United States

Fresh doubt has been cast on whether the record-breaking $100bn loan package for US chip maker Broadcom will come to fruition, after a US national security committee took the unusual step of issuing a public warning against the acquisition that the funds will finance.

Even allowing for the pause in European corporate bond issuance caused by the volatility of global markets early in February, the month's primary activity proved to be meagre. But investors are hoping the signs for March are better.

Chinese live streaming platform YY is looking to take its online game broadcasting platform Huya public with a US IPO.

Derivatives exchanges around the world reported strong February volumes this week, potentially painting a rosy picture for the year ahead as markets seem set to return to higher volatility.

The low rates in Europe are making the euro high yield market an attractive option for US issuers like Belden, a St Louis-based manufacturer of telecoms equipment, which is launching a new euro bond to buy back old deals in euros and dollars. More US issuers are coming to euros, say bankers and investors.

Standard Chartered has hired a JP Morgan banker to lead part of its North American corporates team.

European implied equity volatility has fallen after Angela Merkel secured a fourth term as German chancellor and despite Italy's general election producing a hung parliament.

Chinese after-school education provider OneSmart International Education Group has filed an IPO prospectus with the US market regulator for a New York Stock Exchange listing of up to $300m.

On Thursday, Prologis, the US-based warehouse Reit group, became the first issuer from its sector to issue a green bond, when it sold a €300m 10 year deal.

The new issue US dollar bond market roared back to life as volatility dropped and corporates took advantage of favourable conditions with $17bn of supply coming from 19 borrowers.

The total issuance of investment grade corporate bonds in February was an underwhelming €14.8bn but the property sector has outshone all others in 2018 and this week was no different as investors had further diversification to consider.

Six of the nine investment grade corporate new issues in the last week of February were announced with a three letter acronym that, while providing clarity, served to frustrate investors keen to see greater volumes of issuance. WNG stands for “will not grow” and this week told investors that the meagre sized deals would not be increased, irrespective of demand.