Europe

Conditions in the financial institutions bond market worsened this week but plenty of senior and subordinated bonds still got away. With credit spreads unpredictable, the supply outlook remains favourable, said bankers.

A wide gamut of deals across asset classes filtered through the Swiss franc market this week. Gyrations in swaps allowed Crédit Agricole to come flat on euros on Thursday, while also giving investors a great deal on a long end Lausanne trade.

European investors are looking beyond the coronavirus crisis to put equity capital into companies that they believe can take advantage of its aftermath. However, as economies reopen after lockdown, the damage of the pandemic is becoming clearer, and companies are working hard to convince investors that they are the right horse to back.

Private debt markets in Europe have lost their sheen in the past few months. Having grown into attractive alternatives for companies looking to diversify from public and bank markets, the Schuldschein and US private placement markets were left by the wayside during the pandemic as borrowers went for quick cash instead.

Three borrowers hit screens in sterling this week, giving the currency its biggest workout for months. Two returned to the market to take advantage of a more advantageous cross-currency basis swap but a third is taking a strategic approach.

Market participants re-examined the prospects for covered bond supply in sterling this week in the wake of two deals from SSA borrowers in the currency. Spreads have tightened and issuance conditions have improved but that will have to be balanced against bargain basement priced funding available from central banks, bankers said on Thursday.

BNP Paribas has provided €40bn of loans to corporate clients in the eye of the Covid-19 storm, amid claims that rivals are retrenching. David Rothnie asks if balance sheet support will result in bigger corporate finance fees.

NatWest Markets names CEO and CFO — Natixis appoints new managers for UK and Middle East — Barclays' private capital markets boss leaves

Market participants expect European banks to take a large chunk of funding through the European Central Bank’s Targeted Longer-Term Refinancing Operations (TLTRO III) programme, hitting covered bond supply levels. But issuance in other asset classes should remain unaffected as banks follow through with their funding plans.

Banks are likely to consider unusual issuance windows this year given the disruption caused by the coronavirus crisis. They could even be hard at work during the summer months, according to deal arrangers.

Equity capital market participants were in a gloomy mood on Thursday as global equity indices fell in response to the pessimistic tone from the US Federal Reserve. However, European markets remain open for primary capital raising transactions.

HSBC and Standard Chartered are facing a backlash from investors and politicians after publicly supporting China’s planned security law for Hong Kong.