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Brokerage Challenges…Regional Expertise. Sixth Annual Palestine Capital Markets Forum Palestine – December 11, 2012. Waleed Al-Nassan. Setting The Stage 2003 - 2007. Global The world is coming out of the tech bubble. Strong global economic growth.
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Brokerage Challenges…Regional Expertise Sixth Annual Palestine Capital Markets Forum Palestine – December 11, 2012 Waleed Al-Nassan
Setting The Stage2003 - 2007 Global • The world is coming out of the tech bubble. • Strong global economic growth. • Strongly developing real estate finance sector / Investment Banking Boom. Regional • Continued strive for openness and deregulation. • Increased levels of FDI across all Arab countries. • American invasion of Iraq, (special impact on Levant region). • Increased commodity prices, (especially oil towards the end for the period).
2007 - 2010 Global • Beginnings of the meltdown of the US subprime mortgage market. • Unfolding of the global financial crisis. • Unprecedented declines in asset prices across all classes. • Compete freeze in the global financial system. Regional • Economies started to slow (especially non-hydrocarbon related ones). • Lower levels of FDI into the region. • Foreign portfolio investments pressured to leave the region. • Real estate investment across the region starts to decelerate. • Stock market valuations and volumes of trading reached very low levels.
2010- 2012 • Global economies are trying to deal with the ramifications of the global financial crisis. • The US has its unemployment and the fiscal cliff to worry about. • In Europe stronger European economies are being dragged by the ailing peripheral economies (Greece, Portugal and Spain). • The two fastest growing economies (India and China) are facing major challenges in keeping their economies growing at the time when their major clients economies are not. • In the MENA region, the Arab Spring started and 2011 & 2012 have been amongst the most difficult years for the Arab capital markets. (Markets were affected in varying degrees)
2010- 2012 • Large scale withdrawal of investors (institutional and retail) from the markets. • Trading volumes, valuations and number of transaction have been on the decline.
MENA Capital Markets Indicators 1,200 1,000 USD Billions
MENA Capital Markets Indicators USD Millions
Brokerage Challenges • Almost all brokerage companies within the region have suffered form the recent developments in the markets. • All brokers witnessed marked declines to their volumes of trading, income, money under management and above all client confidence and trust. • Though, some companies were affected more than others. Challenges could be grouped under the following headings:
Brokerage Challenges • Low volumes of Trading • Strong competition • Pressure on fees • Potential for violating market rules by offering rebates • Fragmentation of the market • Too many players • Lack of incentives/willingness to consolidate • Reasonably high infrastructure/ fixed cost • Minim human resources • Minimum technology infrastructure
Brokerage Challenges • Increasing Regulatory Challenges • Minimum capital requirements • New rules and requirements • Increased burden on surveillance and control • Tighter risk management rules • Imperfect Market Structure • High percentage of retail clients • Low level of participation of intuitional clients • Weak role of local investment funds industry • The virtually inexistence of long-term private saving and retirement plans/funds
The Way Forward Given all the challenges said, Brokerage Companies have to decide on their course of action. • It seems that brokerage companies have to choose one of two options: stick to their business or leave • They need to tackle a number of fundamental issues:
The Way Forward • Where is my customer base? • Customer segmentation • Focus on core groups • Look for untapped segments • Proper targeting and offer access to new investment opportunities • Improving back office and trading platforms • Offer research or access to research • Adopt a proactive strategy • Make use of cross selling (in case of strategic partnerships)
The Way Forward • Regional and Global Exposure: • Develop networking relationships and partnerships with regional and global brokers • Offer professional market inelegance and market access • Proper positioning of your capital market in the relevant segment (frontier markets) • Continuous access to company managements within you market • Continuous follow up and update for clients with local developments Source: Regional markets Challenges & Opportunities, Forum Finance, Bain & Company
Should we be Optimistic?The answer is: yes Source: KIPCO, company presentation.