Lebanon’s BLOM Bond Index (BBI) compiled by BLOMInvest Bank recorded a weekly increase by 2.30% in the week ending October 10, 2019, to settle at 76.04 points. Meanwhile, JP Morgan Emerging Markets’ Bond Index (EMBI) witnessed an uptick of 0.06% to close the week at 865.48 points.
According to BLOMInvest Bank, the demand on the 5 year (5Y) and 10Y Lebanese Eurobonds rose over the past week, as their respective yields retreated from 19.30% and 14.31%, to 18.65% and 13.80%, respectively. As for the 5Y CDS, it recorded a decline from 1,268 basis point by October 8, 2019 to 1,242 basis point by October 10, 2019. In fact, the Lebanese Eurobond Market’s performance was mainly affected by the optimistic results of Prime Minister Saad Hariri ‘s visit to the UAE this week. In details, the UAE lifted its ban on its citizens traveling to Lebanon and promised investments and financial assistance. Moreover, the Lebansese Cabinet is working on endorsing the 2020 budget by Oct. 22 which is supposed to include a series of reforms and austerity measures.
In the US, Treasury yields witnessed an increase and investors appetite for risky assets rose following the US-China positive trade developments. In fact, despite last week US weak economic data, the equity market advanced on Thursday after President Donald Trump said he will meet with Chinese Vice Premier Liu He on Friday, raising hope the two countries could make progress on the trade front.. As such, the yields on 5Y and 10Y US treasuries surged from 1.34% and 1.54% to 1.48% and 1.67%, respectively.
As such, the 5Y and 10Y spread between the yield on Lebanese Eurobonds and their US comparables narrowed from last week’s 1796 and 1277 bps, to 1717 and 1213 bps this week.
5 Year Credit Default Swaps, Mid-Prices (in basis points)
| 10/10/2019 | 03/10/2019 | |
| Lebanon | 1,242 | 1,268 |
| KSA | 77 | 77 |
| Dubai | 132 | 133 |
| Brazil | 138 | 139 |
| Turkey | 401 | 369 |
Weekly Change of Lebanese Eurobonds Prices
| Prices | Weekly | Yields | Weekly | ||||
| Maturity | Coupon in % | 10/10/2019 | 03/10/2019 | Change | 10/10/2019 | 03/10/2019 | Change bps |
| 12/04/2021 | 8.25 | 85.62 | 84.34 | 1.51% | 19.75% | 20.74% | -98 |
| 04/10/2022 | 6.1 | 71.75 | 70.23 | 2.17% | 18.92% | 19.70% | -78 |
| 27/01/2023 | 6 | 70.63 | 69.17 | 2.11% | 18.23% | 18.92% | -70 |
| 22/04/2024 | 6.65 | 68.63 | 67.18 | 2.15% | 16.81% | 17.37% | -56 |
| 04/11/2024 | 6.25 | 67.64 | 66.41 | 1.85% | 15.75% | 16.19% | -43 |
| 03/12/2024 | 7.00 | 68.33 | 67.10 | 1.83% | 16.32% | 16.76% | -43 |
| 26/02/2025 | 6.20 | 67.42 | 66.07 | 2.04% | 15.30% | 15.76% | -46 |
| 12/06/2025 | 6.25 | 67.79 | 66.43 | 2.05% | 14.84% | 15.28% | -44 |
| 28/11/2026 | 6.60 | 66.21 | 64.58 | 2.52% | 14.31% | 14.78% | -47 |
| 23/03/2027 | 6.85 | 66.42 | 64.33 | 3.24% | 14.32% | 14.93% | -60 |
| 29/11/2027 | 6.75 | 66.50 | 64.38 | 3.31% | 13.70% | 14.28% | -58 |
| 03/11/2028 | 6.65 | 66.33 | 64.46 | 2.91% | 13.10% | 13.57% | -47 |
| 26/02/2030 | 6.65 | 66.42 | 64.83 | 2.44% | 12.51% | 12.88% | -36 |
| 22/04/2031 | 7.00 | 66.05 | 64.51 | 2.40% | 12.68% | 13.02% | -34 |
| 23/03/2032 | 7.00 | 66.46 | 64.98 | 2.28% | 12.34% | 12.66% | -32 |
| 02/11/2035 | 7.05 | 66.83 | 65.05 | 2.75% | 11.66% | 12.00% | -34 |
| 23/03/2037 | 7.25 | 66.83 | 65.23 | 2.46% | 11.77% | 12.07% | -30 |