(OTTAWA) October 23, 2007 Export Development Canada (EDC) launched a USD $1 billion 5-year Global benchmark bond on October 18, 2007.
EDC has been closely following the markets and decided to launch a global transaction in the 5- year sector. The bonds were issued at a price of 99.47 per cent and will pay a coupon of 4.50 per cent per annum through semi-annual payments. This gives investors a yield of 4.62 per cent (s.a.). Proceeds will finance growth in Canadian trade performance and support exporters and investors doing business worldwide.
The transaction was jointly lead-managed by Citigroup Global Markets Inc., HSBC Bank plc and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated. The balance was syndicated to the following eight co-managers: BNP Paribas, Credit Suisse Securities (Europe) Ltd., J.P. Morgan Securities Ltd., Mizuho International plc, RBC Capital Markets Corporation, TD Securities (USA) LLC., Morgan Stanley & Co. International plc, and Shinkin International Ltd.
The issue was placed among investor types as follows: 41 per cent Central Banks; 30 per cent Pension / Insurance; 27 per cent Fund Managers and 2 per cent Banks / Financial Institutions. The placement was well balanced with distribution as follows: 49 per cent Europe / Middle East; 45 per cent Americas; and 6 per cent Asia.
"I have met with many investors directly to explain the explicit nature of our AAA credit and that our debt securities carry the full faith and credit obligations of the Government of Canada. I was delighted to see their participation in this transaction," said Marie MacDougall, Vice-President and Treasurer at EDC.
EDC's investor relations web site and investor presentation is available at www.edc.ca/invest.
EDC is Canada's export credit agency, offering innovative commercial solutions to help Canadian exporters and investors expand their international business. EDC's knowledge and partnerships are used by 7,000 Canadian companies and their global customers in up to 200 markets worldwide each year. EDC is financially self-sustaining and is a recognized leader in financial reporting, economic analysis and has been named one of Canada's Top 100 Employers for seven consecutive years.
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Media contact: Phil Taylor Public Affairs Export Development Canada (613) 598-2904 ptaylor@edc.ca
