Banks and asset managers are seizing on the defining investment trend of the past decade – the rise of exchange-traded funds – to bring complex derivatives strategies to the masses.

The rise in geopolitical tensions has given a boost to the European Union’s attempt to revive capital markets union and the wider single market, and policymakers and bankers have called for bolder action in key areas such as securitisation.

French government bonds have rallied sharply in the wake of Paris finally passing a budget to break months of political deadlock.

Bank of America is awarding rank and file employees US$1bn in common stock – nearly 19m shares.

The first new international capital markets issuance to come out of Ukraine since Russia’s full invasion of the country almost four years ago has been hailed as a breakthrough.

The Republic of the Philippines sold a US$2.75bn three-part bond issue on Tuesday that included a 25-year tenor, despite geopolitical noise and a volatile credit market. 

French online sports betting company Betclic priced a debut bond deal on Tuesday, which alongside €2.14bn-equivalent term loan B, will go towards funding owner Banijay's acquisition of a majority stake in another gambling company, Tipico. 

ReNew Energy Global became the first issuer to issue bonds through India's offshore financial hub, in a tax-saving move that could pave the way for others to follow.

US commercial mortgage bond supply restarted in the week of January 19 as market participants returned from the annual gathering sponsored by the CRE Finance Council that took place the week before.

Blackstone brought the first European CMBS of the year on Wednesday, pricing the logistics-backed securitisation at an attractive spread that underscores how strong investor appetite has continued from last year's rebound in issuance.

Sotheby's Financial Services is in the market with a US$600m securitisation backed by personal loans on fine art and collectibles after pioneering this type of offering with a first-of-its-kind financing in 2024.

Westpac reopened the Australian structured finance market on Wednesday with the upsized A$2bn (US$1.34bn) self-led, funding-only prime RMBS, WST 2026-1.

Integrating carbon credits into sovereign debt could create new "debt-for-carbon" swaps that would help to ease debt pressure and mobilise climate finance for developing countries without relying on concessional capital, according to a discussion paper.

European sustainable bond issuance is expected to rebound this year, driven by green bonds due to rising energy security concerns and major infrastructure investments as the continent reduces its reliance on energy imports and strengthens domestic supply, according to a report by SEB. 

Emerging markets private credit investor ILX expects new data this year to spur the emergence of development finance as an asset class.

Leading European sustainable investor Mirova is aiming to nearly double its assets under management to €60bn by 2030 after finalising a merger that puts the firm at the forefront of responsible thematic investment.

Europe’s IPO market reopened with a bang on Friday with shares in ammunition and tank maker Czechoslovak Group opening up 28% in Amsterdam following its €3.3bn primary and secondary deal.

State-owned Bharat Coking Coal's stellar debut has given a boost to parent Coal India's plan to list all its subsidiaries by 2030.

Clear Street filed documents on Tuesday for a Nasdaq IPO having only completed its series C funding round in December.

York Space Systems has initiated the second stage of a two-part plan to go public with the launch of an all-primary NYSE IPO targeting up to US$544m of proceeds.

Dutch firm Flora Food Group is working to make its capital structure more palatable to investors, utilising a private bond to help it cut back on its term loan debt.

Sponsors are increasingly attempting to introduce anti-co-operation clauses into European direct lending documentation, although so far lenders have firmly resisted the assault.

Bank borrowers from around the world are tapping asset-hungry lenders in the Asian loan market, attracted by the tight cost of funding on offer, continuing a trend that began last year and drove lending to the banking sector to the highest level for nearly a decade.