Despite the Thanksgiving holiday in the US, issuance continued at a lively pace in Europe, with both the euro and sterling investor bases welcoming old and new corporates to their markets. And such has been the success of recent transactions that steady issuance is set to continue towards the year-end. French telecoms equipment manufacturer Alcatel (Baa1/BBB) is to launch a benchmark euro issue next week via ABN Amro, BNP Paribas, JP Morgan and SG. A three or five year maturity is being explored with investors, but a five year is thought to be preferred. Unofficial price talk for a five year is 250bp-275bp over mid-swaps.
November 23, 2001