(QUIPOR; Caa2/B/B)
IPTs: N/A FV: 10.5%
• Corporacion Quiport, operator of Ecuador’s largest airport, will potentially issue USD, 144a/Reg S, senior secured amortizing notes with a 2037 final maturity (9.7-year WAL). The use of proceeds will be to refinance existing debt, including the USD350mn outstanding 2033 notes.
• Republic of Ecuador (ECUA; Caa3/B-/CCC+) 2035 notes (7.3-year WAL) were last quoted $76.70, 11.7% yield and 2040s (11.7-year WAL) were quoted $68.23, 11.17% yield. QUIPOR 33s had an average life of 4.6 years (June 2030) prior to the call announcement and were yielding about 10%. We observe 40bp of Treasury curve from June 2030 to the estimated average life for the new bonds of August 2035. We add an extra 10bp for credit curve based on other similar curve extensions in the region to arrive at a fair value of 10.5%.
• Based on rating agency reports from Moody’s, S&P and Fitch, the debt service coverage ratio is sufficient to warrant a rating stronger than the sovereign. Fitch noted that the assigned ‘B’ rating would have been higher based on their criteria if not capped at two notches above the sovereign.
• Outstanding Quiport 2033 bonds were first issued in 2019 and didn’t default when the sovereign defaulted in April 2020 which accounts for why QUIPOR bonds have typically traded at a lower yield than the sovereign.
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A bull cycle in USDCAD remains intact and yesterday’s break above the late September’s high, firms the bullish theme. This move higher also maintains the bullish price sequence of higher highs and higher lows. Note too that moving average studies are in a bull-mode position, highlighting a dominant uptrend. Sights are on 1.4019, a Fibonacci retracement point. On the downside, first key support lies at 1.3825, the 50-day EMA.
The AUDUSD uptrend remains intact and recent weakness appears to have been a correction. Support to watch lies at the 50-day EMA, at 0.6558. A clear break of this average would signal scope for a deeper retracement and expose 0.6527 once again, a Fibonacci retracement. For bulls, a stronger reversal higher would refocus attention on 0.6707, the Sep 17 high. Initial resistance to watch is 0.6629, the Sep 30 and Oct 1 high.
September’s coupon auctions were generally solid, with three lines trading through, two coming out on the screws and two tailing slightly.
September Auction Review:
