Americas

The Covid-19 pandemic caused severe disruption to financial markets in 2020-2021. During this difficult time, the Bank of Canada and the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions took a number of actions to build resilience and improve the stability of the Canadian financial system. Federally regulated financial institutions were, among other things, permitted the privilege to pledge covered bonds with the central bank, which provided access to long-term repos and benefited from preferential regulatory treatment of loans subject to payment deferrals.

Colombian lender Banco Davivienda and Central American renewable energy company CMI Energía both priced new issues inside the ranges indicated at guidance on Thursday, as Latin American bond markets took advantage of a strong bid for US Treasuries.

Peruvian bonds barely moved this week after a shock in the first round of the country’s presidential elections on April 11, while Ecuador debt reacted spectacularly to a positive electoral surprise on the same day. Yet there are concerns about complacency towards risks in Peru, where a left-wing radical took most first-round votes, and Latin American bond buyers should brace for more volatility as the region faces an exceptionally busy election cycle.

Public Storage wrapped up a quickfire acquisition financing in the US bond market this week, after supply slowed to a trickle as huge swathes of corporate America entered earnings blackouts.

More than 90% of Suriname’s bondholders this week participated in a consent solicitation that extends the sovereign’s debt standstill until the end of July. But the government has only until April 30 to sign a deal with the IMF, or the standstill will be cancelled.

US investment banks have set a high bar for their European rivals by posting record revenues powered by a boom in capital markets underwriting.

The relentless flow of special purpose acquisition companies coming to the market is causing unease among investors about market saturation, with $140bn raised so far this year. Only the highest quality sponsors are likely to succeed in bringing new Spacs to IPO from now on, writes Aidan Gregory.

GlobalCapital is conducting its annual poll to determine its Bond Awards 2021. The voting deadline has been extended until April 22, so we invite readers who have not voted yet to do so in the coming week.

Andean Telecom Partners (ATP), a digital infrastructure provider operating in the Andean region of South America, has begun investor calls ahead of what would be its inaugural bond issue.

Latin American oil and gas company GeoPark will hold investor calls until Monday next week as it prepares to reopen a 2027 bond sold last year in order to partially finance a tender offer for up to $255m of its of $425m of 6.5% 2024s.

Southeast Asian tech company Grab, which offers everything from ride hailing and food delivery services to digital wallet payments, is planning to go public on the Nasdaq by merging with Altimeter Group Corp, a special purpose acquisition company (Spac).

Colombian bank GNB Sudameris sold a Basel III-compliant subordinated tier two bond on Tuesday after two failed attempts in 2020. The issuer, which also has operations in Peru and Paraguay, printed $400m of 10-year non-call five paper but only after having rejigged its bank group after last year’s cancellations.