External support still the talking point in bank ratings review
The nature and likelihood of pre-failure external support for banks has been brought back into focus following an update to the methodology Moody’s Ratings uses to assess the Australian banking sector. Some banks do not believe the new analysis gives sufficient weight to the likelihood of external support before the point of failure – even for entities not deemed systemically important.
More domestic heat on show in HSBC’s first domestic tier-two Kangaroo
HSBC Holdings’ tier-two Kangaroo – priced on 14 March – is the bank’s first subordinated transaction issued in Australian dollars and its first Kangaroo in any format since 2010. With book volume once again impressing – this time for a less-trafficked asset class – deal participants say the trade reflects ongoing strength in the Australian market, including for higher-yielding instruments.
USPP forced to fight for its share but dealers back its relative appeal
The first few months of 2024 demonstrated there is ample appetite for high-quality corporate credit across global markets – including in Australian dollars, where new issuance has reached a record level. Market sources say US private placement investors are as keen as ever to access Australian-origin issuers. The question is whether those issuers will be willing to look beyond the domestic value proposition.
KangaNews Awards 2023: Market People of the Year
KangaNews has announced its Market People of the Year 2023, at the KangaNews Awards Gala Dinner in Sydney on 19 March. These are the individuals who voters in the KangaNews Awards 2023 believe went above and beyond to contribute to the development of the Australian and New Zealand debt markets. There are no restrictions on the firms, role or seniority of winners – voters were simply asked to consider who contributed most to the market in either or both 2023 specifically or across the span of a career.
Financing Australia’s energy transition narrows focus on challenging areas
There is more to Australian energy transition than delivering a big volume of renewables generation capacity. Industry leaders suggest the faster than anticipated exit of coal is changing the focus of those responsible for delivering the transition, to areas that require particular technological or investment attention.