France

Public sector borrowers piled into dollars across the curve this week, with every issuer finding plenty of demand. But it was trades from Finland and Cades which stood out with aggressive price tightening and chunky order books as they made their long-awaited returns to the currency.

French covered bond issuer Compagnie de Financement Foncier (CFF) ventured into unexplored territory at the end of last week to print the longest ever covered bond.

Unédic and NRW.Bank are planning to issue their first ever social bonds. The proceeds of Unédic's bond will go towards providing support for the French state unemployment package.

The Republic of Finland had to share its return to dollar market on Wednesday with a trio of three year SSA deals. Demand for dollar SSA bonds has been strong this week, and with mandates out for five and seven year deals,issuers are still looking to take advantage

Safran, the French aerospace and defence company, has joined the long list of companies that have tapped the equity-linked market for funding during the Covid-19 global pandemic, by placing a new €800m convertible bond on Tuesday.

Five public sector borrowers are marketing dollar bonds across the curve kicking off what it is expected to be a busy week in the currency.

Trading levels given are bid-side spreads versus mid-swaps and/or an underlying benchmark and bid-yields from the close of business on Monday, May 4. The source for secondary trading levels is ICE Data Services.

France is looking at conducting a large syndication this month as it looks to finance a much bigger funding programme, according to SSA debt capital markets bankers.

Unédic, the French agency responsible for providing the country's unemployed with social benefits, has had to ramp up its borrowing programme for 2021, thanks to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Caffil this week issued the first Covid-19 covered bond, securing vital funding for French hospitals to fight the pandemic. The deal emerged just as public sector borrowers, such as the German Laender, face mounting funding needs to cope with the pandemic, sparking debate over whether the hitherto moribund public sector Pfandbrief market could provide a vital source of cash, writes Bill Thornhill.

The European Central Bank’s press conference on Thursday did not provide the headline fireworks that its last meeting did. The sombre tone caused “disappointment” among investors and a slight widening of peripheral spreads. SSA issuers were also left dissatisfied with the bank’s lack of support for the money markets.

Banco Santander and Rabobank led senior bond supply in Europe this week, both issuing well-received non-preferred deals while Crédit Mutuel Arkéa went for the preferred format. National champions and other strong banks are lining up to issue while market conditions are conducive for deals, but lesser credits remain on the sidelines.