Sovereign wealth fund (SWF)
Banking consolidation continues apace
After months of speculation of its weakest elements, the global banking sector has undergone what many are calling a long overdue consolidation within the space of a few days. Here's a summary of what has happened, its happening - and may happen next.
Triple shock leaves Wall Street in disarray
News of the Lehman Brothers' demise, the sale of Merrill Lynch and major concerns over the health of a range of other financial institutions has put the risk of rapid contagion and a systemic meltdown of the financial sector back at the top of central…
China using reserves for political gain - report
China's State Administration of Foreign Exchange appears to have used its reserve stockpile, the largest in the world, to influence diplomatic relations between Costa Rica and Taiwan.
Congress to hold hearing to "stay on top" of SWFs
A US Congressman has called a hearing to examine the impact of sovereign wealth funds' purchases of stakes in some of Wall Street's finest.
SWF code a "valuable solution": IMF's Lipksy
John Lipsky, the first deputy managing director of the International Monetary Fund, has said that a voluntary code of conduct for sovereign wealth funds, provisionally agreed Tuesday, would help capital flow efficiently and promote global financial…
SWFs do not distort asset prices
Investments by sovereign wealth funds that are not economically motivated will not distort asset prices, finds new research from the European Central Bank.
US should follow IMF's lead on SWFs
US lawmakers heading a working group on sovereign wealth funds have deemed the International Monetary Fund, not the US Congress, the appropriate forum for addressing funds' transparency and accountability.
SWF report from State Street
The latest report from State Street Corporation, a provider of financial services to institutional investors, assesses the impact of sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) on the global economy. Currently State Street estimates that SWFs have about $3 trillion in…
Motivation should temper SWF fears
Examining the principal motivation for sovereign wealth funds should allay concerns such as fear of industrial espionage or geopolitical threats, states research by Deutsche Bank.
SWFs scaling back dollar holdings, says FT
Sovereign wealth funds are reducing their dollar holdings, the Financial Times has reported.
Japanese SWF proposed
A panel of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has recommended that Japan should establish a sovereign wealth fund managing 10 trillion ($93 billion) in assets drawn from the country's pension reserves to bolster returns.
Sarkozy in SWF U-turn
Nicolas Sarkozy, the French president, is having second thoughts about sovereign wealth funds. So much so that he is even suggesting that France should have one.
Russia seeks greater gains for SWF
Senior Russian politicians have backed plans to create a government agency to enable its sovereign wealth fund to pursue a riskier investment strategy, according to media reports.
Korean SWF could buy Lehman stake
Korea's sovereign wealth fund is one of a number of the country's official institutions that could inject funds into Lehman Brothers, an investment bank, it was revealed on Thursday.
Brazil may fast-track SWF law
Brazil's finance minister on Monday said that the country will set up a sovereign wealth fund in spite of recent reports that the country's president may reject the plans.
Chinese fund to invest $7.4bn in private equity
A Chinese sovereign fund could invest as much as $7.4 billion in the private equity industry.
SWF task force touches down in Middle East
A task force of the United States Congress, charged with gaining more insight into sovereign wealth funds, has touched down in the Middle East and is visiting a number of the region's funds.
Brazilian SWF: on or not?
The status of the Brazilian plans to establish a sovereign wealth fund has become clouded following reports of conflicting views in the government.
From villains to heroes
Avinash Persaud says we should thank our lucky stars for sovereign wealth funds
Group set up to work on SWF code
Sovereign wealth funds and International Monetary Fund officials have set up a working group to design a voluntary code of conduct due out later this year.
Saudi to set up $5.3 billion wealth fund
Saudi Arabia is in the final stages of launching its first sovereign wealth fund.
Fed welcomes SWF investment
Scott Alvarez, the general counsel of the Federal Reserve, has told the US Senate that the central bank welcomed investments by foreign sovereign wealth funds in American banks and financial institutions.
Lehman creates new role to woo SWFs
Lehman Brothers, an investment bank, has appointed Makram Azar, formerly the head of its media, consumer and retail investment banking businesses in Europe and the Middle East, to the new position of global head of sovereign wealth funds.