Panama Issues $1.3 Billion in the International Market

Bonds of $300 million maturing in 2030 and $1,000 million maturing in 2053 were issued at rates of 2.83% and 3.60%, respectively.

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

This is the second issue so far of Laurentino Cortizo's administration, since in mid-July the country issued $2 billion in the global market.

From the MEF statement:

November 19, 2019. The Republic of Panama today entered the international capital markets through the reopening of the Global Bonds maturing in 2030 and 2053, as part of the financing plan for fiscal year 2020, which includes the amortization of the Global Bond 2020 maturing in January.

The amount awarded was US$1.3 billion, with US$300 million issued in Bono 2030 and US$1 billion in Bono 2053.

Thanks to the robustness of the order book, receiving offers over US$3,000 million, the Republic was able to issue Bono 2030 at a spread on the reference instrument of the United States of America (UST) of 105 basic points and Bono 2053 at a margin of 135 basic points.
This allowed for historically low yields of 2.83% by 2030 and 3.60% by 2053.

The positive results in the transaction reflect investor confidence in the macroeconomic fundamentals and credit profile of the Republic of Panama, at a time when economic challenges exist in most Latin American countries.

The Vice President of the Republic, José Gabriel Carrizo, said that the issuance of bonds today, is a sign of the "confidence of capital markets that look positively on the projection and management of the administration of President Laurentino Cortizo. This motivates us to continue working in this direction, being transparent, accountable and being in permanent and close contact with people."

On the other hand, the Minister of Economy and Finance, Hector Alexander, emphasized that he has a specialized team that monitors the capital market and takes advantage of the best time to make bond issues. "Today's issue was successful, the US$1.3 billion was issued at a lower interest rate than that obtained in the historical issuance of US$2 billion last July," he said.

"With this money the country will attend the bonds maturing in January 2020, which total about US$1.2 billion, an operation we call prefunding. At the same time, we are pleased with the operation because the market perceives us as a compliant country," said Minister Alexander.

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