The KangaNews-Westpac Corporate Debt Summit debuted in 2011, with a relatively small audience and a market that could not yet take consistent supply of corporate bonds for granted. In the decade since, the event and the market have grown and diversified. By 2019 – the last year before COVID-19 put the in-person event on hiatus – registrations had more than trebled, to nearly 600, and the event’s agenda covered not just corporate debt but a raft of issues relevant to the economic and business environment.

Investors globally are increasingly demanding their allocations align with sustainability principles. As capital markets move rapidly to cater to this appetite, KangaNews and BNP Paribas brought together Australian corporate issuers to discuss their interaction with global debt markets.

Investment-grade corporate Australia has weathered the COVID-19 crisis better than could have been expected as the pandemic accelerated in March and April 2020, according to participants at a Fitch Ratings-KangaNews roundtable at the end of the year. A supportive local debt market was just one of the factors behind this resilience.

On 25 September, Downer Group Finance (Downer) (BBB by Fitch) launched an increase to its April 2026 domestic bond. The deal is being marketed at 170 basis points area over semi-quarterly swap and is expected to price on the day after launch. Westpac Institutional Bank is leading.

On 23 Septmber, Downer Group Finance (Downer) (BBB by Fitch) mandated Westpac Institutional Bank for a potential tap of its April 2026 domestic line.

Downer Group Finance (Downer) priced its first Australian dollar deal since 2015 on 15 April. Issuer and leads say significant developments in Downer’s business composition opened the deal up to a broader suite of investors, while prevailing market sentiment induced a rapid book build and tightened pricing.

On 15 April, Downer Group Finance (Downer) (BBB by Fitch) launched a new, seven-year, minimum A$200 million (US$143.4 million) domestic transaction. The forthcoming deal has indicative price guidance of 195-200 basis points area over semi-quarterly swap. Pricing is expected on or before 16 April, according to joint lead managers Mizuho Securities, National Australia Bank and Westpac Institutional Bank.