RBC Capital Markets

A bevy of SSA issuers was able to print dollar benchmarks at tight levels this week, crystallising strong performances seen since the start of the year.

Rating: Aaa/AA+/AAA

Nationwide has fired up the MTN printing press and wants to do more business over the next couple of weeks, according to bankers. The bank priced its first deal in two years last week, but bankers warn that the issuer may need to widen its levels to do more deals.

Guernsey could follow Jersey into the capital markets, with the bailiwick’s treasury minister considering a debut deal following Jersey’s inaugural debt sale this week. If Jersey’s more than twice oversubscribed debut is anything to by, Guernsey can expect a warm welcome.

Royal Bank of Canada and Commonwealth Bank of Australia took to the sterling market on Wednesday. CBA drew solid demand for a fixed rate deal in the belly of the curve, while RBC opted for an unusually long tenored floater.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia and Royal Bank of Canada were both looking to sell sterling debt in the belly of the curve on Wednesday, the Australian issuer looking for fixed rate notes and the Canadian bank for floating rate paper. RBC is targeting an aggressive level compared to CBA, according to FIG syndicate managers.

MOVES IN BRIEF

European Investment Bank and Export Development Canada showed their Australian dollar appeal this week, selling hefty deals in the belly of the curve. Japanese demand propelled the EIB to success, allowing the issuer to sell its largest Kangaroo deal in three years.

Storming conditions in dollars this week led to a series of blow-out deals — but a large amount of supply in the last two weeks, plus uncertainty over the outcome of upcoming European elections and what the European Central Bank will do at its next meeting could mean that issuance conditions won’t be red hot for much longer. Those problems could also affect euros — where issuers considering deals at the 10 year part of the curve have the added difficulty of offering a sufficiently enticing yield.

Public sector issuers that ventured into dollars this week were inundated with demand, allowing them to bring a series of oversubscribed deals in the short to medium part of the curve. Others are tipped to follow if conditions are stable next week — after a stormy afternoon of trading across credit markets on Thursday.

The Province of British Columbia will make its Kangaroo debut on Friday, drawing strong demand from investors. The deal will round off a hot week for issuance for Kangaroos, during which the Asian Development Bank sold the largest such deal from a sovereign, supranational or agency in almost three years.

RBC Capital Markets’ Stuart McGregor revealed himself to be a lover of prog rock last week, after telling one of our moles that he was off to see the legendary Yes at the Royal Albert Hall on May 8.