Lockheed Martin Issued $7.0 Billion Worth of High-Grade Bonds

Lockheed Martin Dominated the High-Grade Bond Market

(Continued from Prior Part)

Deals overview

US corporates were the biggest issuers of high-grade bonds in the week ending November 20. They accounted for 36.7%, or $12.05 billion, of all the issues. Yankee bond issuers were next. They accounted for 27.6% of all the issues. Meanwhile, US financials issued $6.5 billion worth of high-grade bonds. They accounted for 19.8% of the total issuance. The week ending November 20 brought the YTD (year-to-date) issuance of high-grade corporate bonds to $1.4 trillion.

The issuances by high-grade corporates form part of mutual funds like the Janus Flexible Bond Fund – Class A (JDFAX) and the TIAA-CREF Bond Index Fund – Retail Class (TBILX).

Lockheed Martin Corporation’s issue

Lockheed Martin (LMT) is a global security and aerospace company. It issued Baa1/BBB+ rated high-grade bonds worth $7.0 billion through six parts:

• $750 million in 1.9% three-year notes issued at a spread of 72 basis points over similar-maturity Treasuries

• $1.3 billion in 2.50% five-year notes issued at a spread of 92 basis points over similar-maturity Treasuries

• $500 million in 3.10% seven-year long notes issued at a spread of 117 basis points over similar-maturity Treasuries

• $2.0 billion in 3.6% ten-year long notes issued at a spread of 137 basis points over similar-maturity Treasuries

• $500 million in 4.50% 20-year long bonds issued at a spread of 157 basis points over similar-maturity Treasuries

• $2.0 billion in 4.70% 30-year long bonds issued at a spread of 172 basis points over similar-maturity Treasuries

Westpac Banking’s issue

Westpac Banking is an Australian bank. It provides a range of financial products. It issued Aa1/AA- rated high-grade bonds worth $3.8 billion in three parts:

• $1.0 billion in three-year FRNs (floating-rate notes) issued at three-month LIBOR + 74 basis points

• $1.0 billion in 2% three-year notes at a spread of 77 basis points over similar-maturity Treasuries

• $1.8 billion in 2.60% five-year notes at a spread of 97 basis points over similar-maturity Treasuries

Novartis Capital’s issue

Novartis Capital is a subsidiary of Novartis AG (NVS). It issued Aa3/AA- rated high-grade bonds worth $3.0 billion in two parts:

• $1.8 billion in 3.0% ten-year notes at a spread of 85 basis points over similar-maturity Treasuries

• $1.3 billion in 4.0% 30-year bonds at a spread of 105 basis points over similar-maturity Treasuries

Duke Energy’s issue

Duke Energy (DUK) is a sustainable electric and gas company. It issued A3/BBB+ rated high-grade bonds worth $1.0 billion in two parts:

• $400 million in 3.8% ten-year on-tap bonds at a spread of 135 basis points over similar-maturity Treasuries

• $600 million in 4.80% 30-year bonds at a spread of 175 basis points over similar-maturity Treasuries

General Motors Financial Company’s issue

General Motors Financial Company is a wholly owned subsidiary and financial arm of General Motors (GM). It issued high-grade bonds worth $1.0 billion last week. The single-tranche Ba1/BBB- rated five-year issue was raised at a coupon of 3.7%. The high-grade bonds were issued at a spread of 205 basis points over similar-maturity Treasuries.

Continue to Next Part

Browse this series on Market Realist:

• Part 1 - Investment-Grade Bond Yields Fell after the FOMC’s Meeting Minutes

• Part 2 - Investment-Grade Corporate Bond Yields Watch for Policy Action

• Part 3 - Investment-Grade Corporate Bond Issuance Fell Marginally