The Markets

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) — Cash is king may well be the mantra for emerging markets this year. With the relentless increase in Treasury yields pushing up global borrowing costs, developing-nation bond investors are scrutinizing the cash reserves of governments as they look to pick future winners. Russia, South Africa, and Indonesia may be among the best performers as they have each built up a sizable backstop. “It all boils down to flexibility and…

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – Overall sentiment on African equity markets was bearish. Among the markets we cover, 10 of them retreated this week – some of them, severely – while 6 advanced and one remained flat. Kenya led the pack as equities in Nairobi jumped 3% and are up 9.75% so far this year. Conversely, Namibian equities lost 6.69% over the 5-day period but remain up 8.25% YTD. West Africa BRVM – Bulls set the tempo on…

LONDON (Capital Markets in Africa) – Equity markets slipped back a little last week following their recovery over the previous two weeks. But it is government bonds, rather than equities, which remain the real focus of attention at the moment. If there is one variable market strategists are obsessing over at the moment, it is the 10-year US Treasury yield. It rose further last week to 1.73% and is now up as much as 0.82%…

CAIRO (Capital Markets in Africa) — Spiking U.S. Treasury yields and a rise in global commodity prices mean Egypt is likely to leave the world’s highest real interest rate unchanged on Thursday. With investors fleeing riskier assets, Egypt’s focus will likely be on retaining the competitive edge that’s driven foreign investment in its debt to a record high. All 12 economists surveyed by Bloomberg predict the central bank’s Monetary Policy Committee will hold its benchmark deposit rate…