Brazil

Brazilian steel producer Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional (CSN) took advantage of a vacant Latin American primary market to add $300m to its 2028s on Tuesday, as bankers say several of the region’s big names are still preparing to take advantage of strong conditions after the US elections.

Two corporate deals on Monday and a tiny tap from a Paraguayan beef exporter on Wednesday were all investors had to choose from in Latin American primary bond markets this week as issuance remains light ahead of the US elections next month.

Brazilian oil company Petrobras this week announced it will spend $1.95bn on repurchasing existing bonds via a tender offer, as the rapid pace of its reduction continues.

Brazilian oil company Petrobras will continue the rapid reduction of its debt burden after completing a tender offer under which it will spend $1.95bn on repurchasing existing bonds.

Brazilian foods company BRF increased the size of a tap of its recently issued 2050 bonds on Monday, issuing at exactly the same reoffer level as a month ago.

Latin America’s bond bankers said that the primary markets remain open, but investors will see limited new paper after Petrobras sold its smallest bond in several years this week.

Brazilian state-owned oil company Petrobras returned to bond markets on Tuesday as part of a debt reducing liability management exercise as the issuer continues to lower its bond outstandings.

Business services company Atento became the fourth Latin American credit in recent weeks to cancel borrowing plans on Friday, blaming “unfavourable” market conditions as it postponed a proposed liability management exercise.

Bond buyers welcomed Brazilian retailer Lojas Americanas to international markets for the first time on Tuesday — showing that there is still strong appetite for the right debut issuers despite two fellow Brazilian companies cancelling first-time deals in recent weeks.

After a second Latin American borrower in a week pulled plans to issue a bond, bankers are suddenly concerned that the region’s idyllic issuance conditions may be over. But with two infrequent corporates, a Colombian bank and a debut high yield name preparing deals, the extent of the deterioration should be clear soon.

FS Agrisolutions Indústria de Biocombustíveis, South America’s largest corn-based ethanol producer, delayed pricing its debut dollar bond on Wednesday as emerging market credits endured a volatile day.

Brazilian retail group Lojas Americanas began calls with investors on Wednesday as it looks to sell a benchmark dollar bond with an intermediate maturity.