Europe

DNB successfully issued a Swedish krona covered bond on Thursday in a size large enough to qualify for the best treatment under the liquidity coverage ratio (LCR) and at a more competitive funding level than was available elsewhere. The deal emerges in the wake of a report from Moody’s which highlighted the strength of the Swedish covered bond market.

The Monks Investment Trust, the UK listed investment trust managed by Baillie Gifford, has sold £100m of US private placements.

The Hut Group (THG), the UK e-commerce company, is preparing an IPO on the London Stock Exchange that is expected to value the firm at around £4.5bn ($5.94bn), as it experiences a surge in customers buying goods from its platforms during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Communauté Française de Belgique returned in mid-August after a seventh month absence to print a slew of deals for a combined €404m, according to Dealogic.

Scope for Nordic covered bond issuance in euros is moderately positive, even in Sweden where some issuers could yet make a strategic return to euros despite the higher cost. Danes and Norwegians may also make an appearance in euros, but Finnish supply hopes are considered more limited.

The use of exchange-traded funds labelled as addressing environmental, social and governance themes is rising rapidly, as investors believe they allow them to track ESG indices more easily and cheaply, without necessarily having to engage intensively with ESG matters.

Oleg Mukhamedshin, deputy chief executive of Rusal, which produces 9% of the world’s aluminium, tells Mariam Meskin how the company has weathered yet another rocky period in commodity markets. And how its sustainability credentials have been affected by oil spills at its affiliate, Norilsk Nickel, in May and June.

After KfW mandated banks on Wednesday to join the 10 year euro flurry, the question on the minds of market participants is at what level the Germany agency will choose to start at with such a wide differential between relative and fair value.

The State of North Rhine-Westphalia and Nederlandse Waterschapsbank rebooted the long of the euro SSA curve on Wednesday with well subscribed deals and minimal new issue premiums.

Erste Group has changed the reporting on its cover pool in a move that has effectively resulted in a substantial increase in issuance capacity which other borrowers with limited collateral could mimic.

Activity in the financial institutions bond market has picked up this week after a long pause in euro supply. Danske Bank and Belfius Bank were among the names looking to capitalise on the improving market conditions on Wednesday.

Finland was on track to receive its biggest ever book for a syndication as it came to the market with its third euro benchmark of the year on Wednesday.