South America

Brazilian meatpacker Marfrig used cash to buy back $72m of senior notes from October 9 last year to February 18 this year, focussing on its lowest coupon, lowest dollar price bond, the company revealed on Monday.

Short term option implied volatility for the Brazilian real rose to more than 23%, the highest level in some weeks, as the country prepares for the possibility of a presidential impeachment vote by April 17.

Three large Brazilian real denominated MTNs issued by Export-Import Bank of Korea (KEXIM) indicate that Brazilian investors are making a tax play, according to bankers.

Brazilian pulp producer Eldorado Brasil Celulose is plotting a potential debut cross-border bond that investors believe could receive a decent reception — if the company waits long enough to issue.

Brazilian low-cost airline Gol Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes said on Monday it had hired PJT Partners to advise it on its capital structure and liquidity, immediately provoking words of warning from Standard & Poor’s.

The Republic of Paraguay was the only Latin American borrower to sell bonds in a short Easter week for much of the region, as conditions continue to improve for new issues.

A continued rally in Brazilian bonds is giving DCM bankers in São Paulo some hope that issuance from the country may be on its way — although it will not be a flurry and volatility looks set to remain high for some time.

Fitch upgraded Argentina's local currency rating from CCC to B on Tuesday thanks to an improved policy framework, and predicted it would do the same to the government’s foreign currency rating once the country resumes timely debt service on defaulted bonds.

Raizen Energia, the Brazilian sugar and energy producer, will buy back nearly $200m of debt after bondholders gave a solid response to a tender offer.

Two more Latin America sovereigns could issue bonds soon as borrowers from the region make the most of improved market conditions.

Argentine state oil company YPF sold $1bn of five year notes at a new issue premium close to flat on Friday as the threat of an imminent flood of supply from Argentina did nothing to quell demand.

Real estate company IRSA CP this week became the latest Argentine issuer to raise debt in the international markets as bankers continue to work behind the scenes on the sovereign’s forthcoming return to markets.