Middle East
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Turkey's central bank once again faces a critical rates decision this week. Any whiff of a cut in rates would be disastrous for the volatility-stricken country and its access to capital markets. -
Saudi Aramco has raised cash from an investor consortium by leasing a section of its pipelines, following a similar deal from Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) last year. Other Middle East oil companies may follow suit amid concerns over the future of the oil prices.
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Turkish lender Akbank has managed to roll over a syndicated loan, which also marks its debut piece of ESG financing. However, pricing widened beyond expectations owing to heightened volatility in both domestic and international markets.
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Commercial Bank of Qatar kicked off the second quarter with its first Swiss deal of the year. It was joined by New York Life, which raised Sfr475m as it benefited from its two triple-A ratings.
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Market participants are bracing themselves for the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey’s monetary policy meeting next week, which they hope will result in interest rates being held. Though market access for the sovereign remains difficult, markets are showing some signs of stabilisation.
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Professional services firm Alvarez & Marsal has hired a seasoned advisor to bolster its Middle East advisory team, as it seeks to be an integral part of the region's diversification transformation.
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Gulf corporates Ooredoo, Nogaholding and Arabian Centres sprung into the bond market this week, defying revived market volatility to raise dollar funding. The string of corporate issuance follows a similar streak from the region’s FIG issuers last week.
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Volatility in the US Treasury market has been the thorn in emerging market bond issuers' sides this quarter. Though bankers had expected borrowers front-load issuance, concerns about global interest rates and investor appetite have dulled volumes.
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Qatari telecommunications company Ooredoo started investor calls on Monday for a conventional dollar bond after a five year hiatus from the market.
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Confidence in Turkish assets hit fresh lows this week as investors struggled to digest a fresh wave of volatility after its central bank governor was sacked following an interest rate hike. With government and bank funding needs to be met in the international market, the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey has a big job on its hands in regaining investor confidence — though some say the damage has already been done.
