South America

One of Argentina’s poorest provinces is considering returning to international bond markets in January, according to buy-side sources in Buenos Aires.

Former president Sebastián Piñera won Chile’s elections on Sunday to book himself a second stint in charge of the Latin American country with the best credit rating. But though Chilean bonds rallied marginally on the news, analysts say the incoming leader faces a struggle to make significant policy changes.

Brazilian low-cost airline Gol has announced its latest liability management efforts: a $50m tender offer for its outstanding 2020s and a redemption of three small bonds issued as part of a distressed debt exchange last year.

Rutas al Mar, the toll road being built between Colombia’s Antioquia and Bolivar states, became the third concessionaire in the country’s 4G infrastructure project to issue bonds last week.

Mexican payroll lender Alpha Holdings sold its inaugural cross-border bond deal on Tuesday, becoming the latest in a growing group of Lat Am non-bank lenders to have issued internationally.

Colombian asset prices hardly budged this week after Standard & Poor’s brought the South American sovereign — once an EM darling — within one notch of junk status.

Banco Santander Chile sold $500m of three year bonds on Tuesday in its first dollar-denominated sale in three and a half years, offering investors a rare chance to buy such highly rated paper.

Banco Santander Chile sold $500m of three year bonds on Tuesday in its first dollar-denominated sale in three and a half years, taking advantage of a beneficial swap rate for opportunistic trades, according to DCM bankers.

South American sovereign Colombia is just one notch above junk status with Standard & Poor’s after weaker than expected growth took its toll on government finances.

Colombian toll road project Rutas al Mar is looking to meet investors ahead of a potential local currency bond transaction, according to DCM bankers, in what would be the third issuance from the country’s flagship 4G road-building programme.

EM bond investors’ hopes of a quiet end to the year were dashed by Brazilian issuers seizing the chance to clinch financing ahead of next year’s presidential elections as four credits from Latin America’s largest economy issued in dollars this week.

Argentine state oil and gas giant YPF drew a flatter than expected curve with a new 30 year deal on Thursday, following a debut issuance from its private sector rival Tecpetrol earlier in the week.