Publisher Description

A summary of how stock markets work for those looking to invest. This book is a practical guide to Asia’s stock markets for a general audience. It is for people who do not know much about financial markets but, for whatever reason, would like to learn more. They could be seasoned expatriate pilots, academics and other professionals, newcomers in the region as well as students or young men and women about to start in the finance industry. The idea is to cut through the alphabet soup of industry jargon to provide a clear understanding of how these markets work, how they differ from each other in size and depth, what unique features each stock market has and what drives all the different sectors in these markets – consumers, the internet, banks and technology. The book includes helpful history lessons and personal anecdotes drawn from the author’s 30 years in the world of Asian investments.

The ongoing global financial crisis has manifested a remarkable degree of global financial integration—and its implications—for emerging Asian financial markets. The current crisis will not and should not deter the progress that the region has made toward financial openness and integration. However, events like this clearly demonstrate that financial liberalization and integration is not without risks. Hence, emerging Asian economies' growing financial ties have motivated us to look closer at the repercussions of increased financial integration and evaluate the benefits of risk sharing and better access to international capital markets against the costs of cross-border financial contagion. The crisis also presents a timely opportunity for the region’s policy makers to rethink their strategies for financial deregulation and liberalization and to reconsider a next step to integrate emerging East Asia’s financial markets further. However, doing so requires deeper understanding of financial market integration. While much has been said in both academic and policy circles about financial globalization and regional financial integration as separate areas of study, existing research has been relatively silent on the dynamics between these two distinctive forces. The book addresses this gap in financial literature and assesses financial integration in emerging East Asia at both regional and global levels. The publication studies the factors driving the progress of regional financial integration in relation to financial globalization and identifies the relevant policy challenges facing emerging market economies in the region. Chapters look into three broad aspects of regional and global financial market integration: (i) measurement of regional and global financial integration, (ii) understanding dynamics of regional financial integration versus global financial integration, and (iii) welfare implications from regional financial market integration amid financial globalization. Against this context, academics, policy makers, and other readers will appreciate the rigorous research contribution provided by the book.

An up-to-date, comprehensive analysis of the high-yield bond market in Asia Beginning with a general definition of high-yield bond products and where they reside within the corporate capital structure, this newly updated guide looks at the development of high-yield bonds in the United States and Europe before analysing this sector in Asia. It covers issuer countries and industries, ratings, and size distributions, and also covers the diversification of the high-yield issuer universe. It includes a thorough technical analysis of high-yield bond structures commonly employed in Asian transactions, including discussion of the respective covenants and security packages that vary widely across the region. Chapters and sections new to this edition cover such subjects as high-yield bond restructuring, the new high-yield "Dim Sum" market, and the high-yield placement market shutdown of 2008 – 2009. Finally, the book looks at the new characteristics of Asian economies for indicators on how the high-yield market will develop there are the near future. Offers an extremely detailed analysis of Asia's high-yield bond market Features new and updated material, including new coverage of the key differences between Asian structures and United States structures Ideal for CFOs of companies contemplating high-yield issuance, as well as investment bankers, bank credit analysts, portfolio managers, and institutional investors

Asia’s demand for second-generation financial institutions and markets needs to be met in order for the region’s further development to be sustained. This book provides a compelling, fact-based assessment of current practices and regulations in Asia’s financial institutions and markets and carefully documents the exciting opportunities and challenges that lie ahead in the region’s financial systems. This book differs in design from typical treatments of financial institutions and markets because its focus is on Asia rather than using the US model (in terms of market configurations or products) as a benchmark, and its takes a contemporary and forward-looking view of financial markets. Examples of practice from Asia are used to illustrate major accepted themes in finance and financial regulation. To the extent that Asia’s main economies share characteristics that are distinct, for example, in the relationship between government and the banking sector, or in aspects of corporate governance, the book will discuss the consequences for market operation and intermediation. The book’s carefully structured facts and rigorously argued analysis carry important implications both for students in business and law and for professionals new to financial markets in Asia. It will change the way that Asian financial markets and institutions is taught in universities as well as provide a valuable resource for professionals working in finance in Asia.

This volume comprises studies by leading research scholars in the United States and Asia on Asia’s debt capital markets. The book is unique in drawing upon the research, experience and perspectives of experts from the academic, legal, governmental and practical investment fields. They assess the risks and opportunities, and strategies for developing these markets. The authors adopt a multidisciplinary approach, encompassing economics, finance and law.