US markets snapped a two-day rising streak as investors weighed the risks of possible inflation and a rise in Covid-19 cases around the world. S&P and Nasdaq fell by 0.3% and 0.4% respectively led by the technology and communication stocks. Apple was down 0.9%, Microsoft was down 1.2% and Tesla down 2.2%. The NY Fed’s Empire Manufacturing release came lower at 24.3 for May vs. 26.3 last month – within the reading, new orders rose while inflationary pressures were seen in the prices paid index at 83.5, the highest since the surveys began in 2001. Vice Chair Richard H. Clarida opined that the US economy would take time to recover from the pandemic based on the lower than expected addition of 266k jobs in April. European equity indices were also modestly lower with the FTSE, DAX and CAC slipping 0.2%, 0.1% and 0.3%. US 10Y Treasury yields were flat at 1.65% and US IG CDS spreads were 0.9bp wider and HY spreads were 5.8bp wider. EU main spreads were 0.5bp wider and crossover spreads widened 1.9bp. Asian equities have opened ~1% higher and Asia ex-Japan CDS spreads tightened 0.2bp.
New Bond Issues
- Jiangsu Jinguan Investment $100mn 3Y at 2.4% area
- €1.5bn via a 4.25Y non-call 3.25Y (4.25NC3.25) floater at a yield of -0.099%, 25bp inside initial guidance of 3mE+70bp area. The bonds are callable at par on August 24, 2024 and anytime on or after 24 July 2025. The coupon will follow 3mE+100bp until the first call date.
- €1bn via a 7.25Y non-call 6.25Y (7.25NC6.25) bond at a yield of 0.583%, 20bp inside initial guidance of MS+90bp area. The bonds have a make whole call (MWC) until August 24, 2027, and are callable at par on that date and anytime on or after July 24, 2028. If not called on the first call date, the 7.25NC6.25 bond coupon resets to 3mE+76bp paid quarterly.
- €1.5bn via a 11Y non-call 10Y (11NC10) bond at a yield of 1.102%, 22bp inside initial guidance of MS+115bp area. The bonds have a MWC until May 24, 2031, and are callable at par on that date and anytime on or after April 24, 2032. Both the 7.25NC6.25 and 11NC10 bonds have fixed coupons until the first call date. If not called on the first call date, the coupon resets to 3mE+95bp paid quarterly.
HSBC raised $5bn via a two-trancher. It raised $2bn via a 4Y non-call 3Y (4NC3) bond at a yield of 0.976%, 30bp inside initial guidance of T+95bp area. It also raised $3bn via a 11Y non-call 10Y (11NC10) bond at a yield of 1.634%, 23bp inside initial guidance of T+140bp area. While the 2025s are callable at 100 on May 24, 2024, the 2032s are callable at 100 on May 24, 2031. The coupons will be fixed until the call dates and then convert into a floater, 70.75bp and 118.7bp over the secured overnight financing rate (SOFR) respectively. Proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes.
Credit Suisse raised €1.5bn via a 5Y bond at a yield of 0.296%, 20-25bp inside initial guidance of MS+75-80bp. It also raised £750mn via a 5Y bond at a yield of 1.231%, 15bp inside initial guidance of UKT+110bp area. The euro bonds received orders above €2.8bn while the GBP bond received orders over £1.6bn. Both bonds are expected to be rated Aa3/A+/A, in line with the issuer rating.
National Australia Bank (NAB) raised $1.25bn via a 10Y tier 2 bond at a yield of 2.99%, 25bp inside initial guidance of T+160bp area. The bonds have expected ratings of Baa1/BBB+/A- with proceeds going towards general corporate purposes.
Nordea Bank raised $1bn via a 3Y bond at a yield of 0.629%, 20bp inside initial guidance of T+50bp area. The bonds have expected ratings of Aa3/AA-/AA with proceeds going towards general corporate purposes.
Shandong Hi-Speed Group raised $200mn via a 3Y bond at a yield of 3.95%, 20bp inside initial guidance of 4.15% area. The bonds have expected ratings of Baa2/BBB+ and received orders over $940mn, 4.7x issue size. The bonds will be issued by Coastal Emerald and guaranteed by China Shandong Hi-Speed Financial Group, which is rated BBB+ (Fitch). The bonds also have a keepwell and liquidity support deed and a deed of equity interest purchase undertaking (EIPU) provided by Shandong Hi-Speed Group. Proceeds will be used for offshore debt refinancing.
Redsun Properties raised $210mn via a 3Y non-call 2Y (3NC2) green bond at a yield of 7.6%, 40bp inside initial guidance of 8% area. The bonds have expected ratings of B3/B+/BB and received orders over $1.8bn, 8.6x issue size. Asia took 99% and EMEA 1%. Fund/ asset managers received 75%, banks and financial institutions 17%, and private banks 8%. Proceeds will be used for offshore debt refinancing and to finance or refinance eligible green projects.
New Bond Pipeline
- Nanning Communications Investment Group hires for $ bond
- Maldives HDC $ sukuk
Rating Changes
- Antero Resources Corp. Upgraded To ‘BB-‘ From ‘B’ By S&POn Improved Financial Measures; Outlook Stable; New Notes Rated
- Moody’s downgrades Ethiopia’s ratings to Caa1; ratings on review for further downgrade
- Moody’s changes Starbucks’ outlook to stable from negative
- Fitch Revises Outlook on Bendigo Bank to Stable; Affirms at ‘A-‘.
- Fitch Revises Outlook on Bank of Queensland’s IDR to Stable; Affirms at ‘A-‘
- Turkey-Based Low-Cost Carrier Pegasus Airlines Rated ‘B’ By S&P; Outlook Stable
- Outlook On Tata Motors And Subsidiary Revised To Stable By S&P On Improving Underlying Demand; ‘B’ Ratings Affirmed
- Fitch Affirms Teck’s IDR at ‘BBB-‘; Outlook revised to Stable
- Fitch Assigns First-Time IDR of ‘BB’ to Square, Inc.
- Square Inc. Assigned ‘BB’ Ratings By S&P; Outlook Stable
Term of the Day
Reverse Morris Trust Transaction
Talking Heads
On Chile bonds steady after govt suffers defeat in constitution vote
Top Gainers & Losers – 18-May-21*
