NatWest Markets

Emmanuel Macron’s election as French president last weekend was the catalyst for a flood of revved up euro deals this week, with issuers and investors aiming at the long end of the curve as the biggest known political risk in Europe this year passed with a market-friendly outcome. Craig McGlashan reports.

Volatility late in the week failed to dampen a scorching few days of public sector dollar issuance, auguring well for more expected supply in the currency next week. Four issuers — some of which came this week to avoid other trades pencilled in for next week — were able to price deals at tight levels, with some coming through their curves.

Royal Bank of Scotland this week gave capital markets the clearest view yet of how banks are set to re-engage with the covered bond market as a staple source of financing, as the sector comes under pressure to wean itself off the special fundings schemes set up by the Bank of England and the European Central Bank.

Pemberton has hired a veteran leveraged finance banker as a new partner in its origination team, as it further builds out its private debt platform in Europe.

Public sector issuers “can do whatever they want” in a rampant dollar market, with investors ploughing into books despite deals pricing close to or flat to their curves.

Public sector borrowers are rushing back into dollars after a quiet few weeks for the currency, with a trio of issuers taking indications of interest for Wednesday business.

Bpifrance Financement broke its size record on Tuesday, nipping back into capital markets ahead of several of its compatriots, according to a funding official at the issuer. The European Investment Bank (EIB) and NRW.Bank also made the most of the stable conditions, printing their own benchmarks.

Saga, the UK insurance company, priced its £250m bond almost almost 40bp inside initial price thoughts on Tuesday, in the European high yield market's first new issue since the French election, despite fears that a Macron win could be read as negative for the Brexiting UK.

Hospital operator Ameos has scheduled a bank meeting for Wednesday morning for a €510m loan refinancing, as banks scramble for deals.

Three public sector borrowers hit screens on Monday, mandating in a euro market buoyed by the defeat of National Front candidate Marine Le Pen in the final round of the French presidential election on Sunday.

UK specialist insurance and travel provider Saga is set to price its first bond next week, a benchmark deal that is part of a refinancing of its financial structure.

General Motors Financial Co made its first journey of the year to the euro bond market on Wednesday, issuing a €1bn four year floating rate note.