• Jan 06, 2025

US companies rush to bond market in fundraising flurry

U.S. companies rushed to the corporate bond markets on Monday as what is usually a seasonal fund-raising spree over the first few days of a new year gained extra momentum to get ahead of any further rise in Treasury yields - which would increase funding costs - after jobs data on Friday. Some 22 companies were offering new bonds in the U.S. investment-grade bond market on Monday, taking the tally of new borrowers to 34 in the first few days of 2025. "With spreads nearing historic levels and the market ostensibly giving up on the hope of significantly lower risk-free rates, now looks like an opportune time for corporates to fund themselves," said Connor Fitzgerald, fixed income portfolio manager at Wellington Management.