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The article reports on the implications of tighter regulations for the profitability of telecommunication operators in Taiwan. A report published by Taiwan Ratings argued that growth in data services revenue will not offset Taiwan telecommunication operators declining profitability due to tighter regulatory controls.The author explains the effect of regulations, such as the mandatory rate reductions on fixed-line, Internet, mobile calls and text messaging, on the EBITDA margins of operators.

The article focuses on the views of ratings agency Moody's on the liquidity and defaulting debt risk of China's property companies. In a report published on April 19, 2012, Moody's revealed that Chinese property companies are suffering from liquidity problems. Moody's also issued a poor outlook for Asian credits for 2012, citing further liquidity deterioration in Asia particularly in China.

The article reports that Australian regional bank Suncorp hired Deutsche Bank and Barclays to assist it in developing a covered bond programme. Covered bonds are essentially debt instruments that are supported by a ring fenced pool of assets. Suncorp will be the first regional Australian bank to enter the covered bond market. Standard & Poor's and Firtch rated Suncorp at A, which denotes that Suncorp has a greater chance of success in the covered bond market compared to its peer banks.

The article reports on the plan of BEA Union Investment to launch an Asian fixed income fund to take advantage of international investor demand for high yields and liquidity. Henry Wong, head of fixed income and co-manager of the fund, said that liquidity and credit quality are the key factors in his asset allocation decisions. The BEA Union Investment Asia Pacific Multi Income Fund is designed to lure an above average stream of income for investors.

The article focuses on the prediction of J. P. Morgan that Southeast Asia yields will increase in 2012 as exchange rate appreciation ends. J. P. Morgan says that Southeast Asian open bond markets will likely experience increased bond yields. An analysis of the performance of the bond markets in Asian countries is also presented, along with an outlook on the Asian fixed income market.

The article focuses on the claim of U.S. investment bank Morgan Stanley that the condition of the Asian bond market will worsen in 2012. Morgan Stanley predicts that the increase in Asian companies seeking to raise funding through the bond markets could negatively affect the bond market. The views of Viktor Hjort, head of Asia fixed income research at Morgan Stanley, on the supply and demand for corporate bond are highlighted.

The article focuses on the plans of Bank Muamalat Indonesia, food company Mayora Indah and toll road company CMNP to issue new sukuk bonds in 2012. The companies have not finalized dates for their bonds issuance, but they are likely to issue deals before the end of June. Their plans are aimed at taking advantage of the decreasing bond yields following higher than expected investor interest in the Indonesian government's Islamic debt auction on April 10, 2012.

The article reports that Thailand's economy remained strong despite high political risks. Political stability in Thailand has been deteriorating since 2000, along with its ranking for voice and accountability. However, ratings agency Moody's said that Thailand's investment climate remains highly competitive and its capital markets are strong.

The article focuses on a warning issued by Moody's that the subsidiaries of two Chinese banks based in Hong Kong could experience downgrades if they will continue their aggressive growth in mainland China. Moody's senior credit analyst Sonny Hsu said that the increasing mainland exposure of ICBC Asia, Hong Kong unit of ICBC, and China Merchants' subsidiary Wing Lung Bank could cause them lower ratings. Hsu also explained the credit risks associated with business expansion.

The article reports on actions taken by Japanese corporations to issue Malaysian ringgit bonds. In the first quarter of 2012, Malaysian ringgit-denominated corporate bond issuance tripled to a total value of 38.97 billion Malaysian ringgit. Japanese companies that have issued ringgit bonds include Orix Corp., Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing and Century Tokyo Leasing Corp.

The article highlights the insights of Coutts on investment opportunities in Hong Kong, China corporate bonds. Coutts said that Hong Kong utilities top-tier property names offer attractive investment opportunities, particularly in the gas, electricity and property industries. Coutts offered a bullish outlook for Hong Kong corporate despite slow exports and financial market forecasts.

The article announces the appointment of Rodney Ward as chairman of Asia Pacific global corporate and investment banking (GCIB) at Bank of America Merrill Lynch (BoA-Merrill).

The article reports on the 57 percent increase in the volume of debt capital market (DCM) deals issued on the Asia Pacific region, excluding Japan, in the first quarter of 2012. China led the Asia Pacific volume with 86.5 billion U.S. dollars issuance. Dealogic reported 16.8 billion U.S. dollar issuance, followed by China National Petroleum with 9.5 billion U.S. dollars. Asia accounted for14 percent of global issuance for the quarter.

The article reports on the performance of emerging market (EM) bonds in Asia in the first three months of 2012. The first three months of the year is said to record high performing risk assets , with EM bonds having an average positive return of 5.3 percent. An explanation on the disparity between high yield and investment grade in Asia is provided. The high yield debt market in Indonesia, and EM bonds in Singapore are also described.

The article discusses the findings of "Coalition Index Banks," a report on the ten largest investment banks from Coalition, London, England-based analysts. It has found that the fixed income businesses of investment banks were the worst global performers of 2011. Strong corporate bond issuance in emerging markets enabled the Asia-Pacific region to perform better than most. An overall decline in revenues of 25% was posted by banks during 2011.