South America

The Middle East is continuing its domination of the CEEMEA primary market and even the Latin America new issue market is starting to see some action as a run of successful bonds in the last fortnight is helping to bolster investor confidence.

Argentine state-owned oil and gas company YPF said on Tuesday that it would buy back $176.245m of the $452.198m in dollar bonds it is due to repay on December 19.

Brazilian state-owned development bank Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico e Social (BNDES) will buy back nearly $650m of existing bonds, including over half of its existing green bond.

Latin American DCM bankers are hoping that Brazilian pulp and paper producer Suzano Papel e Celulose gave the market the fillip it needed as the borrower enjoyed smooth execution on a surprise outing on Monday.

Syndicate bankers say more Latin American issuers could follow Argentine oil and gas company YPF and Brazilian state-owned bank BNDES in buying back existing bonds as low dollar prices make tenders attractive and can provide investors with liquidity.

As the market waits for Brazilian banks to launch the first covered bonds out of the country, market participants from the country say it provides the lenders with a useful new instrument. But whether they can reach investment grade status in euros or dollars depends on currency risk mitigation, according to a Moody’s official.

Brazilian state-owned development bank BNDES is looking to buy back up to $1.65bn of existing debt after launching tender offers for two dollar bonds.

Investors’ eyes are on the Middle East this week as a slew of borrowers bring Sukuk trades to market, but while hopes are high for successful deals, a Turkish central bank rate decision looms large in investors’ minds.

Argentine state-owned oil and gas company YPF is looking to buy back all of its dollar bonds due in December, offering a small premium over face value.

A positive day for Argentina’s bonds on Thursday did not reverse its inverted yield curve in dollars as analysts say investors are becoming ever more concerned about the country.

Brazilian pulp and paper company Suzano’s decision not to announce a deal the day after finishing an investor roadshow this week left bankers wondering exactly which Latin American issuers would find conditions ripe for a new deal.

Bond bankers covering Latin America will have all eyes on Brazilian pulp and paper company Suzano on Thursday as it could become the first company from the region to issue in dollar markets in nearly two months.