UK

Prudential plc secured an attractive rate of funding when it sold a new perpetual tier two bond on Tuesday, but market participants remain unclear whether or not there is enough demand for fixed-for-life coupons to allow a flurry of new issuance from other European insurers.

Barclays has enhanced its bank research operation in Europe with the hire of two senior analysts to head the team.

Footasylum, the UK sports shoe retailer, plans to float on London’s Alternative Investment Market next month, it said in an intention to float document on Monday.

The Bank of England will take over the “end-to-end” administration of the Sterling Over Night Index Average (SONIA) benchmark and implement key reforms on April 23, 2018, the central bank confirmed on Monday.

UK grocer Tesco and US telecoms company Verizon both announced tender offers for some of their outstanding bonds in euros and sterling. Tesco is offering to buy up to £700m equivalent, while Verizon will confirm the size of its repurchase once it has sold new euro and sterling bonds.

Companies that have priced bonds in Europe this week have paid very small new issue premiums, but only four deals have been priced in euros. The sterling market was almost as busy, with three issues. Bankers are, however, working hard to bring deals to market.

Corporate bond deals are often executed on Fridays to give issuers some space in crowded weeks. However, Friday was one the busiest days of this week, with both euro and sterling investors offered long dated deals to consider.

The appointment this week of John Flint as chief executive of HSBC carried none of the drama and internecine rivalry that marked the elevation of his predecessor Stuart Gulliver six years ago, but could have implications for the future leadership of the firm’s global banking and markets division.

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The sterling bond market is enjoying a golden age. That was in clear evidence this week when a German-focused property company with very few sterling assets to fund chose to sell its debut deal in the currency. Nigel Owen reports.

Yet another new London IPO was unveiled on Thursday, when ContourGlobal, the emerging markets-focused power generation company, said it would raise $400m to finance growth and cut debt, by selling new shares to institutional investors.

The UK's Financial Conduct Authority needs all hands on deck. It faces an iceberg of approaching regulation, Brexit, an asset management review and its day-to-day business. Plus, it is moving to Stratford, east London, in April.