South Africa

South Africa state-owned utility Eskom’s return to the international bond markets on Thursday was hailed as proof of the faith investors have in Cyril Ramaphosa, the country's president. And it could well mark the beginning of the country’s rehabilitation in the debt capital markets as Eskom is widely thought of as South Africa’s biggest and most public financial problem. Francesca Young reports.

Eskom has released initial price guidance for its $1.5bn dual tranche bond but analysts and syndicate officials seem divided as to whether the premium offered over the sovereign is enough to make it a compelling purchase. But having set modest sizes for the notes, the large majority expect the trade to go well.

Eskom, the South African state-run power company, has said it could print its dollar bond as early as tomorrow and has confirmed that it will sell both standalone and government-guaranteed tranches. Investors have a wide range of views on fair value.

EM bond markets around the world have been forced by difficult conditions to shut down early for summer. The only trade due this week, from South Africa's Eskom, will have to attract investors that are ready to hunker down and wait for September.

Eskom’s return to markets this week is the latest example of how the best bet in the emerging markets is often not on how strong a company is, but how strong its friends are. That is a lesson well remembered for investors, as EM hits a rocky patch.

South African state-run power company Eskom is aiming to print a total of $1.5bn and is expecting to sell both guaranteed and unguaranteed tranches of its bond, according to two sources close to the deal.

Eskom is roadshowing its first international bond in three years this week, but otherwise the primary market is silent.

Eskom has until the end of next week to issue a planned dollar bond before markets shut for the summer, syndicate bankers said on Friday.

South Africa’s troubled state-run power company, Eskom, signed a $2.5bn loan from China Development Bank (CDB) this week, securing almost two-thirds of its funding requirements for the financial year and reviving hope among investors that the country’s state-owned companies have moved one step closer to returning to the capital markets. That wish was swiftly granted by Eskom mandating for its first bond since 2015. Mike Turner and Francesca Young report.

South Africa’s Eskom has signed a $2.5bn loan from China Development Bank, securing almost two thirds of its funding requirements for the financial year amid speculation that the troubled state run power company might buy back its 2021 bonds.

South Africa’s Investec Bank has doubled the size from launch of its two year syndicated term loan to $600m, after a 'significant' oversubscription.

Creditors to retailer Steinhoff have agreed to give the scandal-hit company an extra three weeks to provide a debt restructuring plan, two days after the company said it would not be able to hammer out a deal in time for the initial June 30 deadline.