Because of its financial and competitive strength, the rating agency Fitch Ratings confirmed that the risk rating as an issuer of long-term debt is "A", with a stable outlook.
The ratings reflect an underlying asset that is critical not only for Panama, but also for international trade, as evidenced by its stable volume performance, solid competitive position and well-diversified cargo mix, the ratings company explained.
The Ministry of Finance Awarded Treasury Bonds in local currency for $12 million, at a cut-off rate of 6.45% and maturing in November 2039.
The global amount awarded of Treasury Bonds of the Republic of Guatemala up to date, including those made through public biddings and auctions ascended to Q.18,179.65 million ($2.360 million), corresponding to Fiscal Year 2019, of which Q.19.01 million ($2.46 million correspond to the awards of Treasury Bonds for small investors), informed an official source.
Although the goal for this year was to issue $100 million in debt bonds, during the first quarter the Nicaraguan government only awarded $1.1 million, doubting the level of investor confidence.
According to the "Public Debt Report, First Quarter 2019", prepared by the Central Bank of Nicaragua, from January to March regarding Investment Securities in dollars, 1.03 million was issued at an average rate of 5.31% and an average term of 7 months.
The Ministry of Finance of Guatemala awarded Treasury Bonds in local currency for the equivalent amount of $19 million, at a cut-off rate of 6.46% and maturing in November 2039.
The global amount awarded of Treasury Bonds of the Republic of Guatemala up to date, including the awards made through public tenders and auctions ascended to Q.18,083.29 million ($2.348 million), corresponding to Fiscal Year 2019, informed the government.
At the end of June 2019, Nicaragua's public external debt reached $6.057 million, an increase of $107 million over December 2018.
From the Central Bank of Nicaragua statement:
According to official statistics, the balance of public external debt up to June 30, 2019 was of 6,057.0 million dollars, which represented a 46.0-million-dollar increase regarding the balance registered in the previous month (US$6,011.0 million).
After the country issued $1.097 million in Eurobonds for a 30-year term, Moody's gave them a "B3" rating, while Fitch Ratings assigned them a "B".
Fitch Ratings has assigned a 'B-' rating to El Salvador's $1.097 million notes due January 2050. The notes have a coupon of 7.1246%, the agency said.
The Fitch statement dated July 31 adds that "... The proceeds from the issue will be used in accordance with local laws for general budgetary purposes, including the redemption of bonds maturing this year. The rating of the bonds is aligned with El Salvador's long-term foreign currency issuer default rating (IDR) of 'B-' with a stable outlook."
Standard & Poor's explained that continuity in economic and investment policy next year, and overall political stability, support the decision to keep the rating at BB- with a stable outlook.
We could raise the ratings next year if a faster and more effective implementation of the expected energy reform strengthens Honduras' economic growth and fiscal flexibility above our expectations, the risk qualifier explained.
The issue was announced at an initial rate of 7.5% and a 30-year term, and $1.097 million was issued, with total demand five times greater than the amount of the issue.
The issue was for a 30-year term, maturing in 2050 and with a 7.1246% coupon, informed the Central Reserve Bank (BCR).
Authorities from both countries agreed to work on the unification of their stock markets, starting with the issuance of a quota of Guatemalan subsidized debt directed to Salvadoran investors.
Representatives of the Guatemalan Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Finance of El Salvador informed that before the end of this fiscal year, the Guatemalan subsidized debt will be approximately $13 million.
In Costa Rica, it is expected that the downward trend that has been showing the exchange rate since February will intensify in the coming months, when the $3.580 million begins to enter as a result of the issuance of Eurobonds and loans granted by external entities.
According to data from the Central Bank of Costa Rica (BCCR), between the beginning of February and July 30 of this year, there has been a fall of up to 44 colones per dollar, reporting a drop in the average rate in the wholesale market Monex from ¢613.87 to ¢570.13.
The aim of the government's debt plan for the second half of the year is to capture up to $2.43 billion in the local market, in addition to the $1.5 billion expected to be placed in the international market.
In its strategy for the coming months, the Government will manage liabilities (swaps and reverse auctions) for the series maturing in both colones and dollars.
Institutional problems and lower levels of economic growth compared to other countries with the same risk rating, could cause in the future a degradation of Guatemala's debt rating.
Although the Legislative Assembly approved the issuance of $1.5 billion of debt in the international market, Fitch Ratings believes that in the coming years there could be renewed uncertainty about the sources of financing for the Costa Rican government.
For the business sector, the issuance of $2 billion in bonds by the government is positive, since "it allowed the country to quote, for the first time in history, a bond for more than 20 years with an interest rate below 4%.
On July 17, the Panamanian government was able to issue bonds for $1.25 billion with a 3.160% interest rate and maturity in 10 years (2030), and others for $750 million with a 3.870% rate and maturity in 40 years (2060).
The Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica approved in second debate the bill that authorizes the government to issue up to $1.5 billion in bonds in the international market.
The Ministry of Finance (MH) reported that with the approval of Bill No. 21.201, which was made on July 16 as planned, the Executive is authorized to administer, issue and manage financing operations in the international market up to an amount of $1.5 billion (one thousand five hundred million U.S. dollars), during the following year after the law was approved.