S&P rose 1.2% yesterday and Nasdaq was up 0.7%, slightly recovering losses in the prior few days. US 10Y yields had risen ~10bp to 1.70% on Wednesday in the aftermath of the inflation report, but cooled-off yesterday to 1.66%. Headline and Core CPI rose by 4.2% and 3% YoY, significantly above forecasts even after accounting for base effects causing a rout in equities. Despite the rise in inflation, Fed’s Vice-Chair Richard Clarida played down fears citing transitory factors. Oil prices dropped 3% as the US pipeline reopened after the cyber attack after paying a $5mn ransom to the hackers. US IG CDS spreads tightened 1.5bp and HY spreads tightened 6.6bp. EU main and crossover spreads tightened 0.4bp and 1.8bp. Asian equity indices have started positive, up over 1% while Asia ex-Japan CDS spreads are 2.8bp wider.
New Bond Issues
China Railway Construction raised $662mn via a dual-currency bonds. It raised $300mn via 5Y tranche at a yield of 1.9% or T+105bp, 50p inside the initial guidance of T+155 area. It also raised EUR 300mn ($362mn) via 5Y bonds at a yield of 0.919% or MS+115bp, 40bp inside the initial guidance of M+155 area. The bonds have an expected rating of A-. The $ bonds received orders over $1bn, 3.3x issue size, and the the EUR bonds received final orders over EUR 1bn ($1.2bn), 3.3x issue size. Asia took 100% of $ bonds and 86% of EUR bonds. Europe took the remaining EUR bonds. Banks and financial institutions took 89% of the dollar bonds and 78% of the EUR bonds. Fund/Asset managers took 8% and 13% of the USD and EUR bonds respectively with the remaining going to central banks, private banks, insurance and corporates. CRCC Hean will issuer and Hong Kong and Shanghai-listed parent company the guarantor. Proceeds will be used for debt repayment and for overseas construction projects.
Danske Bank raised $750mn via a Perpetual non-call 5.5Y (PerpNC5.5) AT1 bond at a yield of 4.375%, ~31.25bp inside initial guidance of 4.625%-4.75% area. The bonds have expected ratings of BB+/BBB- and received orders over $1.8bn, 2.4x issue size. The bonds are callable at par from 18 May 2026 to 18 November 2026, and on any interest payment date thereafter. If the bonds are not called during the initial call period, the coupon resets to the prevailing 5Y US Treasury yield + 338.7bp (initial margin).
Wells Fargo raised $1bn via a 4Y non-call 3Y (4NC3) bond at a yield of 0.805%, ~25.5bp inside initial guidance of T+70/75bp area. The SEC registered bonds have expected ratings of A2/BBB+. Proceeds will be used for inclusive communities and climate projects. The bonds have a make whole call (MWC) beginning 26 May 2022 until 18 May 2024 and a par call 1 year prior to maturity (19 May 2024) and 1 month prior to maturity (17 Apr 2025).
JPMorgan raised $1.85bn via a Perpetual non-call 5Y (PerpNC5) instrument at a yield of 4.625%, 12.5bp inside initial guidance of 4.75% area. The deal was upsized from $500mn initially and the amount issued is to the tune of 74mn depositary shares. The instrument has an optional redemption on any dividend payment date on or after June 1, 2026, or at any time following a “capital treatment event” and are callable at a price of $25. The instrument is structured as depositary shares each representing 1/400th interest in a share of JPMorgan’s non-cumulative preferred stock, Series LL. Proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes.
New Bond Pipeline
- Shandong Hi-Speed Group hires for $ bond
Rating Changes
- Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. Upgraded To ‘BB-‘ By S&P On Acquisition Of Cooper, Ratings Off CreditWatch Positive; New Debt Rated
- Tenneco Inc. Upgraded To ‘B+’ By S&P On Improving Operating Performance And Credit Metrics; Outlook Stable
- ODEBRECHT DRILLING NORBE VIII/IX LTD Debt Rating Raised To ‘B’ From ‘B-‘ By S&P On Robust Performance, Outlook Stable
- Fitch Upgrades EDP to ‘BBB’; Outlook Stable
- Fitch Upgrades CCB Asia’s Viability Rating to ‘bbb+’; Affirms IDR at ‘A’; Outlook Stable
- Credito Real Downgraded To ‘BB-‘ From ‘BB’ By S&P On Lower Capitalization And Weaker Asset Quality Metrics, Outlook Stable
- Fitch Affirms Braskem’s IDR at ‘BB+’; Outlook Revised to Positive
- Braskem Idesa Outlook Negative By S&P On Ongoing Concerns Over Ethane Supply Contract; ‘B’ Ratings Affirmed And Off CreditWatch
- Fitch Affirms America Movil at ‘A-‘; Outlook Revised to Positive
- Fitch Affirms Citigroup at ‘A’/’F1’; Outlook Revised to Stable
- Fitch Revises Outlook on Jaguar Land Rover Automotive to Stable; Affirms at ‘B’; Withdraws Ratings
- Moody’s changes Jaguar Land Rover Automotive Plc’s outlook to stable from negative; affirms ratings
- Fitch Revises Outlook on Skyfame to Negative; Affirms at ‘B-‘
- Moody’s changes Rite Aid’s outlook to positive; affirms Caa1 CFR
- Moody’s affirms YPFEE ‘s Caa3 ratings; changes outlook to stable
- Moody’s changes Darden’s outlook to positive; affirms Baa3 unsecured rating
- Moody’s changes Energy Transfer’s outlook to stable
- Moody’s changes Mapletree Commercial Trust’s outlook to stable from negative; affirms Baa1 ratings
- MRC Global (US) Inc. Outlook Revised To Stable From Negative By S&P; ‘B-‘ Rating Affirmed
Term of the Day
Loan Loss Provisions
Talking Heads
On Chinese companies’ dollar bonds hit as Beijing tightens credit
Jimmy Lim, chief executive of Modular Asset Management
“What’s going to happen onshore will clearly drive what’s going to happen offshore,” said Lee. In the case of China Fortune, he added, “even the onshore guys are struggling to figure out what’s going on”. China “cannot just squeeze the offshore guys, because a lot of China Inc still needs offshore funding as well”.
Top Gainers & Losers – 14-May-21*
