Compilation of Frontier Market related articles across the web from 18th November 2019 to 24th November 2019. Last week’s edition can be found here.

Solactive Unveils “Belt And Road” Index

Index provider Solactive has unveiled the Solactive Belt and Road Index Concept, which has been designed to capture the benefits of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) by gaining exposure to those companies that are in an advantageous position to gain from their relatively large degree of revenue exposure to the BRI’s corridor economies. The largest constituents in the index are Philip Morris International (8.6%), AIA Group Limited (8.2%) and Saudi Basic Industries (5.3%).

 

IMF Blog: Frontier Market Borrowing Binge

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has produced a report that looks at the level of debt in Frontier Market economies. It looks at the increase in hard-currency bond sales (from issuers such as Angola, Belarus and Pakistan) which is poised to rise to $38 billion this year, close to the record set in 2017. Countries with high risk of distress should avoid borrowing from private lenders, according to the IMF, and they should focus on financing projects that will deliver high returns, as well as improving their ability to borrow from domestic lenders.

 

Political Risk Analysis: What’s Next For Argentina?

In this article, Forbes’ Latin America-focused political analyst Nathaniel Parish Flannery speaks to Jefferey Lamoureux, Head Americans Country Risk Analyst at Fitch Solutions, on what lies ahead for Argentina after the country voted in left-leaning Alberto Fernandez in October’s election to replace the business-friendly Mauricio Macri.

 

Saudi Aramco Markets IPO In Dubai After Approaching Kuwait Fund

Saudi Aramco met investors in Dubai in a bid to market its initial public offering (IPO) after trying to secure demand from Kuwait’s sovereign wealth fund for a deal worth up to $25 billion, primarily relying on local and regional buyers. The decision to participate in the in the deal hinges on a “study” of the IPO by the Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA), according to one local newspaper.

 

Acacia Mining Delisted From The Dar Es Salaam Stock Exchange

Tanzania’s Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange (DSE) has followed the London Stock Exchange’s (LSE) move to delist Acacia Mining Plc (ACA) from its bourse. ACA was officially delisted from the Primary Listing Exchange at the LSE on 18th Sepetember.

 

Romanian Auto Market Recorded Highest Growth In Europe In October

Year-on-year sales of new cars in Europe increased by 8.6% in October 2019 compared to October 2018, and Romania’s increase was the most significant after seeing the registration of new cars rising by 58.1% over the same time period, according to data from the Association of European Automobile Manufacturers (AEAM). 10,649 cars were registered in October 2019 in the country, compared to the 6,736 units in October last year, the largest increase in Europe.

 

Key Statistics of the Week

• Nigeria’s year-on-year inflation rate for October rose to 11.61% (vs 11.24% previous).
• Jamaica holds interest rates at 0.5%.
• Kazakhstan’s Q3 year-on-year GDP growth rate stood at 4.3% (vs 4.15% previous).
• November’s Consumer Confidence in Argentina fell to 41.4 (vs 43.8 previous).
• Argentina’s Balance of Trade slightly rose to $1768 million in October (vs $1744 million previous).