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* Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Rating: Aa3/AA-

THE HIATUS in issuance in the international dollar markets proved shortlived this week: a glut of issuers took advantage of the firmer tone in the market to launch sizeable dollar transactions. US corporates led the way. Ford Motor Credit launched the largest ever corporate global bond - a $3.25bn financing via Salomon Smith Barney and Bear Stearns split between $2.25bn of five year fixed and $1bn of seven year floating paper.

THE FRENCH equity market is poised to host several deals from the country's rapidly restructuring corporate sector in the next few months. Several larger companies are shedding non-core businesses and rationalising existing operations ensuring that local and international investors will have opportunities to participate in the increase in efficiency that is expected to spread throughout the French industrial sector.

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CREDIT Suisse First Boston has begun pre-marketing the sale of stock in Sauer, a manufacturer of mobile hydraulic parts that is registered in the US but whose management is based in Germany. The lead manager has fully registered the deal with the US SEC before obtaining a listing in New York, although the stock will also be listed on the main market in Frankfurt.

CREDIT SUISSE First Boston has won the mandate for a sale of shares in a privately owned Russian company, a rarity in the international markets but also a transaction that investors are expected to greet enthusiastically. The shares in Akrikhin, a pharmaceutical concern, will offer international institutions a welcome alternative to companies that still have strong links to the government. Investors are seeking shares in private companies as they offer a purer play on economic recovery, while many such companies are chronically undervalued.

* Council of Europe Social Development Fund Rating: Aa1/AAA

DRESDNER Kleinwort Benson and Aros Securities are about to complete their $186m sale of shares in Vestas Wind Systems. The deal was launched two weeks ago but demand has been so strong that the book was closed last week - ahead of schedule.

* Christiania Bank Rating: A2/A

* Réseau Ferré de France (RFF) Rating: Aaa/AAA/AAA