To stay competitive, electronic gadgets in our day and age have to be multi-dimensional. It's not enough for a cell phone to merely make calls, it must also play music, send e-mails, take pictures and perform myriad other tasks. If it does only one thing, it will fail.
Similarly, since its inception in 2001, ASR has fashioned itself as a one-stop shop, the user-friendly gadget of choice for securitization buffs. Market chatter, scoops, incisive deal coverage, in-depth features, and comprehensive data - they've all been a part of the weekly bundle that is our publication.
Now, as the U.S. and European markets have matured, and newer countries hustle to catch up, ASR is leveraging the expertise of its reporters to present securitization events not only as they are, but also as we see them. Kicking off in our next issue will be two weekly columns on the U.S. market, and another column that will alternate weekly between Europe and Emerging Markets. Through these ABS pulpits, we aim to provoke and reflect the discussion of relevant issues across the country, and the globe.
In her column, New York-based ASR Managing Editor Donna Mitchell will look at how events in the asset-backed market shape issuance and trading. For instance, even as ongoing consolidation in the auto sector constrains market supply or weakness in subprime HEL ABS undermine investor confidence, buysiders still reward worthy issuances with hair-thin spreads. What does it mean for ABS issuance and pricing? Donna's column will discuss the trends, events and most importantly, mind-sets of ABS professionals that drive trading activity in the U.S. asset securitization market.
Writing from L.A., Senior Editor Allison Pyburn will examine the complex world of CDOs, providing color and a venue to incorporate various market views on sector trends and developments. The column will also focus on trends in collateral, including residential mortgages, that influence the sector. Allison's idea is to create a platform for an industry-wide conversation about CDOs, de-mystifying a sector that can often be opaque.
Meanwhile in London, European Senior Editor Nora Colomer will trace the threads that unite market participants across the European continent, while providing special commentary on the legislative and cultural differences that either facilitate or hinder the securitization of assets. Nora will also discuss issues face-to-face with various industry folks and fold these talks into her column.
And back in New York, Emerging Markets Senior Editor Felipe Ossa will highlight which players and asset classes are making news in LatAm and Emerging Europe and where the EM universe is living up to the hype and where it's falling short. While covering a jumble of markets, Felipe's column will locate those themes that will resonate with EM players not only in New York and London but in Mexico City, Sao Paulo, and Moscow.
So, ASR, that nifty gadget you get retrofitted every week, just got a little more useful, and, we hope, a little more fun.
Karen Sibayan,
Editor
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