{"id":24942,"date":"2014-04-10T20:05:51","date_gmt":"2014-04-11T01:05:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/prefblog.com\/?p=24942"},"modified":"2014-04-10T20:05:51","modified_gmt":"2014-04-11T01:05:51","slug":"april-10-2014","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/prefblog.com\/?p=24942","title":{"rendered":"April 10, 2014"},"content":{"rendered":"

Let’s all give three cheers for increased regulation<\/a>:<\/p>\n

New rules aimed at making the world safer from blowups in the $693 trillion derivatives market are poised to drive up costs so much for retirement funds and other users that bankers say they do just the opposite.<\/p>\n

The toughened standards, hatched five years ago after derivative losses almost crashed the global economy, are meant to safeguard trades and bring more openness to a market whose secrecy and sheer size overwhelmed regulators in 2008. Where swaps had been one-on-one deals before, now they would be backstopped by third parties in clearinghouses that ensure everyone can pay, with the aim of avoiding emergency bailouts and panic.<\/p>\n

Rules being finalized by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision in Switzerland will require banks to set aside more money in the event the swaps go bad. And not just a little bit more — as much as 92 times, or 9,100 percent, more, according to calculations by three banks shared with Bloomberg News. The higher costs in turn may cause market participants to flee rather than take advantage of the clearinghouses, making it more difficult for those third-party guarantors.
…<\/b>
Since banks act as customers\u2019 gatekeepers to the clearinghouses, the Basel committee wants them to protect themselves — and the global financial system — by matching every dollar they contribute to the default fund with a dollar of capital.<\/p>\n

If the rules were adopted, swaps dealers say that only the wealthiest investors would be able to use clearinghouses. Fewer members would mean eroded financial support for the clearinghouses, which are the last backstop before losses are borne by taxpayers.
…<\/b>
Executives in a bank\u2019s treasury department don\u2019t allocate the firm\u2019s money to trading desks without a guarantee that the profit on it will be about 10 percent to 15 percent a year after taxes, depending on the bank. In many cases, banks earn these returns by charging fees to clients.<\/p>\n

In one bank\u2019s internal model, a $100 million interest-rate swap between a dealer and its customer prior to the new Basel proposal would have meant that, before taxes, $14,750 in capital had to be set aside.<\/p>\n

When the bank\u2019s trading desk asks the firm\u2019s treasury for $14,750 as part of the trade, the traders would have to earn $3,404 per year before taxes for as long as the swap was active. That\u2019s in the old days.<\/p>\n

The same $100 million swap would look different under the new proposal. As part of accepting that trade, the clearinghouse would require the bank to deposit $1.2 million into its default fund. Under the Basel committee proposal, the bank would have to have $1.2 million more capital.<\/p>\n

According to the dealer bank, it would be required to generate more than $276,000 a year before taxes for that amount of capital. When charges such as the cost of funding and others are added to the trade, the tab balloons to $307,327 a year, the dealer said.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Fortunately, these new rules have been softened<\/a>:<\/p>\n

The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision\u2019s final rule, released today, would require swaps dealers to hold less cash to protect against defaults than did a proposal published last year. The plan now applies a minimum 20 percent risk weighting to money deposited at clearinghouses, which are third parties that guarantee the transactions, down from 1,250 percent in the original proposal. The change takes effect on Jan. 1, 2017.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

But central clearing is still a dumb idea.<\/p>\n

Here’s yet another indicator that the HFT panic is a marketing gimmick<\/a>:<\/p>\n

Royal Bank has emerged as a leader against predatory high-frequency trading at a time of increasing scrutiny from both regulators and the public after the release of Lewis\u2019s book, which claims the stock market is \u201crigged\u201d against investors. The bank is described by Lewis as fostering an \u201cRBC nice\u201d culture with its \u201cno asshole rule\u201d on hiring.<\/p>\n

High-frequency trading isn\u2019t inherently good or bad, Mills said. The problem arises when certain market players use technology to take advantage of others.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what we need as an industry, to see regulation mature to the point where it can begin to eliminate those predatory practices, and that\u2019s where we\u2019ll level the playing field,\u201d Mills said in a telephone interview yesterday.<\/p>\n

Royal Bank, along with seven partners, owns a stake in and helped found Aequitas, a market with similar goals to IEX. The Toronto-based bank is Canada\u2019s second-largest lender by assets.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne thing that\u2019s clear is that RBC is the common denominator between IEX and Aequitas,\u201d said Jos Schmitt, chief executive officer at Toronto-based Aequitas, in an April 1 interview at the company\u2019s headquarters in Royal Bank Plaza. \u201cIt tells you something about where they come from, what they stand for and what they seek to achieve. They translated that to being the spark in a change on Wall Street and on Bay Street.\u201d<\/p>\n

High-frequency trading firms have been accused of ripping off investors in the $22 trillion U.S. stock market by using tactics including paying for the right to trade in dark pools and placing their servers as close to the exchange as possible to speed up trading.<\/p>\n

Royal Bank saw what its competitors were doing and decided to go in a different direction, Mills said.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I’ve been saying for a while that the economy’s still no good, and that while government yields are clearly unsustainable, there is not yet a clear trigger of impending doom. Looks like there’s some support for that idea<\/a>:<\/p>\n

Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen and her international counterparts are suffering from a case of what psychologists call confirmation bias: They keep insisting inflation will accelerate even as it continues to ebb.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s the diagnosis of Ethan Harris, co-head of global economics research at Bank of America Corp. in New York. He says central bankers are seeing what they want to see by blaming subpar inflation in their countries on temporary, partly home-grown forces. That risks ignoring more lasting, global influences ranging from weak worldwide demand and more emerging-market competition to cheap labor in developing nations, cooling commodity prices and technological breakthroughs.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is much lower-than-expected inflation showing up in too many places in the world to dismiss it as transitory,\u201d said Allen Sinai, chief executive officer at consultant Decision Economics Inc. in New York.<\/p>\n

Almost two-thirds of the 121 economies tracked by Bloomberg are experiencing smaller gains in consumer prices than a year ago, with many undershooting their goals. Global inflation was just 2 percent in February, the lowest since late 2009, when the world was struggling with recession, according to a tally by economists at JPMorgan Chase & Co.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Greece and Ireland were in the bond market today<\/a>:<\/p>\n

Italian bonds gained for a second day and Belgian, French and German securities also rallied. Greek bonds fell, pushing 10-year yields up from near the lowest level since February 2010, as the nation agreed to sell 3 billion euros ($4.17 billion) of five-year notes via banks. Greece received about 600 orders for a total of around 20 billion euros, a person familiar with the sale said. Ireland auctioned 1 billion euros of 10-year debt at a record-low yield.<\/p>\n

\u201cBond markets have woken up on a positive note on the back of a dovish set of Fed minutes,\u201d said Richard McGuire, a fixed-income strategist at Rabobank International in London. \u201cThis is a classic case of an improving liquidity outlook raising all boats. The strong demand for Greece\u2019s five-year issue is symptomatic of a positive liquidity outlook trumping more fundamental concern.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

It was another positive day for the Canadian preferred share market, with PerpetualDiscounts winning 16bp, FixedResets up 5bp and DeemedRetractibles gaining 2bp. It is interesting to note that the median YTW on DeemedRetractibles remained negative for the second straight day and the fifth time on record, joining 2012-12-28<\/a>, 2013-1-4<\/a> and 2013-1-10<\/a>. Volatility was negligible. Volume was below average.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
HIMIPref™ Preferred Indices
These values reflect the December 2008 revision of the HIMIPref™ Indices<\/strong>
Values are provisional and are finalized monthly<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Index<\/td>\nMean
Current
Yield
(at bid)<\/td>\n		Median
YTW<\/td>\n		Median
Average
Trading
Value<\/td>\n		Median
Mod Dur
(YTW)<\/td>\n		Issues<\/td>\nDay’s Perf.<\/td>\nIndex Value<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ratchet<\/td>\n0.00 %<\/td>\n0.00 %<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n0.00<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n-0.5222 %<\/td>\n2,443.1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
FixedFloater<\/td>\n4.67 %<\/td>\n3.96 %<\/td>\n35,745<\/td>\n17.45<\/td>\n1<\/td>\n0.0000 %<\/td>\n3,633.5<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Floater<\/td>\n2.98 %<\/td>\n3.08 %<\/td>\n49,680<\/td>\n19.55<\/td>\n4<\/td>\n-0.5222 %<\/td>\n2,637.8<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
OpRet<\/td>\n4.36 %<\/td>\n-4.07 %<\/td>\n33,382<\/td>\n0.14<\/td>\n2<\/td>\n-0.0969 %<\/td>\n2,692.1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
SplitShare<\/td>\n4.81 %<\/td>\n4.41 %<\/td>\n62,652<\/td>\n4.26<\/td>\n5<\/td>\n-0.1588 %<\/td>\n3,084.2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Interest-Bearing<\/td>\n0.00 %<\/td>\n0.00 %<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n0.00<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n-0.0969 %<\/td>\n2,461.7<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Perpetual-Premium<\/td>\n5.54 %<\/td>\n-6.57 %<\/td>\n102,763<\/td>\n0.09<\/td>\n13<\/td>\n0.0030 %<\/td>\n2,386.2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Perpetual-Discount<\/td>\n5.43 %<\/td>\n5.37 %<\/td>\n123,448<\/td>\n14.61<\/td>\n23<\/td>\n0.1557 %<\/td>\n2,483.0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
FixedReset<\/td>\n4.68 %<\/td>\n3.64 %<\/td>\n210,169<\/td>\n4.20<\/td>\n79<\/td>\n0.0530 %<\/td>\n2,532.6<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Deemed-Retractible<\/td>\n5.03 %<\/td>\n-0.19 %<\/td>\n146,496<\/td>\n0.13<\/td>\n42<\/td>\n0.0211 %<\/td>\n2,491.1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
FloatingReset<\/td>\n2.63 %<\/td>\n2.38 %<\/td>\n213,546<\/td>\n4.12<\/td>\n5<\/td>\n-0.0239 %<\/td>\n2,479.8<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Performance Highlights<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Issue<\/td>\nIndex<\/td>\nChange<\/td>\nNotes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
BAM.PR.K<\/td>\nFloater<\/td>\n-1.22 %<\/td>\nYTW SCENARIO
\nMaturity Type : Limit Maturity
\nMaturity Date\t: 2044-04-10
\nMaturity Price : 16.94
\nEvaluated at bid price : 16.94
\nBid-YTW : 3.11 %<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
SLF.PR.G<\/td>\nFixedReset<\/td>\n1.02 %<\/td>\nYTW SCENARIO
\nMaturity Type : Hard Maturity
\nMaturity Date\t: 2025-01-31
\nMaturity Price : 25.00
\nEvaluated at bid price : 22.81
\nBid-YTW : 4.33 %<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Volume Highlights<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Issue<\/td>\nIndex<\/td>\nShares
Traded<\/td>\n		Notes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
TRP.PR.E<\/td>\nFixedReset<\/td>\n252,250<\/td>\nScotia crossed one block of 50,000 and two of 100,000 each, all at 25.45.
\nYTW SCENARIO
\nMaturity Type : Call
\nMaturity Date\t: 2019-10-30
\nMaturity Price : 25.00
\nEvaluated at bid price : 25.43
\nBid-YTW : 3.88 %<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
TRP.PR.A<\/td>\nFixedReset<\/td>\n68,622<\/td>\nNesbitt crossed 50,000 at 23.75.
\nYTW SCENARIO
\nMaturity Type : Limit Maturity
\nMaturity Date\t: 2044-04-10
\nMaturity Price : 22.95
\nEvaluated at bid price : 23.60
\nBid-YTW : 3.87 %<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
RY.PR.I<\/td>\nFixedReset<\/td>\n59,705<\/td>\nRBC crossed 50,000 at 25.60.
\nYTW SCENARIO
\nMaturity Type : Call
\nMaturity Date\t: 2019-02-24
\nMaturity Price : 25.00
\nEvaluated at bid price : 25.60
\nBid-YTW : 3.10 %<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
TRP.PR.B<\/td>\nFixedReset<\/td>\n55,765<\/td>\nNesbitt crossed 50,000 at 20.65.
\nYTW SCENARIO
\nMaturity Type : Limit Maturity
\nMaturity Date\t: 2044-04-10
\nMaturity Price : 20.61
\nEvaluated at bid price : 20.61
\nBid-YTW : 3.74 %<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
BAM.PR.R<\/td>\nFixedReset<\/td>\n52,959<\/td>\nRBC crossed 49,900 at 25.30.
\nYTW SCENARIO
\nMaturity Type : Limit Maturity
\nMaturity Date\t: 2044-04-10
\nMaturity Price : 23.64
\nEvaluated at bid price : 25.30
\nBid-YTW : 4.04 %<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
TD.PR.T<\/td>\nFloatingReset<\/td>\n42,475<\/td>\nScotia crossed 40,000 at 24.95.
\nYTW SCENARIO
\nMaturity Type : Call
\nMaturity Date\t: 2018-07-31
\nMaturity Price : 25.00
\nEvaluated at bid price : 24.97
\nBid-YTW : 2.51 %<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
There were 28 other index-included issues trading in excess of 10,000 shares.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Wide Spread Highlights<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Issue<\/td>\nIndex<\/td>\nQuote Data and Yield Notes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
ENB.PR.D<\/td>\nFixedReset<\/td>\nQuote: 24.41 – 24.70
\nSpot Rate : 0.2900
\nAverage : 0.1746<\/p>\n

YTW SCENARIO
\nMaturity Type : Limit Maturity
\nMaturity Date\t: 2044-04-10
\nMaturity Price : 23.04
\nEvaluated at bid price : 24.41
\nBid-YTW : 4.13 %<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

CU.PR.E<\/td>\nPerpetual-Discount<\/td>\nQuote: 23.79 – 24.23
\nSpot Rate : 0.4400
\nAverage : 0.3289<\/p>\n

YTW SCENARIO
\nMaturity Type : Limit Maturity
\nMaturity Date\t: 2044-04-10
\nMaturity Price : 23.44
\nEvaluated at bid price : 23.79
\nBid-YTW : 5.20 %<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

CU.PR.C<\/td>\nFixedReset<\/td>\nQuote: 25.66 – 25.99
\nSpot Rate : 0.3300
\nAverage : 0.2316<\/p>\n

YTW SCENARIO
\nMaturity Type : Call
\nMaturity Date\t: 2017-06-01
\nMaturity Price : 25.00
\nEvaluated at bid price : 25.66
\nBid-YTW : 3.27 %<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

PWF.PR.A<\/td>\nFloater<\/td>\nQuote: 19.42 – 20.00
\nSpot Rate : 0.5800
\nAverage : 0.4991<\/p>\n

YTW SCENARIO
\nMaturity Type : Limit Maturity
\nMaturity Date\t: 2044-04-10
\nMaturity Price : 19.42
\nEvaluated at bid price : 19.42
\nBid-YTW : 2.72 %<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

BNS.PR.P<\/td>\nFixedReset<\/td>\nQuote: 25.15 – 25.35
\nSpot Rate : 0.2000
\nAverage : 0.1222<\/p>\n

YTW SCENARIO
\nMaturity Type : Call
\nMaturity Date\t: 2018-04-25
\nMaturity Price : 25.00
\nEvaluated at bid price : 25.15
\nBid-YTW : 3.15 %<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

MFC.PR.L<\/td>\nFixedReset<\/td>\nQuote: 24.74 – 24.92
\nSpot Rate : 0.1800
\nAverage : 0.1093<\/p>\n

YTW SCENARIO
\nMaturity Type : Hard Maturity
\nMaturity Date\t: 2025-01-31
\nMaturity Price : 25.00
\nEvaluated at bid price : 24.74
\nBid-YTW : 4.09 %<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Let’s all give three cheers for increased regulation: New rules aimed at making the world safer from blowups in the $693 trillion derivatives market are poised to drive up costs so much for retirement funds …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-24942","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-market-action"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/prefblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24942","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/prefblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/prefblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prefblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prefblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=24942"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/prefblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24942\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/prefblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=24942"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prefblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=24942"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prefblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=24942"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}