Russia

Ak Bars Bank has released guidance of 8% area yield for the first Russian new issue of 2015. Bankers away from the deal refuse to believe that the bond was not largely pre-sold.

Russian fertiliser producer UralChem is in the market for a syndicated loan led by Natixis, according to a banker looking at the deal.

Renaissance Capital has hired James Friel as global head of investment banking.

The announcement of a partnership between the China Financial Futures Exchange (CFFEX) and Moscow Exchange (Moex) on July 15 comes on the back of rapid growth in RMB usage for trade and investment in Russia. And closer ties are on the cards now that infrastructure is being put into place to make Moscow an RMB hub, Riccardo Orcel, deputy CEO of VTB Group, told GlobalRMB.

Ak Bars Bank has mandated Credit Suisse and UBS to arrange a Eurobond. If the deal goes ahead, it will be the first new issue from Russia this year.

The Russian government has joined a growing group of sovereign CPI-linked bond issuers, and analysts expect the government to return for at least one more sale this year.

Gazprom is asking for consent to modify the terms and conditions of its £500m 5.338% loan participation notes due 2020.

The Russian government has joined a growing group of sovereign CPI-linked bond issuers, and analysts expect the government to return for at least one more sale this year.

VTB's huge multi-tranche tender offer makes financial sense, but also demonstrates the pessimistic outlook for Russian growth at one of Russia’s biggest corporate lenders, despite this year’s rally in the country’s bonds.

Gazprom is asking for consent to modify the terms and conditions of its £500m 5.338% loan participation notes due 2020.

Ak Bars Bank has mandated Credit Suisse and UBS to arrange a Eurobond. If the deal goes ahead, it will be the first new issue from Russia this year.

VTB has launched a multi-tranche tender offer for dollar, Australian dollar and Swiss francs bonds.