MUFG

Chinese issuers are storming the debt market this week, with Tuesday seeing the Export-Import Bank of China (Chexim), Shanghai Commercial Bank and Oceanwide Holdings Co among the borrowers enticing investors.

China State Construction International Holdings and Shenzhen International Holdings are taking bids for dollar bonds, while Yiwu State-owned Capital Operation Co has mandated banks for a Reg S deal. On the other hand, Lifestyle International Holdings has decided not to pursue its fundraising for the time being.

The Export-Import Bank of China (Chexim) is holding investor calls on Monday for its third offshore transaction of 2017, opting again for a combination of dollars and euros, and possibly its first 30 year dollar bond.

Two companies made their investment grade bow on Thursday as an improvement in sentiment encouraged borrowers to capitalise on decent conditions and wrap up funding in the final weeks of the year.

The supply of hybrid bonds continued this week, with an additional feature — both hybrids sold this week were certified as green bonds.

Investors in green corporate bonds had two very different deals offered to them on Tuesday. Spanish utility Iberdrola sold a green hybrid bond, while Toyota Motor Credit Corp, Toyota’s auto finance subsidiary, offered a long 3.5 year green tranche alongside a seven year non-green tranche.

Demand is so hot in Europe's corporate bond market, that with pricing being driven to ever tighter levels, bankers are beginning to believe the rally is self-sustaining, and would continue even without European Central Bank (ECB) support, writes Nigel Owen.

If the only benchmark euro deal on Thursday had been true to its roots, it would have built a waiting list rather than an order book. But demand still far outstripped supply when Italian luxury sports car manufacturer Ferrari sold its second corporate bond issue.

In October, German chemicals company BASF announced it had agreed to buy parts of Bayer’s seed and non-selective herbicide businesses for €5.9bn, all in cash. On Wednesday it started to fund that with a €3bn triple tranche bond sale.

A £640m ($839m) refinancing for Tata Motors has entered the senior phase of distribution with seven banks running the deal.

The five deals which priced in the euro corporate bond market on Monday offered investors a variety of options, including hybrids and floaters. For duration buyers, French motorway operator Autoroutes Paris-Rhin-Rhône was in market with a January 2033 maturity.

Saudi Electricity Co’s $1.75bn loan has been successfully sold down to four other banks.