Data Analyst Katrin Kostadinova highlights the most significant financial and corporate legal deals announced or closed in the last week
Americas
It has been another strong week in the debt capital markets for the Americas.
In the United States, Oracle has issued $10 billion of senior notes. The bonds were issued with six different coupon rates. Proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes, including debt repayment and stock repurchases.
Meanwhile, in Argentina the government has undertaken a €2.75 billion sovereign bond issue, which follows some recent issues in January, April, June and July 2016.
Asia-Pacific
There was a $1 billion investment by Bain Capital in Axis Bank that took place this week in India. Axis Bank is aiming to raise $1.8 billion from investors, which – once achieved – will be the largest private equity investment in India.
Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA)
There were a variety of deals happening in the EMEA region this week.
Starting with Germany, Cerberus took over a 3% stake in Deutsche Bank, having also recently acquired a 5% stake in Commerzbank. The private equity house is now the fourth largest shareholder of Deutsche Bank and the second largest in Commerzbank.
Gasunie Deutschland Transport Services, Fluxys Deutschland, ONTRAS Gastransport and GASCADE Gastransport have agreed on an ownership agreement for the European Gas Pipeline Link (EUGAL) pipeline project in Germany. The first three will each hold 16.5%, while GASCADE will continue owning 50.5% of the project. The project is the link between the Russian and the German gas pipeline networks.
Moving to the aviation sector, Emirates has acquired 40 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners for $15.1 billion in the United Arab Emirates. Some of the aircrafts will be used as replacements, the others will open new destinations possibilities.
Another interesting aviation deal has taken place this week but this time in Bahrain - Gulf Air has acquired 29 Airbus aircrafts for $1.9 billion. The company has also bought engines for almost 30 Airbus aircraft. Deals are part of Gulf Air’s growth strategies.
Also in transportation, in the UK Europcar Drive has secured a €1.04 billion bridge loan and €500 million in senior secured debt, which are to be used for the proposed acquisition of Goldcar. The company has also issued €600 million 4.125% senior notes that will be secured in a deposit until after the acquisition of Goldcar.
Elsewhere, FirstRand, the largest financial company in South Africa, has made a £1.1 billion bid for the Aldermore Group. The target company provides variety of financial services, including asset and invoice finance, mortgages and deposits.
Finally in Russia, Gazprombank, the third largest bank in the country, has acquired the Telia Company stake in MegaFon for R60.4 billion. This is part of Telia’s sale of its remaining stake in MegaFon.