Primary bond sales at record $35-billion in H1, up 18.2%

The increase was despite a slump of 31% in the April-June quarter compared to the preceding first quarter : Thomson Reuters

Primary bond offerings by domestic corporates have touched a record high of $34.9 billion in the first half of the year.

"Primary bond offerings from domestic issuers witnessed the best semi-annual volume on record during the first half of 2013 as total proceeds raised reached $34.9 billion, an 18.2% increase from the first half of 2012 of $29.5 billion," according to the data compiled by Thomson Reuters.

The increase was despite a slump of 31% in the April-June quarter compared to the preceding first quarter, it said.

In the overall pie of $34.9 billion, companies from the financial sector topped the chart with $21.9 billion or 62.7% of the proceeds raised, it said in a statement.

This was followed by energy and power (16.6%) and industrials (6%). Tapping the offshore US Dollar bond market also hit a record high with offerings of $9.7 billion in the first half of the year, as against the $8.1 billion observed in the entire 12-month period in 2012.

On the rupee-denominated bond issuance front, there was a 3.1% increase to Rs 1,451.7 billion till end June as against Rs 1,407.6 billion a year ago, it said.

The financial sector led in this segment as well, with its issuances accounting for 64.4% or Rs 935.3 billion, it said, adding that the proceeds for the financial sector are 1% lower than the same period last year.

Merchant bankers' underwriting fees jumped 24.2% to $98.8 million, with private sector Axis Bank topping with a ten% share by earning $10.1 million dollars.