South America

Donald Trump’s inauguration as US president had no effect on Latin American bond markets, said syndicate bankers, although a sell-off in US Treasuries meant the buoyant market tone had softened by the end of the week.

Argentina found ample demand for its latest dollar-denominated bond sale on Thursday as investors found reassurance in the South American country’s ability to diversify its funding.

Colombia returned to dollars after a 15 month absence on Wednesday, becoming the first investment-grade Latin American sovereign to issue in the currency this year and notching up a large, tightly priced deal.

Argentine energy company Pampa Energía clinched pricing that was at least flat to its closest comps on its debut bond issue, said EM syndicate bankers, as corporates from the country look set to keep taking advantage of their newfound popularity.

Six Latin American issuers attracted more than $45bn of orders between them this week as the region’s bonds markets looked set to open Donald Trump’s term as US president in flying form.

South American development bank Corporación Andina de Fomento (CAF) returned to the euro market this week to raise €750m of five year notes amid a hectic time in both SSA and Latin American markets.

Sovereign issuers may have grabbed the headlines in Lat Am bonds on Wednesday, but the operator of Santiago’s metro system was certainly able to attract enough investor attention as it raised $500m of funding on Wednesday.

Argentina had attracted nearly $15bn of orders for its latest dollar issuance by Wednesday’s close, as both investors and bankers following the deal said they thought the sovereign may issue more than the $5bn it initially planned to sell.

Two Latin American sovereigns priced dollar deals on Wednesday in what some were interpreting as a rush to beat possible volatility surrounding Donald Trump’s inauguration as US president on Friday. But if markets are worried about what’s round the corner, they’re yet to show it.

Sovereign issuers may have grabbed the headlines in Lat Am bonds on Wednesday, but the operator of Santiago’s metro system was certainly able to attract enough investor attention as it raised $500m of funding on Wednesday.

Argentine energy company Pampa Energía clinched pricing that was “very competitive” versus peers on its debut bond issue, said EM syndicate bankers, as borrower-friendly conditions showed no sign of fading ahead of Argentina’s crucial sovereign bond issue on Thursday.

All seven new issues to emerge from Latin America last week ended Friday above their respective reoffer prices to reiterate the favourable conditions available to the region’s borrowers.