outweigh the benefits of forex diversification, say delegates attending Nalm Americas
Barbados calls for help from IMF as economic situation worsens
Fund to provide technical assistance with new economic plan as government suspends debt payments to external creditors
New forex tool has made Jamaican market more competitive – Wynter
Jamaican governor says B-FXITT has levelled the playing field for smaller dealers, while larger dealers are being pushed to provide better products
Pakistan strengthens China ties with expanded swap agreement
Doubling of swap line is latest in a series of sometimes controversial integration measures
Belize must act to escape cycle of defaults – IMF staff
The country has completed a third debt restructuring in a decade, but IMF research says fiscal consolidation is needed to put debt on a “clear downward trajectory”
Higher interest rates prove a challenge for reserve managers
Argentina has lost 14.3% of its reserves since late April trying to defend the peso; central banks can employ accounting methods to handle turbulence, expert says
South Korea will publish data on forex interventions
US Treasury report called recent South Korean forex moves “concerning”
Reserve managers cautious on renminbi, despite predicting rapid growth
Market liberalisation, government intervention and PBoC’s approach to new areas of investment are top concerns
Rising global debt puts pressure on emerging markets, says Mminele
Sarb deputy notes a strengthening dollar puts emerging markets with large dollar liabilities at risk
Global gold demand weakens despite central bank surge
WGC figures show Q1 demand was its lowest for 10 years, though central banks bought more
Official reserve management in the 21st century
A lack of operational clarity and reluctance to view reserve portfolios holistically have prevented optimal, rules-based approaches to reserve management becoming commonplace. BlackRock‘s Terrence Keeley, Stuart Jarvis and Michael Palframan explain how…
Norway’s pension fund suffers volatile first quarter
Fund loses $21 billion amid market gyrations but real estate proves its worth