Brazil

A proposed debut bond from a Brazilian oil company that ratings agencies said had “high operating risk” and a “small” and concentrated asset base proved to be one step too far for the rampant EM bond market that is showing signs of nearing its peak.

Latin American business services company Atento began investor calls on Friday ahead of a proposed senior secured benchmark bond as it looks to refinance a $500m 2022 maturity.

Brazilian foods company BRF fetched a 10 times oversubscribed order book on its way to a 30-year benchmark on Wednesday as appetite for Latin American risk remains irrepressible.

South America’s largest corn-based ethanol producer, FS Agrisolutions Indústria de Biocombustíveis (FS), will look to become the latest Latin American borrower to sell a sustainability-themed bond as it proposes a green format for its international market debut.

Brazilian food company BRF is planning a new dollar bond to finance a buy-back of euro and dollar notes maturing between 2022 and 2026 as investors say the protein sector’s strong performance this year means conditions are ideal for liability management trades.

Last week’s flurry of new deals from Latin America were performing well on Friday as cash continues to flow into EM bond funds. The region looks well placed for a busy September of primary market activity, say bankers.

It is rare for one issuer to recognise another's bond issue, but Enel's chief financial officer went to the trouble on Friday of issuing a statement to commend the previous day's sustainability-linked bond issue by Suzano, the Brazilian pulp and paper company which is unaffiliated with Enel.

Emerging markets issuers flocked to bond markets this week with impressive results, despite severe weaknesses in equity and oil markets. A 20bp negative concession for Brazil’s Suzano on Thursday, on the first sustainability-linked bond ever from an EM issuer, wrapped a hectic week as investors dived into the higher yielding asset classes. Mariam Meskin and Oliver West report.

Brazil’s largest independent oil and gas company, Petro Rio, will begin investor calls on Thursday ahead of a proposed debut bond issue that bankers say will test the strength of the market like no other Latin American issuer this month.

Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer began investor calls on Tuesday as it prepares its first new issue since several ratings downgrades earlier in the year.

The sustainability-linked bond market is about to get its second deal. Suzano, the Brazilian pulp and paper company, is preparing to bring a deal linked to its carbon emissions intensity, as foreshadowed by GlobalCapital in February.

Brazilian bank Itaú has hired from the Latin American debt capital markets team of a rival bank to replace its outgoing debt syndicate head.