• Healthy 2018 GCC issuance pace in sharp contrast to that seen in the broader Emerging Markets
  • Potential JP Morgan EMBI Index inclusion a clear positive for the region

Dubai, United Arab Emirates: GCC sovereign issuance has had another strong first half, with the two multi-tranche sovereign bond transactions of Saudi Arabia and Qatar leading issuance of over USD 30 billion in the hard currency market, according to Fisch Asset Management. The Zurich-based asset manager believes that full-year issuance could surpass last year’s levels.

Philipp Good, CEO at Fisch Asset Management, commented:

“This robust performance by the GCC primary markets stands out as particularly strong when compared to the broader emerging market trend, where aggregate issuance is lagging significantly behind 2017 levels. The emerging market segment has faced considerable headwinds this year, which have included higher US interest rates, weaker local currencies, and intensified threats to free trade. These factors, among many, have negatively impacted the performance of external debt products. These negative returns have, in turn, impaired inflows. Nonetheless, we do expect performance and inflows across emerging markets to improve meaningfully in the second half of the year, and we expect the GCC to continue issuing at a brisk pace.”

 

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*Projected

Source: Standard Chartered Bank, Bond Radar

Fisch noted the potential inclusion of the GCC region in the JP Morgan EMBI Index, with official phase-in expected to commence in early 2019, to be particularly relevant. The contemplated combined index weighting for the region may be more than 12%, as compared with the current allocation of 0%.

Good continued:

“To put the significance of this potential weighting into context, the combined weighting of index heavyweights China, Russia, and Brazil is currently just over 11%. This index inclusion will have a very positive impact on the investment demand dynamic for the GCC, as index-based funds will allocate more capital to the region – a process that has already begun, as confirmed by the recent positive price action of the GCC’s sovereign bonds.”

 

Likely candidates to come to the market in the second half of 2018

Fisch believes that Kuwait is likely to contribute meaningfully to the remaining issuance total in 2018. Although such issuances are not catalyzed by raised regional debt ceilings alone, improved oil prices are set to play a critical role in the demand and supply dynamic for Kuwait and the wider GCC, having a direct impact on multiple budgetary factors across the region, as well as driving positive investor sentiment.

In addition to Kuwait, Saudi Arabia may also consider returning to the market. The Kingdom already came to the market with a jumbo-sized transaction, as did Qatar. Fisch believes that the Saudi sovereign may opportunistically tap the markets again in the second half, while Qatar is less likely to return. On that basis, GCC sovereign issuance for the remainder of the year is likely to be dominated by Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and possibly the UAE.

GCC credit is less expensive

While the GCC region has, in the past, traded at a tighter credit spread relative to other emerging market peers, the sharp correction in oil prices in 2015 has reversed that relationship, with the GCC region trading with a higher risk premium versus the broader peer group. Fisch views current trading levels as attractive, particularly so given the recovery in energy prices.

Source: Fisch Asset Management

Good concluded:

“Looking at the emerging market asset class in the context of the broader markets, we believe that the asset class deserves a higher portfolio allocation than it currently enjoys. A combination of predominantly robust fundamentals, along with much more compelling valuation characteristics, mean that emerging markets will offer plenty of attractive opportunities as 2018 progresses. We expect each region in the emerging market space to offer a unique set of risks and opportunities. In many ways, it can be argued that the risk-reward dynamic is particularly compelling for the GCC region.”

-Ends-

About Fisch Asset Management

Fisch Asset Management is an asset manager specialising in select investment strategies. It offers convertible bonds, corporate bonds and multi asset/absolute return solutions. Its objective is to generate gains for long-term investors through active management. The company’s core strength lies in fundamental credit analysis, trend identification and its experienced portfolio managers. Founded in Zurich in 1994 by two brothers, Kurt Fisch and Dr Pius Fisch, the independent asset manager has made a name for itself as a global leader in convertible bonds. The company has 90 employees and manages assets of over USD 10.8 billion for institutional investors primarily based in Europe. For more information, please visit our website: www.fam.ch I LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fisch-asset-management/.

Media contact

Andrew Berridge

Tel: +971 55 246 8846

andrew.berridge@instinctif.com

Contact at Fisch Asset Management

Günther Zanussi

Corporate Communication

Phone +41 44 284 24 47

Guenther.Zanussi@fam.ch

© Press Release 2018

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