Asian bond supply grinds to a halt after Korea tension

Few Asian companies will sell international bonds before the end of the year, after escalating tensions in Korea increased investors’ caution — and deflated any hopes among debt bankers that 2010 will end with a bang. The weak sentiment caused Hong Kong Electric to become the fourth borrower in two weeks to scrap a bond deal, and while the issuer will take another look at the market next week, most bankers expect primary supply from Asia is largely done for the year.