Asia's bonds face rising risks
Beijing: Emerging East Asia's local currency bonds have performed
well so far in 2014 but an earlier-than-anticipated US rate hike, a
slowing property market in thePeople's Republic of China (PRC), and
higher risk aversion and inflation due to Middle East tensions could
undermine that, said a new report from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
"Asia looks well placed to face any volatility but the risks
aredefinitely rising," said Head of ADB's Office of Regional Economic
Integration, Iwan J. Azis.
"Higher US interest rates and a stronger dollarcould also make it
tougher for the rising number of US dollar borrowers to service
debt."ADB's latest quarterly Asia Bond Monitor shows that as of the end
of June, there was US $7.9 trillion in outstanding bonds in emerging
East Asia, 2.5% more than at the end of March and 9.3% more than at the
end of June 2013.
Local currency bond issuance totaled $1.1 trillion in the second
quarter, up from $852 billion in the first quarter. Meanwhile, sales of
bonds denominated in US dollars, euros, or yen in January through July
was $121.4 billion, suggesting the region will set another record for
annual issuance.
Emerging East Asia comprises the PRC, Hong Kong - China, Indonesia,
the Republic of Korea; Malaysia; Philippines; Singapore; Thailand; and
Vietnam.
Vietnam was the fastest growing local currency bond market, on a
quarterly and an annual basis. However, the PRC remains the largest
market in Asia after Japan, with USD $4.9 trillion in outstanding bonds.
That marked a 3.4% on-quarter rise and a 10.8% annual rise, largely
dueto the increase in outstanding policy bank bonds and local corporate
bonds.
In the PRC, a slowing of the property market is a concern because
most collateralised borrowing is secured against property. A drop in
property-related revenue could make it more difficult for local
governments to service their bonds. Property companies have also become
increasingly prevalent bond issuers themselves.
In a special section, the report noted an increase in sales of
Chinese yuan-denominated bonds outside of the PRC as the country has
gradually liberalised use of its currency for trade and investment.
Since the first sale of so-called dim sum bonds in 2007, issuance
expanded toCNY10 billion in 2010 and CNY369 billion in 2013.
Although a greater variety of borrowers is tapping the dim sum bond
market, PRC and Hong Kong, China borrowers still made up 73% of issuance
last year. To develop the market further, greater participation from
non-PRC borrowers is needed. |