Fitch downgrades Australia’s big-four banks to single-A
Fitch Ratings (Fitch) downgraded the long-term issuer default ratings of the Australian major banks and their New Zealand subsidiaries on 7 April, to A+ from AA-, and kept all four on negative outlook. The decision reflects the expected effect on core markets and bank operations of measures being implemented by governments to limit the spread of COVID-19.
RBNZ expands LSAP to include semi-government bonds
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) now says it will expand its large-scale asset purchase (LSAP) programme to include NZ$3 billion (US$1.8 billion) of New Zealand Local Government Funding Agency (LGFA) debt. The 7 March announcement comes just a day after the reserve bank said it would make “small scale” purchases of LGFA bonds alongside rather than as part of the LSAP.
TCorp reopens primary market amid COVID-19 crisis
New South Wales Treasury Corporation (TCorp) printed the first benchmark transaction in the Australian public market since the coronavirus pandemic escalated. Deal sources say investor engagement was critical for price discovery in a dislocated and volatile environment.
Australian corporates looking to Europe need familiarity to succeed
Transurban’s euro transaction on 1 April marked the first time an Australian corporate has waded into public debt capital markets since the onset of the COVID-19 crisis. Deal sources say offshore liquidity has been strong but it took an issuer familiar to the market to take advantage.
Negative outlook on Australian banking system based on post-crisis challenges
Moody’s Investors Service has changed its outlook on the Australian banking system to negative. The rating agency says the move is based on the expectation that the banks’ operating environment, capital positions and loan quality will be materially weaker when Australia starts to emerge from the COVID-19 crisis.