Brazil was quick off the mark with a $1.5bn five year global yesterday (Thursday), creating a new benchmark for the sector. Bear Stearns and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter joint lead managed the deal, which offers a 10.25% coupon and has an issue/reoffer price of 98.895. The bond - the first emerging market sovereign transaction of the year - looks set to be a blowout success. Coinciding with Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan's announcement of a half point rate cut, and an upgrade of Brazilian sovereign foreign debt by Standard and Poor's (S&P) to BB- from B+, the bond was increased by 50% on the $1bn announced on Wednesday.
January 05, 2001