It’s all in the price

After more than a decade of trying, convertible bonds have emerged as a genuine asset class in Europe. At the same time, a once-vibrant Asian market is in reverse. But in both markets there is evidence that participants are struggling to keep up with the sophistication of the product. An overly simplistic approach can be disastrous. By James Rutter.

Zapped by negative gamma in Japan

Shareholder value is a convertible issue

The launch of the first convertible bond to be denominated in euros coincided with Europe’s spring fashion shows. Impeccable timing, given that both the currency and the product are definitely en vogue in the capital markets this season. The reason is simple: “If both [equity and debt] markets are doing well you get supercharged returns on convertibles,” says Simon McGuire, managing director and global head of equity-linked origination at SBC Warburg Dillon Read.

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