Crédit Agricole

Korea South-East Power Co (Kosep) has printed a $300m sustainability bond, in part to tackle the impact of Covid-19, becoming the third issuer from the country to tap the socially responsible investment market this month.

German pharmaceutical company, Phoenix Pharmahandel (Phoenix Group), held investor calls on Monday after mandating banks for a sub-benchmark sized offering in euros. The deal is the latest stab at funding by a pharmaceutical company — a sector which has lured greater numbers of investors thanks to the coronavirus pandemic.

Saudi Arabia has secured its inaugural green loan backed by an export credit agency (ECA). The deal, which is the first of its kind in the region, may have a domino effect on other sovereigns in the Gulf, said bankers.

Wordline, the French payments company, has returned to the equity-linked market to sell a new five-year €600m convertible bond at a negative yield.

Guarantor: Federal Republic of Germany

Investors turned out in force as KfW brought its first benchmark green bond of the year this week. The strong demand allowed the German agency to print its joint biggest ever green bond on the back of its largest ever order book for such a deal along with an attractive pricing advantage over a conventional bond.

KfW made a strong return to the benchmark green bond market on Tuesday, taking advantage of a more attractive pricing dynamic for green bonds over conventional issuance compared to earlier in the year.

Russian steel producer Novolipetsk Steel (NLMK) has raised a €600m syndicated loan, as experts say that the continued presence of Russians in the market during the crisis is down to the resilience they were forced to acquire after years of sanctions.

Shanghai Pudong Development Bank Co has added to the growing presence of Chinese financial credits in the international debt market with a $500m deal.

A small deal size and investment grade ratings worked in GS Caltex Corp’s favour on Monday, allowing the South Korean oil refiner to price a tight $300m bond.

KfW will lead the charge in the euro public sector bond market on Tuesday with a €3bn green bond that will match its biggest ever deal in the format. Eurofima and the State of Berlin are also preparing to bring bonds to the euro market.

The MTN market expects a busy summer in Asia as investors look to make up for time lost to the coronavirus pandemic at the start of the year. In Europe, things are starting to slow down, however, there are signs that the credit market could open up over the coming weeks.