Arqaam Capital Ltd is closing its South African office as the Dubai-based investment bank joins other brokers paring back operations in the continent\u2019s financial-markets hub.<\/p>\n
The company, which has been in Johannesburg since 2014, told clients Monday it is ceasing research coverage in South Africa, according to a note seen by Bloomberg News. Arqaam employs about 17 people in the city, a person familiar with the matter said earlier.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe firm informed its employees yesterday that it has commenced a process which will lead to a cessation of all activities in its Johannesburg office,\u201d Arqaam said in a response to questions on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
\u201cAn orderly wind down of operations will then commence.\u201d<\/p>\n
Profit margins for equity-trading companies that offer research have been squeezed in South Africa and other markets by the cost of MIFid II regulations, as well as a shift toward passive investing and a fall in trading volumes.<\/p>\n
Arqaam\u2019s decision also comes amid an economy that is struggling to expand, with gross domestic product shrinking for a second quarter this year in the three months through September.<\/p>\n
The shutdown by Arqaam, which focuses on emerging markets, follows an announcement by Macquarie Group Ltd in October that it\u2019s closing its cash-equities business in South Africa.<\/p>\n
Deutsche Bank AG\u2019s South African unit has made significant job cuts, while Credit Suisse Group AG has also reduced its presence in the country. Citigroup Inc has been leaving some equity research posts vacant and moving other functions, Business Day newspaper reported last month.<\/p>\n
\u201cIts a tough environment,\u201d said Peter Koutromanos, chief executive officer of Johannesburg-based Avior Capital Markets Ltd. The reduction in research coverage \u201cis bad for transparency,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s bad for liquidity and price discovery.\u201d<\/p>\n
Arqaam said it will focus on markets where it has a stronger presence.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis decision enables the investment bank to deploy additional capital in its core markets of the Middle East and North Africa region,\u201d the bank said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt comes as part of an effort to sharpen its focus on where it has a competitive franchise and a growing market share.\u201d<\/p>\n