Europe

Sanctions on a country’s sovereign debt do not typically herald a windfall of fee-earning bond market business in that country, but Russia may prove an exception. If the sovereign distorts prices in the domestic market, Russian corporates and banks may look to the international market to borrow instead.

Italy is a country of fast cars and has some some terrific companies for investors to invest in, but buyers must always keep in mind that political instability is as quintessentially Italian — and unpredictable — as an Alfa Romeo. It doesn't mean they cannot enjoy the ride, however.

The Nordic corporate bond market may be starting to stir from its deep summer sleep, as Samhällsbyggnadsbolaget i Norden (SBB) revealed on Tuesday plans for a new issue. The Swedish housing and social infrastructure company, rated BBB-/BBB- (both stable), has announced a roadshow starting on August 23 for a seven year euro note.

KommuneKredit failed to set the market alight with the first euro syndicated public sector bond since mid-July, excluding deals from German Laender. The Danish agency only managed to sell €500m for the 11 year benchmark and was unable to tighten the spread during pricing.

Ed Welsh will join HSBC in November as global head of business services, although his work is expected to be heavily centred around the UK, as the bank ramps up efforts to gain market share among the country’s biggest listed firms.

Ferretti, the Italian manufacturer of luxury yachts, is still planning to lead the autumn Italian IPO pipeline, despite the increasing likelihood that the country’s coalition government could collapse after the resignation of the Prime Minister.

Virgin Money plc has mandated leads for a European roadshow and hopes to issue its first euro denominated covered bond. The transaction is set to emerge at a challenging time, amid rising concerns that the UK will chaotically leave the European Union without reaching an exit agreement at the end of October.

Highgate School in north London has closed a £60m US private placement, joining a clutch of private schools using the instrument for long term financing.

BerlinHyp (BHH) reopened the covered bond market after the summer break with a €1bn three year that yielded almost 20bp less than the European Central Bank’s deposit rate. The transaction could cause some issuers to reconsider their funding approach as the deal can profitably refinance liquidity borrowed under the last Targeted Longer-Term Refinancing Operation (TLTRO II).

Tinkoff Bank, a Russian online bank, may return to the Eurobond market as early as this year as the prices on offer for their international bonds look attractive, even after the latest set of US sanctions on Russia, according to Larisa Chernysheva, head of investor relations at Tinkoff.

The European Central Bank has given Banca Carige the all-clear to try and carry out its latest plans to turn itself around. The ailing Italian lender said on Monday that its next step will be to ask its shareholders for their approval at a meeting next month.

The UK Debt Management Office said on Tuesday that it planned to hold a tender offer for up to £500m of its 4.25% 2046 Gilt. Meanwhile, Gilt-edged market makers (GEMMs) and investors have expressed their preferred timing, structure and maturity choice for the sovereign’s next syndication.