Specialist in Indian Banking and Economic Research

Hemindra Hazari

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<p>Historically, India’s net oil subsidy was a myth after factoring taxes on petroleum products. But in the last two years, as oil prices declined internationally, the Government went further, and shifted to an oppressive regime of punitive oil taxes. <strong>In earlier years, economists linked to the capital market were vociferous in their condemnation of oil subsidies, and advocated ‘market pricing’ of this key resource, as subsidies, they argued, distorted the market. Even at that time, their argument ignored the glaring fact of taxes on petroleum products. However, it is even more remarkable that for the past two years the same economists populating policy-making, credit rating and capital markets appear to have lost their voices when the Indian government violated market prices in the <em>contrary</em> direction, sharply raising the rate of petroleum taxes.</strong> This was done despite the demand slowdown in the economy. Heavy petroleum taxes have no doubt helped to meet fiscal deficit commitments and satisfying global investors. But they have helped suppress an already faltering consumer demand.</p>

Historically, India’s net oil subsidy was a myth after factoring taxes on petroleum products. But in the last two years, as oil prices declined internationally, the Government went further, and shifted to an oppressive regime of punitive oil taxes. In earlier years, economists linked to the capital market were vociferous in their condemnation of oil subsidies, and advocated ‘market pricing’ of this key resource, as subsidies, they argued, distorted the market. Even at that time, their argument ignored the glaring fact of taxes on petroleum products. However, it is even more remarkable that for the past two years the same economists populating policy-making, credit rating and capital markets appear to have lost their voices when the Indian government violated market prices in the contrary direction, sharply raising the rate of petroleum taxes. This was done despite the demand slowdown in the economy. Heavy petroleum taxes have no doubt helped to meet fiscal deficit commitments and satisfying global investors. But they have helped suppress an already faltering consumer demand.

EM PM, Ecstrat

Emad Mostaque

EM PM

Ecstrat

Ecstrat is a consultancy advising on asset allocation between global equity markets, with a focus on the intersection of governments, geopolitics, governance and markets.
 
Over the past few years and more especially since the Great Financial Crisis (GFC), investors have become more focused on short-term market movements and real-time returns and have consequently neglected the analysis of the underlying structural themes that underpin longer term performance.
​
More specifically we believe that the evolution of governance-based relationships between investors, controlling shareholders, labour and the state is one of the primary determinants of both relative and absolute performance between individual equity markets.
 
We will endeavour to provide investors with some of the context surrounding governance-related issues which encompass many different disciplines including history, economics and political science, as well as the financial metrics which are the most obvious manifestation of the structural characteristics of each market.
 
We will pay particular attention to the shifts and potential inflection points for governance in individual markets as these are often the best lead indicators for both economic and market performance.

<div>Oil prices have had a jittery week after the shock of the US elections leading to a dollar resurgence and abject confusion over the impact on the potential impending OPEC deal. </div><div>Short positions have steadily been building under the assumption a deal likely won't be done, or if it is done then it won't be enforceable and not take enough barrels off the market. </div><div>This had sparked a predictable series of leaks and a flurry of diplomatic activity from oil ministers and the OPEC Secretary General to try…</div>

Oil prices have had a jittery week after the shock of the US elections leading to a dollar resurgence and abject confusion over the impact on the potential impending OPEC deal. Short positions have steadily been building under the assumption a deal likely won't be done, or if it is done then it won't be enforceable and not take enough barrels off the market. This had sparked a predictable series of leaks and a flurry of diplomatic activity from oil ministers and the OPEC Secretary General to try…

SGX Market Strategist, Equity & Fixed Income, Singapore Exchange Ltd (SGX)

Geoff Howie

SGX Market Strategist, Equity & Fixed Income

Asia’s leading multi-asset exchange

Singapore Exchange Ltd (SGX)

Singapore Exchange is Asia’s leading and trusted market infrastructure, facilitating the exchange of capital and ideas to create value for people, businesses and economies. As a multi-asset exchange operating equity, fixed income and derivatives markets to the highest regulatory standards, SGX is a vertically integrated business that provides listing, trading, clearing, settlement, depository and data services.

With about 40% of listed companies and over 80% of listed bonds originating outside of Singapore as well as established linkages across the region and in Europe, SGX is Asia’s most international and connected exchange. Offering a full suite of derivatives products across Asian equity indices, commodities and currencies, SGX is the world’s most liquid international market for the benchmark equity indices of China, India, Japan and ASEAN.

As Asia’s pioneering central counterparty, SGX is globally recognised for its risk management and clearing capabilities, and was one of the first globally to adopt the Principles for Financial Market Infrastructure.

Headquartered in AAA-rated Singapore, SGX has over 800 employees including offices in Beijing, Chicago, Hong Kong, London, New York, Mumbai, San Francisco, Shanghai and Tokyo.

<ul><li><strong>Singapore’s Energy Sector was the strongest of Singapore’s stock Sectors in October, with a 10.4% market capitalisation weighted total return on oil and coal price swings. This followed on from Energy also being the strongest of the Sectors back in September.</strong></li><li><strong>The 10 largest capitalised stocks of Singapore’s Energy Sector averaged a 12.5% total return in October, consisting of seven advancing stocks and three declining stocks. CAO, the largest capitalised stock of Singapore’s Energy Sector is scheduled to report 3Q16 results Wednesday.</strong></li><li><strong>Two of the 10 largest capitalised Energy stocks, Geo Energy Resources and KrisEnergy also ranked amongst the 10 actively traded stocks that saw the biggest increase in their October traded volume, compared to respective three month average volumes. Geo Energy Resources was the fifth biggest volume leader while KrisEnergy was the sixth biggest volume leader.</strong></li></ul>

Singapore’s Energy Sector was the strongest of Singapore’s stock Sectors in October, with a 10.4% market capitalisation weighted total return on oil and coal price swings. This followed on from Energy also being the strongest of the Sectors back in September.The 10 largest capitalised stocks of Singapore’s Energy Sector averaged a 12.5% total return in October, consisting of seven advancing stocks and three declining stocks. CAO, the largest capitalised stock of Singapore’s Energy Sector is scheduled to report 3Q16 results Wednesday.Two of the 10 largest capitalised Energy stocks, Geo Energy Resources and KrisEnergy also ranked amongst the 10 actively traded stocks that saw the biggest increase in their October traded volume, compared to respective three month average volumes. Geo Energy Resources was the fifth biggest volume leader while KrisEnergy was the sixth biggest volume leader.

Energy the Strongest Sector in October on Oil & Coal Price Swings

<p>This weekend saw the retirement of long-serving Saudi oil minister Ali al-Naimi and his replacement by the Chairman of Aramco, Khalid al-Falih.</p><p>At 80 years of age, the retirement of al-Naimi had been on the cards for a number of years, with some indications that it had been scheduled to occur five years ago, but was postponed given the need for stability as the Arab Spring erupted in the region.</p><p>Now that he has moved on to a position as advisor to the Royal Court, whether Saudi oil policy will…</p>

This weekend saw the retirement of long-serving Saudi oil minister Ali al-Naimi and his replacement by the Chairman of Aramco, Khalid al-Falih.At 80 years of age, the retirement of al-Naimi had been on the cards for a number of years, with some indications that it had been scheduled to occur five years ago, but was postponed given the need for stability as the Arab Spring erupted in the region.Now that he has moved on to a position as advisor to the Royal Court, whether Saudi oil policy will…

New Saudi Oil Minister, Old Saudi Oil Policy

<p>It has been an interesting few weeks for observers of Saudi Arabia as Doha oil freeze talks failed, concerns re-emerged over the stability of the Saudi-US relationship and months of press coverage culminated in the announcement of Saudi Vision 2030 today.</p><p>This note analyses some of the drivers of the changes we have seen in Saudi policy and the likely impact of these going forward on local markets and the oil price.</p><p>The upshot is that I am, just as was the case in 2015, once more bearish on oil and oil-related equities into summer, although I retain my bullish view longer term.</p><p>This should also prevent significant appreciation in Middle East markets short-term, although it is likely to be an interesting few years ahead as reforms, many of which necessitate increased economic and market liberalization and sharp increases in FDI, start to come in force.</p><p> </p>

It has been an interesting few weeks for observers of Saudi Arabia as Doha oil freeze talks failed, concerns re-emerged over the stability of the Saudi-US relationship and months of press coverage culminated in the announcement of Saudi Vision 2030 today.This note analyses some of the drivers of the changes we have seen in Saudi policy and the likely impact of these going forward on local markets and the oil price.The upshot is that I am, just as was the case in 2015, once more bearish on oil and oil-related equities into summer, although I retain my bullish view longer term.This should also prevent significant appreciation in Middle East markets short-term, although it is likely to be an interesting few years ahead as reforms, many of which necessitate increased economic and market liberalization and sharp increases in FDI, start to come in force. 

India

Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited refines crude oil and manufactures petroleum and petroleum products. The Company's products, which are sold via outlets throughout India, include lube products, lubricating oil, aviation fuel, hydraulic brake fluid, greases, liquefied petroleum gas and insecticides. The Government of India is the majority shareholder in the company.

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Hindustan Petroleum (HPCL IN)

Oil Cess - Squeezing the Economy

Historically, India’s net oil subsidy was a myth after factoring taxes on petroleum products. But in the last two years, as oil prices declined...

Hemindra Hazari

Playing the OPEC Deal

Oil prices have had a jittery week after the shock of the US elections leading to a dollar resurgence and abject confusion over the impact on the...

Emad Mostaque

Energy the Strongest Sector in October on Oil & Coal Price Swings

Singapore’s Energy Sector was the strongest of Singapore’s stock Sectors in October, with a 10.4% market capitalisation weighted total return on...

Singapore Exchange Ltd (SGX)

New Saudi Oil Minister, Old Saudi Oil Policy

This weekend saw the retirement of long-serving Saudi oil minister Ali al-Naimi and his replacement by the Chairman of Aramco, Khalid al-Falih.At...

Emad Mostaque

Saudi: A New Hope?

It has been an interesting few weeks for observers of Saudi Arabia as Doha oil freeze talks failed, concerns re-emerged over the stability of the...

Emad Mostaque

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