Last week was a busy one in the U.S. bond market with 41 borrowers tapping bond investors for about $34 billion in new issues, according to Reuters' bond calendar. Borrowers came from health care, international financials, industrials, and even a certain company from Omaha. Here's a rundown of a few borrowers and what they plan on doing with all that money.
WellPoint
General Electric's
The Oracle of Omaha was in the house, with Berkshire Hathaway
Rock-Tenn
Flowserve
There were also a number of borrowers based outside the U.S. -- mostly financials -- pulling out their passports for a trip to the U.S. markets. Australia & New Zealand Bank led the way with $3 billion of new borrowing. Others joining the party included Banco de Credito (based in Chile), Bancolombia, Banco Santander Brasil, Bank of Montreal, Korea Development Bank, OCBC Group (based in Singapore), and Rentenbank (from Germany).
Companies don't appear to be having any trouble issuing bonds, especially companies with decent credit ratings. Bond issues are rarely exciting and they don't get the press of a big IPO or acquisition announcement, but it is important for investors to keep tabs on the borrowing habits of companies they own and on what those companies are doing with the money.
- Add WellPoint to My Watchlist.
- Add Rock-Tenn to My Watchlist.
- Add General Electric to My Watchlist.
- Add Flowserve to My Watchlist.
- Add Berkshire Hathaway to My Watchlist.