Latin America

Chile's sovereign dollar bonds hardly budged in Monday trading despite its electorate voting to change the country's constitution the night before. But analysts believe uncertainty along the road to a new political agreement could harm investment, and the new constitution will likely drive up government spending.

Total Play Telecomunicaciones, the Mexican telecommunications company, is approaching international bond investors for the first time. With some EM investors saying they are ready for a pre-US election lull in bond issuance and mixed fortunes for recent new Latin America deals, it could provide a good test of the state of play in the region’s primary markets.

HSBC has poached a senior banker from Citi to run banking in its Americas business.

Suriname’s new government said on Thursday that it would not make a coupon payment due next Monday on its $550m of 9.25% 2026s as it prepares for restructuring discussions. But with the Surinamese economy capable of generating high levels of hard currency, the focus could be on liquidity relief rather than principal haircuts.

Two corporate deals on Monday and a tiny tap from a Paraguayan beef exporter on Wednesday were all investors had to choose from in Latin American primary bond markets this week as issuance remains light ahead of the US elections next month.

Brazilian oil company Petrobras this week announced it will spend $1.95bn on repurchasing existing bonds via a tender offer, as the rapid pace of its reduction continues.

A group of Neuquén’s bondholders swiftly rejected an improved debt restructuring offer this week, saying any reduction in interest payments on the Argentine province’s senior secured bonds cannot be justified.

Panama’s bonds traded lower on Wednesday, a day after Moody’s became the third agency to place the sovereign’s rating on negative outlook. Moody’s highlighted, however, that Panama’s broad bond market access remained a key credit strength.

Frigorífico Concepción, the Paraguayan beef exporter, raised $40m in bond markets on Wednesday after a three-day sales process.

Minera Las Bambas (MLB), a subsidiary of Hong Kong-listed MMG, has raised an $800m loan from four Chinese banks.

Brazilian oil company Petrobras will continue the rapid reduction of its debt burden after completing a tender offer under which it will spend $1.95bn on repurchasing existing bonds.

Bolivia’s dollar bonds traded lower for a second consecutive day on Tuesday as left-wing former finance minister Luis Arce looks set to assume the presidency. However, some argue that Arce is the best candidate for market stability, at least in the short term.