Sovereign bonds
Investors dispute claims sovereign downgrades were hasty
Senior EU officials may have criticised the rating agencies for reacting too aggressively to Europe’s fiscal woes, but investors say the reverse is true and the agencies remain behind the curve.
Rating agencies under scrutiny once more
Rapid downgrade of Greece prompts Barnier to call for an investigation into CRA practices.
Russia $5.5bn bond establishes benchmark curve
The Russian Federation returned to the international markets last month for the first time since its 1998 default, potentially paving the way for corporate issuers to follow.
Yields on Africa debt drive new demand from credit investors
Risks to investment include high inflation and corporate governance problems in many African countries.
EXCLUSIVE: Greece debt crisis may break the Eurozone
Fears mount over Greece's ability to reduce fiscal deficit and service debt repayments, despite Eurozone-IMF bailout package.
Inflation issuers face Greek fallout
Issuance of sovereign inflation-linked bonds is expected to reach record highs this year as governments struggle with vast fiscal deficits. With investors shaken by the crisis in Greece, however, some issuers may have to draw on the lessons of the crisis…
Flood of sovereign debt drowns out corporate bonds
Elevated government borrowing will be a fixture of the credit markets for the foreseeable future, as emergency spending and tax shortfalls heighten state financing needs. But could this excess supply of sovereign debt threaten demand for corporate bonds?…
Sovereign default the greatest threat: IMF
Sovereign default risk has soared and is the biggest threat to near-term stability, some segments of banking systems also present dangers
Risk Espana rankings 2010
Changing of the guard
Crumbling relations
The so-called ‘Piigs’ countries – Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece and Spain – have been an ongoing source of worry for the financial markets in 2010. While the prospect of a Eurozone country being allowed to default appears low, insurers are under…
Sovereign CDS: Cat or canary?
Sovereign credit default swaps have become magnets for controversy amid worries about the condition of government finances. Does the market really reflect the probability of default and has too much attention been paid to it?