ING

Asian bond issuers went full speed ahead with their fundraising plans on Monday, launching new deals ahead of Chinese New Year holidays at the end of the month.

TrailStone Group, the gas and power trader and investor based in London, has closed the year with a €150m revolving credit facility, which complies with the Green Loan Principles.

UK fund Sequoia Economic Infrastructure Fund, which invests in infrastructure debt, has increased its multi-currency revolver for the second time since May, enlarging it from £200m to £280m.

The average number of primary dealerships in the European Union has dropped to equal the lowest on record, according the Association for Financial Markets in Europe’s latest government bond data report.

Power company Electricité de France has agreed to buy back almost €1.2bn-equivalent of its hybrid capital bonds, marking the end of a busy period for the company in the debt markets.

Investec has entered the loan market for the third time this year, taking a $450m two year term loan from a range of international lenders.

JAB Holding, the consumer products holding company, steepened its credit curve this week with its dual tranche bond, as it preferred securing demand over squeezing investors on pricing.

JAB Holding, the acquisitive consumer products holding company of the Reimann family, launched eight and 20 year euro benchmark bonds on Monday, hoping to adjust its debt pile with the proceeds.

Utmost International, the life assurance group which mandated leads to run investor meetings for a senior bond in mid-November, may have missed the issuance window this year as the primary market slows to a standstill around the UK's general election.

Russian steel maker Metalloinvest has raised its third syndicated loan of the year, according to bankers. The deal has a fixed rate.

Intesa Sanpaolo has become the first bank to use the proceeds of a green bond specifically to promote the development of a more circular economy — an issue that has been gaining increased attention from EU policymakers recently.

Groupe BPCE and BNP Paribas issued green bonds this week, attracting strong levels of demand for such a late stage in the year.