Intesa Sanpaolo

National champions have outpaced their smaller peers in the rally in bank bond spreads over recent months. Investors say individual valuations in the middle tier of the sector could pick up, but that the chances of consolidation may first have to improve.

The three major rating agencies have upgraded UBI’s credit rating, to be in line with Intesa Sanpaolo’s as the latter's takeover of the former concludes. Market participants are expecting UBI’s covered bond spreads to tighten as a result.

Spanish telecommunications infrastructure company Cellnex has finished its €4bn rights issue to fund further M&A opportunities, with an extremely high oversubscription.

Northvolt, the Swedish battery maker, has signed a $1.6bn credit facility. A range of lenders — from commercial to governmental — piled into the deal, which will effectively create a new industry in Europe.

Azzurra Aeroporti, an acquisition vehicle that bought a majority stake in a French airport, made its debut in the bond markets on Tuesday, achieving decent demand despite some dire warnings emerging about the medium term future of industries linked to air travel.

Azzurra Aeroporti, an acquisition vehicle that bought a majority stake in a French airport, made its debut in the bond markets on Tuesday, achieving decent demand despite some dire warnings emerging about the medium term future of industries linked to air travel.

Russian steel producer Novolipetsk Steel (NLMK) has raised a €600m syndicated loan, as experts say that the continued presence of Russians in the market during the crisis is down to the resilience they were forced to acquire after years of sanctions.

Investindustrial, the European private equity firm, has signed a €600m subscription credit facility linked to environmental, social and governance metrics, as sustainability-conscious finance makes further inroads into the private equity market.

Moncler, the Italian ski jacket maker, has signed a sustainability-linked revolving credit facility for up to €400m, continuing the trend towards more environmentally friendly practices from the infamously wasteful fashion industry.

After UBI Banca said that it would not be taking up Intesa Sanpaolo’s acquisition offer because it was too risky for UBI’s shareholders, Intesa said on Monday that the value of the offer is higher than its target believes.

The Italian arm of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has signed a €6.3bn credit facility with backing from a state agency, months after the embattled car maker signed a multi-billion euro bridging facility.

BBVA is the latest large European bank to have suffered a ratings downgrade during the Covid-19 pandemic, with Fitch having moved the issuer’s debt ratings down by a notch blaming a weaker operating environment in Mexico and Spain.