Tag: midswap

18 May 2017 – Expansión

Debt issues in Spain, which have been the focus of the financial sector in recent times, have now reached Merlin Properties. The Socimi has placed debt amounting to €600 million, with a term of eight years (maturing in May 2025) at a price of 99.417% of the nominal value and with an annual coupon of 1.75% (125 basis points above midswap). The subscription and disbursement of the issue will take place on 26 May 2017.

Merlin has received requests amounting to €1,200 million for the issue, i.e. double the amount that will be awarded. This level of demand has allowed it to lower the cost of the operation.

Initially, the Socimi proposed a price of 135 basis points above the reference index for fixed income or midswap issues. But, the strength of demand reduced that premium to 125 points.

To carry out the operation, Merlin has engaged the services of Crédit Agricole, Nabca IMI, Goldman Sachs, ING and JPMorgan.

At the Socimi’s General Shareholders’ Meeting three weeks ago, the CEO, Ismael Clemente (pictured above), confirmed plans to resort to the debt markets, although at the time he was unsure as to whether it would do so through convertible debt or senior debt issues, or by refinancing the bank debt.

The last few weeks have reinforced the truce in the debt market in Europe, after Emmanuel Macron secured victory over Marine Le Pen in the French elections.

Original story: Expansión

Translation: Carmel Drake