Bonds of merchant energy companies were lower last week following news that Duke Energy, an investment-grade credit that many believed would stay free from scandal, engaged in round-trip trades to artificially boost trading volumes.
Calpine Corp.'s 8.5% notes of '11 (B1/B) fell five points to 56-8 through Thursday. AES Corp.'s 9.375% of '10 were down six points to 53 and CMS Energy's 8.5% notes of '11 (B3/BB) dropped 2.5 points to 73.
The troubles in the sector even hit the bonds of Mirant Corp. One portfolio manager believes they should have received a lift from the company's announcement on Tuesday that Mirant would sell a Wisconsin power plant for $109 million. Mirant's 8.30% notes of '11 were down six points on the week to a 67 bid.