Swap spreads continued to tighten across all markets this week against a background punctuated by European and Asian holidays and characterised by low issuance levels. Although there are more holidays next week, corporate issuance is expected to pick up with several houses talking of imminent mandates. Deutsche Börse, rated Aa1/AA+, has appointed Deutsche Bank, Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein (DrKW) and Goldman Sachs as lead managers of a May 2008 inaugural euro benchmark bond. Launch of the Eu750m-Eu1bn bond is expected after a pan-European roadshow starting next week. Unofficial price talk is in the mid-swaps plus 15bp area.
May 02, 2003