Investor Resources
Chart of the Week – Russia’s “Triumphant Return”
- April 28, 2010
For the first time since it defaulted on its $40 billion domestic debt in 1998, Russia issued $5.5 billion worth of eurobonds last week. Investors embraced the five-year bond, purchasing $5.5 billion of Russian debt with The Wall Street Journal dubbing the offering Russia’s “triumphant return.”

Bloomberg published this interesting chart last week comparing Russia’s credit-default swaps to the PIIGS (Portugal, Italy, Ireland, Greece and Spain). A credit default swap is the cost of insuring debt against default. The riskier the debt, the higher premium the market requires to insure it.
Despite carrying a lower credit rating, this chart shows that investors are valuing Russia’s debt as less risky then these countries. While this reflects the well-publicized debt problems these countries are having, it also shows how far Russia has worked to rebuild its credit the past 12 years.
With foreign exchange reserves of $400 billion, Russia remains a net creditor to the world but the five-year bond issuance is part of a grander strategy. Russia is looking to establish a benchmark yield so its corporations have access to cheaper credit and stimulate business growth.
Is Russia becoming a bastion of safety in a turbulent world? Bond investors seem to think so.
Only one day left until tomorrow’s presentation “What’s Ahead in Emerging Europe?” Don’t forget to register for this free webcast.
Net Asset Value
as of 02/07/2012
- Global Resources Fund
PSPFX $10.20 -0.03 - Gold and Precious Metals Fund
USERX $13.94 -0.02 - World Precious Minerals Fund
UNWPX $14.84 +0.02 - China Region Fund
USCOX $7.65 -0.04 - Eastern European Fund
EUROX $9.19 +0.07 - Global Emerging Markets Fund
GEMFX $7.58 +0.01 - Global MegaTrends Fund
MEGAX $8.19 +0.01 - All American Equity Fund
GBTFX $24.22 +0.10 - Holmes Growth Fund
ACBGX $18.95 +0.07 - Tax Free Fund
USUTX $12.80 -0.01 - Near-Term Tax Free Fund
NEARX $2.28 No Change - U.S. Government Securities Savings Fund
UGSXX $1.00 No Change - U.S. Treasury Securities Cash Fund
USTXX $1.00 No Change



