Derivs - People and Markets

Wild swings in the euro/dollar basis swap, and an unreliable interest rate swap complicated bond execution in the SSA market this week. While some liquidity has returned in rates, cross currency swaps are still behaving very strangely.

Prominent short sellers have criticised European financial regulators’ clampdown on short selling as being counterproductive. Meanwhile, US hedge fund Bridgewater Associates has been unwinding its multibillion short positions in European stocks, after price falls across indices on the continent in recent days.

The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission gave market participants adapting to working from home some relief late on Tuesday, with sweeping no-action relief on voice recording requirements. The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority hasn’t gone so far, but has offered firms some flexibility.

As the coronavirus pandemic threatens every facet of capital markets activity, trading floors and back offices have emptied in recent days, leading to questions about how efficiently business can be done from home and alternative sites, write Paola Aurisicchio, Jasper Cox, Jennifer Kang and Ross Lancaster.

Financial market participants were left wondering this week if what felt to many like a very vivid stress test had become a complete meltdown, as searing volatility puts all players into crisis preparation mode, write Ross Lancaster, Jon Hay, Max Adams and David Rothnie. Strains are appearing in places where they were not expected, such as the US Treasury market. But markets are continuing to function and some traders have enjoyed exceptional volume.

Investment banks are said to be freezing hiring plans in capital markets, as the impact of the coronavirus epidemic slashes new issuance volumes and expectations for the year ahead. Some institutions are also said to be using the virus as an excuse to push through planned cuts to banking businesses.

Financial industry lobbyists have told the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) that its proposed revisions to swap dealers’ and major swap participants’ capital requirements will have “a significant negative impact on the US swaps market”.

HSBC is moving its securities services business into global markets to create a new unit. Allegra Berman and Richard Godfrey, co-heads of securities services, will gain new responsibilities as part of the change.

Roland Domann has moved to MUFG to be part of its European sales and distribution team, just months after being hired by Nomura.

As clear daylight emerges between jurisdictions making their transitions away from Ibor benchmarks, the cross-currency basis swap market could become a headache.

ICAP is expanding its presence in the special situations market. On Thursday, the interdealer broker said it will open a European desk for the equities sub-division.

Eurex Clearing has hired Nick Barnes from MarketAxess to expand its buy-side presence.