Hong Kong SAR

M&A in Asia has started on a strong note this year, with the first big financing — for McDonald’s China’s $2.08bn acquisition by Citic and Carlyle — under way. While details of the syndicated loan are limited at this stage, the transaction has already gathered plenty of attention from bankers, writes Shruti Chaturvedi.

The first two weeks of January have not brought the surge of new issuance that many expected, but the response to bonds so far shows that investors have grown surer of themselves compared to the end of 2016. Market watchers are now hopeful that Chinese New Year will mark the real start for deals, with February expected to bring roaring trade. Morgan Davis and Addison Gong report.

China’s Wisdom Education International Holdings hit the road on Thursday, opening books for its Hong Kong IPO that could raise up to HK$1.1bn ($147.0m).

Standard Chartered has created a new head of bond syndicate position in Asia, tapping Li Chao to the role, according to a bank spokesperson.

Corporates from Hong Kong, China and Singapore were clamouring for investors’ attention on Thursday for their respective offerings.

New World Development Company, via its wholly-owned subsidiary New World China Land, sold a $600m 10 year bond on Tuesday, the first time it had opted for such a long tenor, according to bankers.

Citi has made two new appointments in its research division, including a senior hire from Jefferies, according to a memo seen by GlobalCapital Asia.

A group of seven lenders opened a $600m loan for State Bank of India to retail participation this week, with three tickets up for grabs.

Wisdom Education International Holdings Co is set to start taking orders for its Hong Kong IPO on Thursday and is eyeing up to $150m, according to a banker close to the transaction.

New Silkroad Culturaltainment has wrapped up a HK$1.5bn ($193.4m) open offer, with orders barely covering over a third of the transaction, according to a filing with the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on Monday.

Standard Chartered has appointed a new head of bond syndicate for Asia, a spokesperson at the bank told GlobalCapital Asia on Tuesday.

Nomura has made two senior hires in Hong Kong, creating new positions in equity sales trading and prime finance, according to separate memos seen by GlobalCapital Asia.