Deutsche Bank

Asian bond investors reclaimed some of their power this week, but the coup was far from bloodless. Three single-B rated issuers were forced to pull planned dollar bonds. Morgan Davis and Addison Gong report.

The race for the fixed line assets of Hutchison Telecommunications is nearing the finish line, with details emerging on the financing to support a bid by US private equity firm I Squared Capital. The firm is competing against a joint bid from MBK Partners and TPG Capital, which can already boast one clear win in the sector. Shruti Chaturvedi reports.

Shanghai International Port Group (SIPG) has pocketed $1bn after it cashed in a chunk of its H-shares in Postal Savings Bank of China with a dual-tranche exchangeable bond, drawing in outright investors keen to build a large position in a notoriously illiquid stock.

Deutsche Bank has appointed a new head of Latin America debt capital markets after promoting from within, according to sources with knowledge of the move.

Single-B rated bond issuers in Asia got a major setback this week, with three debut credits pulling their planned dollar offerings. There were plenty of reasons for their failures, but bankers say the cancellations reflect a debt market transitioning from one dancing to the tune of borrowers to one being dictated by investors.

Sri Lanka has reached its target of $1bn from a three year syndicated loan that was launched at $450m, after demand poured in from Indian lenders.

Greece’s return to bond issuance on Tuesday drew praise from bankers across the SSA sector, who are now eagerly waiting to see whether the book — much smaller than its previous comeback bond in April 2014 — trumps that older deal for quality.

First-time issuers China Chengtong Holdings Group and China Logistics Property Holdings Co are preparing for their dollar fundraisings, tapping banks to lead their respective offerings.

Continuum Wind Energy’s subsidiary Continuum Energy Levanter is selling a senior 144A/Reg S bond on Tuesday, adding variety to a busy primary debt market.

Chinese mobile phone maker Xiaomi has allotted its $1bn loan, fully exercising a $250m greenshoe option on the back of strong demand.

Greece is set to make its much rumoured return to the debt markets this week, bringing a new five year bond alongside a switch and tender offer for its original comeback issue, an April 2019 sold three years ago. Bankers away from the trade expect the trade to go well, despite coming just as the summer slowdown is set to start.

An otherwise quiet week for block trades was interrupted on Thursday night with a large selldown of shares in Norilsk Nickel, the Russian nickel and palladium mining company, by Metalloinvest, the steel maker and miner.