Goldman Sachs

Svenska Handelsbanken was the only financial institution to issue senior debt in euros this week. The issuance came at a time Swedish banks have been granted an extension of two years to comply with regulatory targets for MREL debt, which might make a short-term dent in issuance.

The Republic of Indonesia raised $4.3bn from a triple-tranche bond this week, making quick progress in its effort to fund a fiscal stimulus package that it hopes will soften the damage of the Covid-19 pandemic. Morgan Davis reports.

Europe’s top rated corporate bond issuers on Wednesday pushed investors further still, despite the spate of recent deals, with Capgemini bringing the second two year fixed rate bond in as many days and National Grid bringing the longest sterling deal since the coronavirus crisis took hold in the West.

A trio of agencies hit screens with dollar deals on Tuesday. Bank Nederlandse Gemeenten and CDP Financial tapped the three year part of the curve, while the Ontario Teachers’ Finance Trust reopened a five year market that had been shuttered by coronavirus-related volatility.

Ireland impressed on-looking supranational, sovereign and agency bond bankers on Tuesday as it received its largest ever order book for a syndication. It was not the only eurozone sovereign in the market as Cyprus printed seven and 30 year bonds.

The Republic of Indonesia turned to the bond market on Monday to fund its Covid-19 relief efforts, raising $4.3bn from a triple-tranche deal. Investor demand for long-dated tenors encouraged the country to offer a 50 year note as part of the trade, making it a first for Asian sovereigns.

Eurozone sovereigns extend their syndication spree this week with Cyprus and Ireland mandating banks for new deals on Monday. Both sovereigns are preparing bigger funding programmes in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Svenska Handelsbanken attracted €8.5bn of demand for a new preferred senior bond on Monday, as credit markets started the week on a strong footing. The Swedish lender said the transaction would help it to ‘prudently manage’ its liquidity position.

The Republic of Indonesia announced a triple-tranche bond sale on Monday morning, starting the week in Asia on a positive note. Bankers are watching investors’ response to the deal closely as more issuers line up new transactions.

Investment banking revenue in March was lower than normal as the coronavirus pandemic sapped risk appetite — but it was far from a total wipeout.

Dollar high yield and convertible bond buyers dived straight into the riskiest possible end of the market on Wednesday, snapping up rescue issues for cruise operator Carnival Corporation, a firm at the centre of the coronavirus storm. Carnival pledged nearly all its ships to back bondholders’ investments, while convert investors spied a chance to double their money — if the cruise industry can bounce back. Aidan Gregory, Jon Hay, Sam Kerr and Owen Sanderson report.

Dollar high yield buyers showed up in force for the largest priming debt opportunity provided so far by the coronavirus crisis, Carnival Corporation’s $4bn rescue offering, priced alongside a convertible and an equity capital raising on Wednesday. The package provides funds for the stricken cruise operator until November, but even if the company can’t start sailing again this year or next, investors in the new issue are first in line for the firm’s $38bn of assets.