Euro

Italy passed its first debt raising test since its yields blew out earlier in the week amid fears of another round of elections, as it auctioned bonds near the top end of its target volume range on Wednesday. But the sale did show the elevated borrowing costs the country faces.

Fears over Italy’s political woes spilling over into a full-blown eurozone crisis eased on Wednesday morning, as investors welcomed news that another round of elections could be avoided.

The violent moves in Italy’s curve since its president blocked the formation of a populist government may well be a sign of things to come, as government bond markets adjust to the post-crisis world of dwindling bank balance sheet support — and no central bank help.

Bond market havoc following the Italian president’s decision to appoint a technocratic government has shut the euro market for most public sector borrowers. Volatile swap spreads are making issuance near impossible, while an “enormous” flattening in Italy’s curve is of particular concern for that sovereign, said one head of SSA syndicate.

Guarantor: France

The political manoeuvrings in Italy’s path to being governed — as well as poor eurozone economic data — played havoc with rates this week, leading to SSA deals either paying higher new issue concessions, or falling short of subscription. More volatility could come, after the country’s president approved the likely coalition partners’ choice of prime minister but held back from appointing a eurosceptic economist to take charge of the country’s economy. Craig McGlashan reports.

Rating: Baa2/BBB/BBB+

After the Whit Monday holiday in Europe, Deutsche Telekom boldly re-opened the corporate bond market. Having seen compatriot Bertelsmann pull a deal on Thursday, Europe’s largest telecoms provider showed no fear when it sold a four-tranche offering.

German energy supplier Innogy found the corporate bond market tough going for its latest new issue, despite marketing its deal for two days. However, it did execute the deal in a week that saw two corporate bond deals pulled, and despite an M&A shadow hanging over the company.

American household appliance manufacturer Whirlpool took the brunt of the damage from the volatility in the corporate bond market this week as it had to pull a deal just as investors were waiting for a final update. But it might not be the last issuer to struggle in the European investment grade corporate bond market, writes Nigel Owen.

Dexia Crédit Local scored what leads said was a good result on Thursday as it brought a trade at the upper end of its size plans and tightened pricing during another volatile day for eurozone rates. KfW was also out in euros, with a tap, although it appeared to be more of a slow burner.

The European Commission has formally proposed a change in rules to allow sovereign bond-backed securities (SBBS) the same regulatory treatment as eurozone sovereign bonds. But the plan to introduce SBBS is still receiving an, at best, lukewarm reception from market participants.