Financial markets insights
Turning expertise to actionable insights. Explore our views on what to watch out for in today’s financial markets.
Featured insights
Case studies
Case Study: Refinancing BlackRock’s diversified solar portfolio in the Taiwan market
Learn how we helped with the first green loan arranged by BlackRock Real Assets in Asia Pacific.
Case study: EUR1.24 billion ECA-backed financing to develop high-speed railway infrastructure in Turkey (Türkiye)
Learn how we helped Türkiye’s Ministry of Treasury and Finance with its first green ECA supported financing for economic growth.
Case study: Investing in supranational bonds in local EM currencies
In the wake of Covid-19, supranationals such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have stepped up their lending and support in developing member countries and this is made possible by bond issuance, including that denominated in Emerging Market currencies. Investors in these bonds can play a critical role in steering capital to where it is urgently needed.
Case study: Project financing for Vietnam’s largest solar plant through USD186 million ADB loan structure
Find out how Standard Chartered financed the country’s largest renewable energy project by offering debt structuring expertise and long-term interest rate hedging.
Case study: USD 1.1bn financing project to develop and improve water infrastructure in Angola
Learn how we helped Angola’s Ministry of Finance fund a transformational development project that brought together multiple stakeholders.
Case study: Sustainability-linked loan to CSSC (Hong Kong) Shipping Company Limited
Find out how CSSC Shipping and Standard Chartered worked together on a 10 year-sustainability-linked loan that will specifically support CSSC’s decarbonisation efforts, as well as its strategic goals around sustainability.
Case study: ESG-linked derivative for commodity trader, Trafigura
Find out how Standard Chartered executed an ESG-linked derivative that brings together conventional risk management with sustainable linked KPIs across the supply chain.
EUR 159 million ECA-backed financing to improve critical healthcare infrastructure in Côte d’Ivoire
Standard Chartered has provided EUR 159 million financing to the government of Côte d'Ivoire for the refurbishment of maternity wards in 62 hospitals across the country.
Credit markets
Financing a giga-green future
To accelerate decarbonisation, the development of giga green technology must also pick up pace.
Driving economic diversification in the GCC with sustainable infrastructure and a digital future
Learn more about the key diversification strategies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) economies that are positioning them for a resilient and sustainable future.
Beyond the watershed: three trends bracing global credit markets
Against the dramatic backdrop of the war in Ukraine and the gloomy prospect of stagflation, credit markets keep delivering growth and prosperity.
Underwriting decarbonisation: Financing key to steer shipping towards a green future
Learn the different ways in which financing can enable shipping decarbonisation.
Charting the course for energy transition in Asia
Learn how energy transition is key for the shipping industry in Asia to turn the corner on its decarbonisation agenda.
From leadership to collaboration; shipping’s decarbonisation agenda picks up pace
Find out how tanker owner, AET is leveraging leadership and collaboration to drive its net zero goals.
The role of the energy sector in shipping’s transition to net zero
Find out how energy major, Shell is fuelling shipping's transition to net zero.
Podcast: Executive spotlight: leading towards net zero
A passion for purpose. Listen to the inspiring stories of Henrik Raber and Eila Kreivi as they share their personal journeys into Financial Markets and how they combine industry experience with a deep desire to make a positive impact. What are their challenges, what have they learned and what is their advice for those entering the industry today?
Podcast: Unlocking capital for sustainable infrastructure development in Asia
To close the sustainable development gap in Asia, public and private infrastructure project owners have to tap into new sources of funding. What are these sources, how are they mobilising capital towards developing Asia, and how are they navigating the region’s investment landscape? Learn more in this podcast.
Channelling capital to where it's needed most
In 2021, credit markets have been a force for good. Our year-end edition has several instances of how we partnered together with clients to finance critical sustainable development, navigate the transition to net zero and drive positive change across Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
Read the newsletterChannelling capital to where it's needed most
In 2021, credit markets have been a force for good. Our year-end edition has several instances of how we partnered together with clients to finance critical sustainable development, navigate the transition to net zero and drive positive change across Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
Shipping finance
2021 has been one of the most exceptional years that the maritime industry has experienced. Find out how finance and investment are helping.
Read the newsletterShipping finance
2021 has been one of the most exceptional years that the maritime industry has experienced. Find out how finance and investment are helping.
Financing net zero goals
Find out more about the pivotal role credit markets are playing in the transition to net zero, and how we are supporting our issuer and investor clients to capture opportunities, while also making a difference.
Read the newsletterFinancing net zero goals
Find out more about the pivotal role credit markets are playing in the transition to net zero, and how we are supporting our issuer and investor clients to capture opportunities, while also making a difference.
Opportunities from disruption
Our inaugural Credit Markets edition of Bankable Insights explores what funding options are available for corporates, financial institutions and sovereigns to raise the capital they need, and how investors can turn their capital into 'a force for good' in today’s rapidly transforming credit landscape.
Read the newsletterOpportunities from disruption
Our inaugural Credit Markets edition of Bankable Insights explores what funding options are available for corporates, financial institutions and sovereigns to raise the capital they need, and how investors can turn their capital into 'a force for good' in today’s rapidly transforming credit landscape.
Market outlooks and insights
Outlook for Fed rate hike and impact on EM assets
All eyes are on the Fed’s next rate hike. But how high must interest rates be to reduce inflation without slowing growth? Global Head of Research, Eric Robertsen shares an outlook on EM inflation and growth, and impact on EM assets.
Explore our video insight series
Outlook for Fed rate hike and impact on EM assets
All eyes are on the Fed’s next rate hike. But how high must interest rates be to reduce inflation without slowing growth? Global Head of Research, Eric Robertsen shares an outlook on EM inflation and growth, and impact on EM assets.
Global Q2-22 outlook – recovery, disrupted
If 2021's expectations were influenced by a new world attitude due to the pandemic, then 2022 may end up being about a new world order. The conflict between Ukraine and Russia and the longevity of China's zero COVID plans. Volatility, interest rates and prices are all on the up. Find out what this means for the markets in this podcast.
To have and have not: Ukraine and COVID divide emerging markets
Global crises are dividing frontier and emerging markets into "Haves" that can take advantage of the volatility, and "Have Nots" that are only damaged by it.
The hotspots within the sustainable debt space
Green, social, sustainable and sustainability-linked (GSSS) bonds are attracting lots of interest – particularly the final “S”.
The outlook for 2022: Headwinds blowing differently for DMs and EMs
New and pre-existing factors to shape global economic recovery.
Podcast: Global 2022 Outlook - Still battling headwinds
What’s in store for the global economy over the next 12 months? Eric Robertsen, Razia Khan and Edward Lee share insights on the inflation story and growth opportunities in 2022.
Podcast: 2022 Financial Market Surprises Podcast
What are the potential black swans of 2022? Eric Robertsen shares views on possible scenarios that the financial market may have missed.
The Known Unknowns: How the world’s snapback from COVID-19 will bring unintended consequences
What are the second order consequences of the global pandemic and recent events in the years to follow and how can corporates and political leaders navigate the changes that occur.
An uneven road to recovery in H2
The optimism around a post-pandemic recovery seen earlier in the year has dimmed somewhat, as the Delta variant of COVID-19 surges across the globe. Clouds of uncertainty have gathered, but plenty of positives remain.
Assessing US exceptionalism and the economic recovery in Q2
US economic data strongly confirms that the US economy is firmly on a recovery track. But are other economies also picking up?
Macro trading and investment
Why investors are heading towards Africa’s emerging and frontier markets
Uncovering Africa’s new investment opportunities.
Mastering the art of differentiation: sifting out the gems in emerging market investments in 2022
Differentiation, knowing where to look and constructing resilient portfolios will be the key to successful EM investing in 2022.
How investors should view opportunities in China in 2022
As China moves towards ‘Common Prosperity’, how should international investors position themselves?
Financing and securities services
The re-shaping of Africa’s capital markets
Although African markets do present challenges for global investors, local FMIs (financial market infrastructures) are taking a pragmatic approach towards digitalisation, regionalisation and post-trade reform.
A storm with many fronts: Africa’s COVID recovery faces debt risks
Economies in Sub-Saharan Africa are recovering from COVID but debt, inflation and rising interest rates pose new problems.
Meaningful data products: Custodians enhance their solutions
In this article we outline some of the data solutions which custodians are developing together with how clients are benefiting from them in areas such as settlement efficiency, market access and ESG investing.
Why financial inclusion needs commitment across the capital markets value chain
Financial inclusion plays a critical role in supporting sustainable and resilient capital market environments, particularly in emerging markets. How are infrastructure providers creating more inclusive capital markets?
ESG in Emerging Markets shifts into top gear
Find out how ESG investment in Asia and the Middle East is gaining momentum as investors look to companies globally to tackle climate change and become more transparent about ESG.
GCC: Investor appetite growing but risks persist
Find out why investors are scouring emerging economies – especially those in the Middle East – for alpha.
Shared values for share values: The overlaps between Islamic and ESG investing
Strategic alignment between ESG and Islamic investing has the potential to unlock new long-term investment trajectories and trends
The future of custody: How data and technology are transforming conversations
Custodian banks are becoming less like service providers to their customers, and more like strategic partners. While the human element remains key, the topic of conversation is turning to the digital revolution.
Collaborate to regulate
How targeted engagement helps investors access emerging markets.
Sibos 2021: ‘Ask Me Anything’ about the convergence of Islamic financing and ESG
Shikkoh Malik, Head of Group Fiduciary & Fund Services and Global Islamic Champion shares insights on the opportunities for Islamic finance to drive sustainable investment.
Watch the videoSibos 2021: ‘Ask Me Anything’ about the convergence of Islamic financing and ESG
Shikkoh Malik, Head of Group Fiduciary & Fund Services and Global Islamic Champion shares insights on the opportunities for Islamic finance to drive sustainable investment.
Emerging markets, hidden gems
Our second edition of The Custodian for 2022 shares insights on the latest challenges and opportunities in the custody and securities services industry. Find out where the hidden gems are in Emerging Markets today.
Read the newsletterEmerging markets, hidden gems
Our second edition of The Custodian for 2022 shares insights on the latest challenges and opportunities in the custody and securities services industry. Find out where the hidden gems are in Emerging Markets today.
The future of custody is collaboration
Our first edition of The Custodian for 2022 shares insights on how collaboration is more than just product innovation and official partnerships and its potential benefits – not just for investors, intermediaries, and issuers but for communities and our environment too.
Read the newsletterThe future of custody is collaboration
Our first edition of The Custodian for 2022 shares insights on how collaboration is more than just product innovation and official partnerships and its potential benefits – not just for investors, intermediaries, and issuers but for communities and our environment too.
Learn more about financial markets at Standard Chartered
Uncovering a world of unchartered opportunities
Access and thrive in high-barrier markets with us. We provide on-the-ground research into Asia, Africa and the Middle East, and proprietary pricing and trade execution across multiple asset classes – including FX, rates, and commodities.
And for more complex packaging needs, we offer bespoke structuring solutions. For financing needs, we offer a full spectrum across our dynamic footprint – from traditional credit and debt market products, to specialised financing and beyond. And with custody, clearing and securities lending also available, we can support all your financial market needs.
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