Natixis

Oman, one of only two sub-investment grade sovereign credits in the Gulf region, tapped two of its dollar bonds for $500m this week as it seeks to shore up state finances.

Belgian insurer Ageas sold its first deal in almost a year this week, with the spread on offer helping to drive demand to more than three times covered.

Engie, the French electricity and gas company, and UK transport firm National Express enjoyed bumper demand for hybrid capital issues on Thursday, as some market participants argued the coronavirus pandemic had changed the way hybrids are seen by issuers.

A pair of smaller names were tempted into the euro market on Tuesday, after Monday’s news that scientists have developed another successful vaccine for Covid-19 led to a further improvement of market conditions.

The high grade corporate bond market burst into life on Monday, with mandates for a diverse range of trades from hybrids to sustainability-linked bonds hitting screens to take advantage of the unexpectedly positive November issuance window.

Renault, the French car maker, issued on Monday its first bond since taking a €5bn state-backed loan. Investors piled into the deal.

Gunvor, the Swiss energy trader, has signed a $1.225bn European revolving credit facility, having increased it after asset-hungry lenders oversubscribed the loan during syndication.

Société de Financement Local (SFIL) was over 5-1/2 times covered as it brought its long-awaited debut green bond to the market on Friday, allowing it to price well inside fair value.

Inmobiliaria Colonial, the Spanish office real estate company, has signed a €1bn sustainability-linked loan, wrapping up a €2bn fundraising spree from the group.

Klépierre, the French shopping centre operator, and UPM–Kymmene, the Finnish paper company, were two of a handful of names to receive raucous receptions from the bond market this week. Issuers benefited as a wave of market-friendly news turned the focus in Europe’s high grade bond market back to a risk on mode.

Financial institutions jumped into action this week, as positive news on the development of a Covid-19 vaccine led to superlative funding conditions in the euro market.

A trio of rare issuers found a window for issuance in the FIG bond market on Thursday, with Nykredit and Hamburg Commercial Bank accessing a tightening senior non-preferred market, while Íslandsbanki launched Iceland's first ever sustainable bond