NatWest Markets

While the euro primary market was running hot for financials this week, four banks also went to the sterling market for £1.625bn of senior funding, mainly concentrating on the shorter end of the curve.

Spanish telecoms company Telefonica announced the sale of new hybrid issues this week while also tendering for several of its outstanding hybrids. After more than a month since the last benchmark euro hybrid issue, investors contributed to an order book exceeding €4.5bn.

Royal Bank of Scotland and Bank of Montreal were offering investors sterling debt on Wednesday, as some analysts said that credit spread widening had made bonds in the currency appear cheap.

Spanish telecoms company Telefonica has announced the sale of its latest hybrid new issues while also tendering for several of its outstanding hybrids. After over a month since the last benchmark euro hybrid issue, investors contributed to a large order book.

Yapi Kredi printed its $500m five year senior bond on Monday with a new issue premium of 20bp-25bp — a hefty but necessary concession, vindicated by the deal trading around re-offer on Tuesday.

Yapi Kredi shrugged off last Friday’s downgrade by Moody’s and was well on its way to selling a new five year senior bond on Monday morning, having started around 40bp back of fair value, according to a lead manager.

French car manufacturer Peugeot has been on a ratings rollercoaster in the last 10 years. On Friday, now back to the highest sub-investment grade ratings, the company sold its third seven year deal in three years.

Prologis, the US-based warehouse Reit group, recently became the first issuer from its sector to issue a green bond, when it sold a €300m 10 year deal.

UK gaming group GVC Holdings has launched a £1.9bn equivalent loan facility into general syndication, as the company edges closer to its up to £3.9bn acquisition of Ladbrokes Coral.

On Friday, Unilever Spreads released guidance for its €4.6bn equivalent loan to fund its acquisition by KKR. French telecoms infrastructure group Circet also launched a smaller deal, a €570m loan package for its buyout by Advent. But investor demand isn't satisfied yet, say some market participants.

On Thursday, Prologis, the US-based warehouse Reit group, became the first issuer from its sector to issue a green bond, when it sold a €300m 10 year deal.

RCI Banque was one of the first issuers to sell a corporate bond in 2018. It has returned two months later with a dual-tranche offering which took advantage of demand for floating rate notes as well as fixed rate paper.