Just days after a deadly airstrike on Iranian general Qassem Soleimani shook the markets, Israel sold a $3 billion Eurobond to investors who say that, despite early fears of an imminent escalation, regional flare-ups are just an everyday part of investing in the region.
Israel, rated A1/AA-/A+, launched a $1 billion 10-year bond at 68 basis points over Treasuries and a $2 billion 15-year bond at 115bp over on January 8 with orders for the deal topping $20 billion, according to a lead manager.
The US killing of general Qassem Soleimani in Iraq on Friday January 3 marked what commentators said was the most serious flare-up in regional tensions in recent years. Iranian forces retaliated by firing missiles at US troops in Iraq on January 8.
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Koon Chow, UBP Asset Management |
But despite an initial turn to safehaven assets that prompted gold and oil prices to spike, broader financial markets proved resilient, providing a supportive market for Israel to sell its Eurobond.
The sovereign is a regular on the international markets and tends to print deals in January.
“There’s been zero impact on the Israel bond (sale),” says Koon Chow, a macro strategist in emerging markets fixed income at UBP Asset Management.
