Emerging Markets Newsletter

Semester 2 Week 3

Hey Legend!

Happy Monday and welcome to Week 3! 🥳

We hope the semester’s treating you well so far 💚

This Thursday, we’re taking over The Clyde for a night of free drinks 🍻, free food 🍟, and a few free LinkedIn connections 🤝. The perfect midweek reset, relax, mingle, and grow your network. 🥳

We’re also on the hunt for our 2025 Subcommittee 🪖. Whether your strengths are in operations ⚙️, marketing 📷, sponsorships 💼, or research 🔎, it’s a chance to shape EMN’s future while building skills and connections that last.

Remember: lecture recordings are forever, but free drinks aren’t 💁‍♂️. See you Thursday!

Updates

EMN Pub Night

Join us for a spectacular evening of drinks, bites and good vibes!

• 📍 The Clyde Hotel, Beer Garden, 385 Cardigan St, Carlton VIC 3053

• 📅 Thursday 14th August

• 🕑 6pm to 9pm

• ✨ FREE RSVP HERE

EMN Subcommittee Recruitment

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, don’t procrastinate, apply ASAP!

• 📅 Applications close: Sunday 24th August

• ☎️ Phone interviews: Sunday 10th August onwards

• ☕ Coffee Chats: Sunday 17th August onwards

• ✨ APPLY HERE

President’s Selection

A Message from Prepped Talent

Gain industry expertise and practical skills in Mergers & Acquisitions with Prepped Talent. Stand out in the competitive application process for Investment Banking, Private Equity and Corporate Development with our end-to-end course on M&A— from investment strategy right through to the signing of the share purchase agreement.

From there, we provide exclusive networking opportunities, practical workshops with industry professionals, direct employer introductions, and 1:1 internship and job search coaching—supporting you until you land the role you want.

See how Prepped Talent can help you start a coveted career in High Finance through our comprehensive Break into Mergers & Acquisitions Program.

EMN members receive a 20% discount using code: EMN20

The Numbers

Markets rose across most asset classes this week, led by Bitcoin and emerging markets. Crude oil was the only major laggard, falling sharply, whereas gold continues its rally.

The Roundup

India faces economic, defence, and climate challenges as tariffs bite, a major IPO looms, and deadly floods strike.

India

Rupee drops amid US-India tariff tensions; Sify plans $500M IPO in booming data centres. India pauses US defence deals, considers cutting Russian oil imports. Deadly Uttarakhand flood kills 4, 50+ missing; rescue underway.

• The Indian rupee ended lower for a fifth straight week, its biggest consecutive weekly drop in six months 📆📉, as trade tensions between India and the United States escalated following President Donald Trump's call for new tariffs on Indian goods 📦⚖️. The rupee closed marginally higher at 87.6550 against the U.S. dollar 💵, from 87.7025 on Thursday 📅💱.

• Sify Infinit Spaces plans a US $500M (~₹4,300 crore) IPO valuing it at about US $3B 💰📊.The offer will include new and existing shares, with Kotak, Morgan Stanley, JPMorgan, Citic, and JM Financial as bookrunners 🏦📝. Sify runs 14 data centres (188 MW) and is growing fast amid a projected 77% rise in India’s capacity in four years 💡⚡.

• India has reportedly paused talks to buy Stryker combat vehicles, Javelin missiles, and Boeing planes amid a U.S. tariff dispute 🛑✈️. Delhi seeks clarity on tariffs and is open to cutting Russian oil imports as part of a settlement 🛢️⚖️. State refiners have already stopped Russian purchases, and Reliance may shift back to Middle East oil ⛽➡️.

• A flash flood in Dharali village, Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand killed at least four people and left over 50 missing 🏞️⚠️. Mud and debris buried homes, markets, and roads under layers up to 25 feet deep 🏚️🪨. Rescue teams have evacuated over 600 people despite harsh conditions 🚁🐕. Officials sanctioned ₹20 crore for relief as experts warn of rising climate-driven disaster risks.

China

This week, we explore China’s record breaking M&A deal in shipbuilding, the PBoC’s continued buying gold streak and increasing worries over the Chikengunya virus. In other news, image leaks spark a new wave of speculation over China’s new 6th-gen stealth fighter jet program.

• The People’s Bank of China goes for Gold! The PBoC added $1.06bn worth of gold in July, marking a 9 month buying streak since purchases resumed last November — pushing China’s gold reserves to $243.99bn 🥇🏦. The move comes as the PBoC looks towards traditionally less risky assets ⚖️🛡️ in the face of high levels of economic and political uncertainty 🌍⚠️.

• Concerns mount in China as the country experiences its largest Chikungunya virus outbreak in history, with 8000 new cases already being reported since mid-June. In response, local governments have aggressively combated ⚔️ the mosquito-borne disease 🦠🦟 by spraying public areas with insecticides, conducting door-to-door checks, and mandating hospitalisations for new cases 🏥.

• Leaked photos show China’s new mysterious stealth fighter for the first time, with many analysts speculating it to be China’s new tailless 6th-gen stealth fighter model 🛩️🥷. The sudden reveal highlights China’s commitments towards military modernisation and ambitions in becoming a global leader 🌏🏆 in military research and development 🔬🚀.

• China’s Shanghai Stock Exchange greenlights merger between China Shipbuilding Industry Company and China CSSC Holdings, creating what would be the world’s largest shipping company 💼⚓. The deal valued at $16bn would see the combined company hold $56bn worth of assets and core business divisions in military equipment 🪖, commercial vessels 🛳️ and marine engineering 🛠️ consolidated.

Africa

Africa’s second week of August sees a mix of digital innovation, trade pressure, and ongoing security risks. East Africa’s growth stays strong, while exporters in West and Southern Africa face tougher markets. New tariff regimes and customs reforms are reshaping trade routes.

• Ethiopia is set for 7.2% growth 🚀, and Kenya’s services and farming keep it ahead of the continental average 🌾. Oil-dependent Nigeria and Angola face weaker forecasts due to global price swings 🌍📉. Inflation is easing, but governments still seek external financing 💵.

• Morocco’s stock exchange launched blockchain trading 💻📊, and Kenya opened share trading to more retail investors 📈. Digital lending is expanding across the continent, while Egypt and Senegal sold large local bonds. Nigeria’s bond yields rose as its currency slid 📉.

• The African Union began a mission to South Sudan to prevent renewed conflict 🛡️. Violence and rights restrictions in the Sahel worsened💥. South Africa readies a National Dialogue to address policy rifts and trade tensions 🗣️.

• South Africa signed fast-track customs deals with the US, UK, and India 🤝, speeding up nearly half its exports. This comes as a new 30% US tariff adds pressure 💸, with businesses hoping the agreements soften the blow.

See you all next week!

We hope you enjoyed reading our newsletter! There are plenty of facts for you to drop in your next conversation to sound more intelligent. Make sure to share this artistic marvel with a friend!

Good luck for your studies, we know you smart cookies will smash it.

If you have any inquiries please email [email protected]

We look forward to seeing you at our next event!

Best regards,

The EMN Team 💚