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Argos Issues Convertibles

Colombia’s Grupo Argos has issued COP750bn ($413m) in 3-year convertible bonds in the domestic market. The Colombian conglomerate upsized the sale by COP250bn, after getting COP759bn in demand. The bonds have a 5% coupon and are convertible into preferred shares at
the holder’s discretion during the life of the bond, and mandatorily at maturity. Bancolombia led the deal, rated AA+ on a national scale, with Bolsa y Renta, Corredores Asociados, Correval and Serfinco as bookrunners.

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AMX Debuts Bond Format to Strong Bid

America Movil has raised MXP15bn ($1.15bn) in 2022 bonds, adding to its list of capital markets firsts by using a new structure allowing simultaneous participation from domestic and foreign investors. Demand for the securities, known as Titulos de Credito Extranjeros, topped MXP50bn, with 80% coming from foreign investors and 20% from LatAm – allocated mostly to Mexico accounts with participation from Peru, Chile and Brazil. “Below Mbonos+100bp is tight, but the format is new and attractive and there is huge international investor appetite, as seen through foreign inflows into Mexico and demand for this new deal,” says a Mexico City-based investor. The Mexican telecom priced at 99.989 with a 6.45% coupon to yield 6.45%, or Mbonos+93bp, the tight end of 95bp-area guidance that followed low 100bp-area initial price thoughts. “We like it. This is one of the first global registered securities of its kind. Although we wanted 100bp over the Mbono, we still got a decent pickup and hopefully it will have better liquidity,” adds a US-based investor referring to Europeso bonds that have been issued in the past. Indeed, avoiding the liquidity concerns that can keep investors away from global-local currency sales was the issuer’s main objective. The format also avoids the additional certificates necessary for global depository notes (GDNs). Some looked at Pemex’s 2021 bonds reopened Monday at Mbonos+110bp, and last trading around Mbonos+90bp, as a reference point. However, others following the trade argued that, given the new asset class and differences to Pemex’s GDN’s, the UMS was a more appropriate starting point. Orders coming from 122 accounts made up the largest local currency order book in Mexican history, according to sources familiar with the deal. It is also likely the largest-ever fixed-rate issuance in Mexico’s domestic market, they add. “That is the issuer that can open this market,” says a DCM banker away from the deal, noting Pemex is the only other name able to

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Argentina Gets Emergency Stay

A US appeals court has granted an emergency stay giving Argentina more time to fight an order to pay holdout creditors $1.3bn, according to wire reports late Wednesday. The move reduces fears of a default next month. Last week, a US judge ordered Argentina to deposit the $1.33bn payment by December 15, on the grounds that holdouts should be treated equally to those holders accepting 2005 and 2010 restructuring deals. Analysts fear diverting funds away from the restructured holders would trigger a default, with Fitch lowering Argentina’s rating to CC this week on the possibility. Arguments are to be heard in February.

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Brazilian Parks Debenture

Brazil’s Allpark Estapar Empreendimento Participacoes e Servicos has raised BRL240m ($115m) in domestic bonds, according to Anbima. The parking lot operator’s 2017 bond pays the DI+2.4% and amortizes monthly starting in 2015. Bradesco managed the sale, done under the rule 476 restricted format. Allpark operates the Estapar parking facilities.

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Cencosud Fills Cart with Orders

Order books for Cencosud’s 2022 bond, expected to price today, were heard hitting more than $2bn Wednesday afternoon, as the issuer indicated a UST+375bp-area yield. The Baa3/BBB minus Chilean supermarket operator is expected to raise $1bn, and finished a roadshow Wednesday. JPMorgan, BBVA, BNP Paribas, Itau, Mitsubishi-UFJ, Mizuho, and Santander are managing the sale, done to raise funds for the recent $2.6bn purchase of Carrefour’s Colombian operations. Cencosud is also readying a $1.5bn equity capital increase to cover the rest of the takeout, expected in December or January. Its last dollar bond was its cross-border debut in January 2011, raising $750m in 2021 notes.

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CFR Talks Price

Chile’s CFR Pharmaceuticals is heard aiming for a yield in the neighborhood of 5.50%-5.75% for a $300m 2022 NC5 bond, with pricing expected as soon as today. Investor interest was heard reaching $1bn as of Wednesday. JPMorgan and Deutsche Bank are managing the BBB minus/BB+ deal. Fresh off of its domestic DCM debut, the pharmaceutical company now turns abroad, raising funds for the $562m acquisition of Colombia’s Laboratorio Franco Colombiano (Lafrancol) agreed in August. CFR raised UF3m ($142m) through a domestic 2033 bond earlier this month.

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Corpbanca Issues Domestic Subordinated Bonds

Corpbanca has issued UF6.63m ($315m) in subordinated bonds in Chile’s local market. It priced a UF1.13m 4.00% coupon 24-year tranche at a 4.28% yield, and a UF5.5m 4.00% coupon 27-year tranche at a yield of 4.48%, according to industry sources. In October, it was heard planning a subordinated bond sale in the international markets, as part of the funding for its $1.28bn acquisition of Helm Bank. Chile’s longer tenors and the ability to avoid international funding costs were among the reasons for choosing the Chilean market for its issuance, says a person familiar with the company’s plans. Corpbanca managed the deal itself.

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DF Clinches Local Debt

The government of Mexico’s Distrito Federal has issued MXP2.5bn ($193m) in the domestic bond market. The 2027 bonds priced at 6.85%, or Mbonos+85bp, in line with expectations. The deal was done slightly differently to most, according to a source familiar with the sale, with books closing once the MXP2.5bn amount was reached, though the short time to do so implied heavy demand. Guaranteed by the federal government, the bond is rated AAA on a national scale. Banorte-Ixe and Santander managed the transaction. In December of last year, DF sold MXP1.77bn in 5-year bonds at TIIE+30bp.

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El Salvador Lands Below 6%

El Salvador has priced a long-awaited $800m bond, getting robust demand despite tightening below 6%. Demand for the new 2025 topped $5bn, according to investors following the sale. Starting at low-to-mid 6%-area indications, the sovereign tightened to 5.875%, pricing at 99.984 with a 5.875% coupon to yield 5.875%. The bonds were trading up 0.50-0.75 points in the grey, according to a trader. The issue was seen conceding 5bp-10bp versus the issuer’s curve. “El Salvador looks fair and not relatively cheap to initial price talk. But demand is clearly there for yield. Assuming some of this will go to local pension funds means that demand outstrips supply,” says a New York-based portfolio manager following the trade. At least $400m of the proceeds will be used to retire short-term Letes, with the remainder to be used to change the use of resources or to cover the fiscal deficit. Citi and Deutsche Bank managed the Ba2/BB minus deal. The continued issuance of Letes – at rates above 5% for 6-month paper – made little sense, Nomura says, with the international markets offering the government cheaper rates. The issuance will reduce El Salvador’s short-term debt, Nomura adds, lowering liquidity risk until the February 2014 presidential election and allowing the new administration to strengthen the country’s fiscal outlook.

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Emgesa Plots COP Issue

Emgesa will look to issue COP350bn ($192m), expected on December 12, and could upsize that amount to COP500bn, says a source familiar with the Colombian generation company’s plans. It can choose from 10 and 12-year maturities, at a fixed rate or linked to inflation. The proceeds will be used to repay debt and also to help finance the El Quimbo hydroelectric project in southwestern-central Colombia. Corredores Asociados, Correval, Serfinco and BBVA are managing the sale. Its bond program is rated AAA on a national scale.

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