Russia

In this round-up, a third batch of free trade zones (FTZs) get set to be rolled out soon, Hong Kong RMB deposits reach a three-year low, and the RMB qualified foreign institutional investor (RQFII) scheme adds two in Singapore. Plus, a recap of GlobalRMB's stories this week.

Bharat Petroleum Corp (BPCL), which sent out a request for proposals for a $750m borrowing in July, is said to be planning to raise the money from three banks on a bilateral basis, as opposed to a syndication.

Loan bankers expect more activity from Russian borrowers in the final months of the year, as Norilsk Nickel prepares to come to the market and rumours circulate of a large M&A financing.

Two CEEMEA issuers have picked banks for dollar transactions this week — Russia’s EuroChem and Sharjah Islamic Bank.

Activity is ramping up in emerging markets with several mandates coming through this week. While the unrelenting buying of the asset class continues, idiosyncratic risks are a reminder of the volatility that can arise.

Russian metals producer Norilsk Nickel is gearing up to launch a loan with international banks, having already secured a large unsecured facility from Chinese banks this year.

Borrowing conditions for Russian issuers are the best they have been since 2013 and, as changes to onshore funding conditions push more borrowers offshore, several corporates as well as the sovereign are expected to raise international money ahead of US elections in November, according to DCM heads at VTB and Sberbank.

Russian steelmaker Evraz has amended its loan agreements to prevent it from breaching covenants as volatile commodity prices hit earnings.

Borrowing conditions for Russian issuers are the best they have been since 2013 and as changes to onshore funding conditions push more borrowers offshore, several corporates as well as the sovereign are expected to raise international money ahead of the US elections in November, according to DCM heads at VTB and Sberbank.

Standard & Poor’s upgraded Novolipetsk Steel (NLMK) and Severstal to one notch above the Russian sovereign rating at the end of last week, prompting a rally in their bonds as investment grade funds became able to buy the notes.

Indian Oil Corp has awarded two banks the bid for a $300m bridge loan to support the acquisition of stakes in Russian oilfields.

Euroclear started servicing the Russian sovereign’s $1.75bn 2026 bond on Thursday, prompting a 30bp yield rally in the bonds and opening further discussion as to when the sovereign may return for more funding in the international markets.