Northeast Asia

In this round-up, Europe has now seen more Covid-19 infections than China and Italy more fatalities than the Mainland, the central bank has decided not to lower the loan prime rate (LPR), and Beijing has banned reporters from three US newspapers.

Goldman Sachs announced on Thursday that an employee in its investment banking division in Hong Kong had been identified as a "highly probable case" of the Covid-19 coronavirus.

China’s Cathay Media and Education Group has re-applied for approval to float in Hong Kong, submitting documents on Thursday with its latest financial figures.

Sunac China Holdings made an opportunistic buyback of some of its outstanding dollar bonds on Thursday, in a move that bankers said can add some liquidity into the debt market while instilling confidence in the real estate company’s cash reserves.

Mercedes-Benz Auto Finance broke an almost year-long break from the China auto ABS market this week with a Rmb6.316bn ($892m) deal. The company added a three month revolving period to its transaction, a rarity for issuers.

Asia’s stock markets dived on Thursday as investors opted to hoard cash and global safe havens roiled with coronavirus-driven volatility. Amid the turmoil, however, equity capital markets bankers are trying to look ahead and are preparing for deals in the second half of the year. Jonathan Breen reports.

A number of companies in Asia are understood to be following their European and US peers in drawing down revolving credit facilities as the rapid spread of Covid-19 bites. While this could pose some liquidity challenges in the loan market in the coming weeks, bankers are hoping the pain will be short-lived. Rashmi Kumar reports.

Shandong Ruyi Technology Group has had an interesting month: firing its onshore ratings agency, missing an interest payment on a bond, and then promising to repay the money privately to avoid a public default. The actions have triggered worries that more cash-strapped companies will follow its example. Rebecca Feng reports.

Humanwell Healthcare Group Co, a pharmaceuticals company based in the epicentre of the Covid-19 pandemic, has launched a $150m loan into general syndication.

The stress of Covid-19 is getting to us all. Especially those of us whose main form of exercise is rigorous sitting.

Shanghai Titan Scientific, Speechocean and Easton Biopharmaceuticals are all planning to make a second attempt at listing on Shanghai’s Star market.

China Huiyuan Juice Group is contemplating a restructuring to improve its liquidity position, after failing to avoid a bond default due to the Covid-19 outbreak. The company is also facing a delisting from the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.