CORPORATE AND INSTITUTIONAL

There wasn’t a strong response to the news that peace talks between the US and North Korea have broken down.

Total NAB customer spending grew 6.8% y/y in Q1 2018, up from 5.0% in the previous quarter and 2.0% compared to the same quarter a year ago.

Italy’s new government, Turkey’s emergency rate hike, the failing China trade deal, the UK’s weakening inflation, slow growth in Europe, tensions over Iran – there’s a lot to be concerned about.

The launch of the green-loan principles (GLPs) presents an opportunity for another evolutionary step in sustainable funding. By standardising and codifying what qualifies as green bank lending, the GLPs could make sustainable finance relevant to a wider cohort of borrowers according to David Jenkins, director, sustainable capital markets at NAB.

It’s been a quiet session overnight. Oil rallied as supply fears rose on Trump’s sanctions imposed on the country this week, but it has since retreated.

The positive news regarding China has seen stocks rise in the US today but there has been little movement on Treasuries or the US dollar.

The change reflects the fact there’s no sign as yet of stronger wages growth and unemployment has been stuck at around 5.5% for the best part of a year. We still expect the economy to strengthen, leading to a declining unemployment rate.

First 25bp increase now expected mid-2019.

Steven Mnuchin says the trade war with China is on-hold, for now, after the agreement that will see China supposedly buying more from the US, but not the reported extra $200 billion worth.

President Trump has been making headlines with peace treaties and trade pacts, but what if they don’t happen? North Korea has threatened to pull out and now the President is saying the China talks may not be successful.

A new debt market is evolving that could help give mid-sized Australian companies that don’t have a credit rating more options to secure debt funding from investors.

NAB and Asiamoney’s latest poll on Asian and European investors’ appetite for Australian debt tells a story of consistency and stability as the region presents a safe option amid turbulence – while also offering sustainable opportunities.