Americas

The shrinking of balance sheets has become a common theme in recent years, particularly in the financial sector. Investors are punishing banks that are either unwilling or unable to implement a more conservative financial strategy.

US biotechnology company Amgen made its dash into primary corporate bond markets on Thursday with a dual tranche deal that took €2bn out of the market.

A strong performance in Brazil’s bond curve on Wednesday underlined how unsurprised bond investors were to see Latin America’s largest sovereign receive yet another rating downgrade.

Santander’s Chilean arm has launched a tender offer for up to $500m on its 3.875% fixed rate 2022s and its floating rate notes due 2018.

HCL Technologies is preparing to launch a $1bn float in the US, which would make it the first Indian company to list there in more than two years.

As Solera Holdings began on Tuesday in New York the last leg of its $2bn bond roadshow, investors in the US voiced their surprise at how negative some of its European counterparts remain about the success of the deal.

Three positive days in markets pushed Mexico to sell its second deal of the year on Tuesday as Latin America sovereigns become more pragmatic about choosing issuance windows.

Colombia’s sovereign bonds closed tighter on the day on Tuesday despite lower oil prices driving Standard & Poor’s to place the government’s BBB credit rating on negative outlook.

Barclays has announced a swathe of debt capital markets promotions, several new desk heads, and a new structure for EMEA, following last week's changes to the DCM management team.

A protracted slump in equity markets has pushed some risk measures in the US and Asia to extremes.

The derivatives hedging strategies of big name oil producers in recent years have left them levered on swings in the spot price of oil — a position that makes them a risky but potentially lucrative bet for investors.

Mexico is looking to sell its fifth euro denominated bond in four years after releasing initial price thoughts for six and 15 year tranches on Tuesday.