Belgium

The MEP leading the European Parliament’s Markets in Financial Instruments Directive II discussions told GlobalCapital that he has “duly noted” that the Commission’s changes to regulatory technical standards did not include all demands made by Parliament.

Buried in a hay bale of legal documentation last week, the European Union’s final draft of margin rules for uncleared swaps contained a joke that is sure to needle major banks. The question is whether anyone, including regulators, will still be able to smile at it when the September 1 deadline passes.

Belgium

Action in euros was focused on the long end this week, with a trio of issuers printing benchmark deals in maturities beyond 10 years as the market prepared for next week’s European Central Bank (ECB) meeting.

The SSA market has seen a deluge of deals this week as issuers in both dollars and euros look to raise funding before the European Central Bank and the US Federal Open Market Committee meet in coming weeks, which could cause disruption.

KfW is set to print a 10 year euro benchmark, following in the footsteps of Belgium and Finland, this week as issuers attempt to conclude funding before the European Central Bank’s meeting on March 10.

Two European sovereigns mandated for benchmark bonds in euros on Monday leading what is expected to be a scramble to get in and out of the primary market before the European Central Bank meeting on March 10.

Nyrstar, the Belgian zinc producer, has successfully completed the sale of all the new shares on offer in its rights issue, after selling the rump of the deal in an accelerated bookbuild on Wednesday.

Belgian telecommunications company Telenet, which is owned by Liberty Global, has drawn on €1.2bn of loans to fund the €1.325bn acquisition of Belgian mobile operator, BASE.

In this round-up, Charles Li promises Bond Connect and RMB derivatives, ICBC sees cross-border business booming, Moscow Exchange looks to connect with Chinese investors, offshore RMB (CNH) still a top three currency on the EBS FX trading platform, and China clarifies rules for foreign banks looking to join the onshore FX market. Plus, a recap of the top GlobalRMB stories this week.

Nyrstar has obtained 99.79% of the votes cast in a second extraordinary general meeting to approve its rescue rights issue. The Belgian zinc and lead producer had failed to reach a 50% quorum at an EGM last month.

Belgium has scored the second bumper sovereign trade of the week, building one of its largest books in several years to print a 10 year euro benchmark that enjoyed strong participation from beyond Europe.