UK

The UK Debt Management Office has chosen the banks to lead the re-opening of its 0.125% 2041 index-linked Gilt, which is scheduled to take place next week.

The IPO of DNEG, the UK-based motion picture visual effects company, is being well received among investors, following the launch of book-building last week. While banks are yet to send a covered message they are confident in the transaction and are meeting US investors this week.

Royal Dutch Shell’s choice this week of a tight syndicate, heavy with US banks, to lead $4bn and €3bn of bonds has laid bare the sense of vulnerability among banks outside the US bulge bracket, as some expressed resentment at being left out of a lucrative and prestigious mandate.

Royal Bank of Scotland launched its debut social bond on Friday, attracting over €2bn of orders for its €750m offering. The trade benefited from a favourable backdrop in the primary market and an increased appetite for UK credit caused by a scarcity of issuance from the country this year.

Standard Chartered sang the praises of the Reg S only dollar market this week, after building a chunky order book behind its first tier two in the format in seven years. The deal kick-starts a busy period of capital issuance for the UK bank.

The Society of London, better known as Lloyd’s of London, is marketing a US private placement (PP). The insurance organisation's debut in PPs in its 333 year history is another sign the market is attracting a wider range of UK companies than ever before.

Bovis Homes hits debt and equity markets — IAG swoops on €1bn Air Europa — Northern Irish HA sells US private placements in market first

A flurry of new deals this week had issuers having to compete for investors’ attention. Bankers said that higher yielding deals were much easier to sell, with non-preferred senior bonds from Bankia and Lloyds Banking Group proving more popular than a tighter print from Belfius.

Radius Housing has become the first housing association from Northern Ireland to raise US private placements, selling £105m to fund social housing developments.

Caffil issued the tightest French 10 year of 2019 amid a flurry of other well received covered bonds issued on Tuesday by DZ Hyp, mBank and Santander UK. While the European Central Bank’s return to the market helped deals go well, it was not needed amid an improvement in risk appetite.

Royal Bank of Scotland is preparing to sell its first social senior bond from its holding company, giving investors a rare chance to add exposure to a UK issuer in the format.

The UK Debt Management Office will in November sell the fourth of five planned Gilt syndications during its 2019/20 financial year.