Currencies
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The European Central Bank’s press conference on Thursday did not provide the headline fireworks that its last meeting did. The sombre tone caused “disappointment” among investors and a slight widening of peripheral spreads. SSA issuers were also left dissatisfied with the bank’s lack of support for the money markets.
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Funding needs of regions across Europe are expected to rise this year as borrowers fund responses to the coronavirus pandemic. Spanish and German regions in particular will face heavier borrowing requirements. -
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Swiss franc bond spreads have failed to tighten as much as they have in the euro market, and the lack of price action meant few issuers ventured out this week. A trio of domestic deals comprised the only new supply.
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The European Investment Bank and the Region of Madrid stood out in the public sector bond market this week, with the former achieving its biggest ever order book for a euro benchmark.
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The Netherlands has increased its borrowing programme for the year as a result of a measures taken by the government following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.
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Italy was able to raise almost €6bn in auctions with ease on Wednesday following Tuesday night’s unexpected downgrade by Fitch, which leaves it just one notch above junk.
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Fitch Ratings has lowered Italy’s credit rating one notch to BBB- on Tuesday night, making the move more than two months ahead of its scheduled review in July.
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The European Investment Bank achieved its biggest ever order book in euros on Tuesday, as it sold its first seven year benchmark of the year.
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The region of Madrid and the European Investment Bank are both marketing seven year euro deals, with the former preparing the first green labelled bond by a Spanish government entity. Elsewhere in the euro public sector bond market, Ontario Teachers’ Finance Trust is moving forward with its first bond in the currency.
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Italy’s credit rating is dividing analysts. Some believe that it should have been downgraded by S&P on April 24 because of the country's ballooning debt burden, while others felt that the European Central Bank can keep the refinancing risk at bay.
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Bpifrance became the first French issuer to sell a Covid-19 response bond on Friday, raising €1.5bn.
