Uncategorized
Love it or flip it
admin | April 24, 2020
This document is intended for institutional investors and is not subject to all of the independence and disclosure standards applicable to debt research reports prepared for retail investors. This material does not constitute research.
Given the one sided nature of trading over the past four weeks, most new investment grade Bank/Financial deals that have priced have performed favorably since their debuts. However, as spread tightening has curbed over the past week, some of these deals—particularly those that have been heavily oversubscribed—deserve a closer look to determine if they hold good longer-term valuation or are candidates for short-term gains while trading tighter on the follow. Two of the more recent interesting launches in Bank/Financial illustrate where investors should seek to add more (love it) or consider taking their short-term gains and put money to work elsewhere (flip it).
The investment grade new issue market has remained in overdrive since the government first introduced the Fed corporate credit facilities on March 22, 2020. Over the last four weeks, 173 issuers have brought over $355 billion in new corporate debt; more than triple the amount issued over the same period last spring. The washout in global oil prices and related spread widening that kicked off start of the week led to one of the worst Mondays in IG new issue in weeks. The first session saw significant resistance from lenders, and included a cancelled deal (Nationwide Mutual (NATMUT: A3/A- 40-yr surplus notes) as investors balked at what was perceived as aggressive pricing. Since then primary markets have re-gained steam, demonstrating less reluctance from syndicates and investors than what was seen over the first two sessions of the week.
Love it: First Horizon National (FHN: Baa3/BBB-) brings a rare 10-year regional subordinated bank note yielding 5.75% (~515/10-year).
Domestic Banks have been among the better performing segments since the start of the credit sell-off beginning the third week in February. Despite negative implications for the operating environment (lower margins, higher credit provisions), IG US banks are largely well capitalized and well positioned for the likely economic downturn resulting from COVID-19, relative to other sectors in the IG landscape.
FHN is an infrequent issuer in the space, and will likely use a large portion of the $450 million proceeds to term out its last remaining public debt outstanding ($500 million), which matures near year-end. Most banks of this size/stature with funding needs have been utilizing non-Index private placement debt issues, mostly which include a callable (10NC5) structure. There are only a few instances of banks in the $20-100 billion total asset range issuing IG index eligible bullet structures comparable to the notes that FHN launched this week. Given that rarity, the bonds are attractively priced on a yield basis, particularly when looking at non-Index comps, many of which do not have two IG ratings. Bonds are even more attractively priced when looking at the few Index eligible regional bank notes in that part of the curve that are available for comparison (Exhibit 1).
Exhibit 1: Comparison of some regional and community bank paper
Source: Amherst Pierpont Securities, Bloomberg/TRACE – Yield-to-Worst Indications
FHN is a TN-based regional lender with $43 billion in total assets and $32 billion in total deposits. The bank is currently engaged in a recently announced merger with IberiaBank (IBKC), which is scheduled to close mid-year will add an additional $32 billion in assets and $24 billion in total deposits. FHN has 271 branches and a Southern footprint, which includes TN, GA, MS, TX, and Carolinas. The IBKC deal will expand into LA, AR and TN. The Bank has a somewhat diversified loan mix, which is skewed to commercial categories including C&I (26%) and CRE (21.5%). FHN also operates a mid-sized broker-dealer, providing diversified cash flows in periods of lower rates / weaker net interest margins. The current Tier 1 CET Capital ratio is adequate at 9.2%, with a total capital ratio of 11.2%, but should likely be a priority for management going forward. There were no material credit concerns as of year-end with a non-performing asset (NPA) ratio of 0.78% of total assets, and a Texas Ratio (NPA+90D past due loans / tangible equity + loan loss reserves) of only 11% (we consider scores under 20% adequate for most IG banks). The addition of IBKC will increase energy exposure, given its Gulf state footprint. FHN’s funding profile appears stable with Loan/Deposit under <100% and reliance on wholesale funding <20%.
Flip it: NASDAQ (NDAQ: Baa2/BBB) moves out the curve with a first time 30-year note that priced (+215) well inside of initial talk (+300), raising questions about longer-term event risk in the industry.
NDAQ’s 30-year launch came 85 bp tight to IPT and roughly 25 to 50 bp tight of anticipated fair value based on peer comparables and the steepness of similar credit/sector curves. The deal was highly oversubscribed, which was reflected in the eventual launch level. Exchanges have performed extremely well in the credit sell-off of the past two months; not surprising given their strategically well-positioned operating models and consistent cash flows. Exchanges also provide a more defensive segment within the broader Broker-Asset Manager sector within most major IG indices, making the launch particularly attractive to Index investors.
Exhibit 2: Relative value in Exchange notes
Source: Amherst Pierpont Securities, Bloomberg/TRACE – G-spread Indications
Nevertheless, given the higher degree of leverage at NDAQ versus peers CME and ICE, and the continuing threat of consolidation / event risk within the industry, investors should be reluctant to add exposure to the new 30-year notes at current valuation. The recent, and highly surprising, move by ICE to attempt to merge with EBAY helped demonstrate that despite a multi-year period of consolidation within the industry, the risk of debt-funded M&A activity remains prevalent within the industry, and could perhaps could be entering a less predictable phase. NDAQ has a strong liquidity position with no maturities until 2023 and a $1 billion revolver through 2022. The 30-year debt launch will be used to term out some of its existing debt, so presumably there could be a tender offer in the near-term. Still, overall net leverage remains high for the segment at nearly 2.5x at year-end versus 2.15x for ICE and less than 1x at CME. A steeper curve was expected to compensate investors, particularly if NDAQ is positioning the balance sheet for future M&A or if the company were to get drawn into a bidding war for the next attractive strategic target in the industry.
This material is intended only for institutional investors and does not carry all of the independence and disclosure standards of retail debt research reports. In the preparation of this material, the author may have consulted or otherwise discussed the matters referenced herein with one or more of SCM’s trading desks, any of which may have accumulated or otherwise taken a position, long or short, in any of the financial instruments discussed in or related to this material. Further, SCM may act as a market maker or principal dealer and may have proprietary interests that differ or conflict with the recipient hereof, in connection with any financial instrument discussed in or related to this material.
This message, including any attachments or links contained herein, is subject to important disclaimers, conditions, and disclosures regarding Electronic Communications, which you can find at https://portfolio-strategy.apsec.com/sancap-disclaimers-and-disclosures.
Important Disclaimers
Copyright © 2025 Santander US Capital Markets LLC and its affiliates (“SCM”). All rights reserved. SCM is a member of FINRA and SIPC. This material is intended for limited distribution to institutions only and is not publicly available. Any unauthorized use or disclosure is prohibited.
In making this material available, SCM (i) is not providing any advice to the recipient, including, without limitation, any advice as to investment, legal, accounting, tax and financial matters, (ii) is not acting as an advisor or fiduciary in respect of the recipient, (iii) is not making any predictions or projections and (iv) intends that any recipient to which SCM has provided this material is an “institutional investor” (as defined under applicable law and regulation, including FINRA Rule 4512 and that this material will not be disseminated, in whole or part, to any third party by the recipient.
The author of this material is an economist, desk strategist or trader. In the preparation of this material, the author may have consulted or otherwise discussed the matters referenced herein with one or more of SCM’s trading desks, any of which may have accumulated or otherwise taken a position, long or short, in any of the financial instruments discussed in or related to this material. Further, SCM or any of its affiliates may act as a market maker or principal dealer and may have proprietary interests that differ or conflict with the recipient hereof, in connection with any financial instrument discussed in or related to this material.
This material (i) has been prepared for information purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation or an offer to buy or sell any securities, related investments or other financial instruments, (ii) is neither research, a “research report” as commonly understood under the securities laws and regulations promulgated thereunder nor the product of a research department, (iii) or parts thereof may have been obtained from various sources, the reliability of which has not been verified and cannot be guaranteed by SCM, (iv) should not be reproduced or disclosed to any other person, without SCM’s prior consent and (v) is not intended for distribution in any jurisdiction in which its distribution would be prohibited.
In connection with this material, SCM (i) makes no representation or warranties as to the appropriateness or reliance for use in any transaction or as to the permissibility or legality of any financial instrument in any jurisdiction, (ii) believes the information in this material to be reliable, has not independently verified such information and makes no representation, express or implied, with regard to the accuracy or completeness of such information, (iii) accepts no responsibility or liability as to any reliance placed, or investment decision made, on the basis of such information by the recipient and (iv) does not undertake, and disclaims any duty to undertake, to update or to revise the information contained in this material.
Unless otherwise stated, the views, opinions, forecasts, valuations, or estimates contained in this material are those solely of the author, as of the date of publication of this material, and are subject to change without notice. The recipient of this material should make an independent evaluation of this information and make such other investigations as the recipient considers necessary (including obtaining independent financial advice), before transacting in any financial market or instrument discussed in or related to this material.
Important disclaimers for clients in the EU and UK
This publication has been prepared by Trading Desk Strategists within the Sales and Trading functions of Santander US Capital Markets LLC (“SanCap”), the US registered broker-dealer of Santander Corporate & Investment Banking. This communication is distributed in the EEA by Banco Santander S.A., a credit institution registered in Spain and authorised and regulated by the Bank of Spain and the CNMV. Any EEA recipient of this communication that would like to affect any transaction in any security or issuer discussed herein should do so with Banco Santander S.A. or any of its affiliates (together “Santander”). This communication has been distributed in the UK by Banco Santander, S.A.’s London branch, authorised by the Bank of Spain and subject to regulatory oversight on certain matters by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA).
The publication is intended for exclusive use for Professional Clients and Eligible Counterparties as defined by MiFID II and is not intended for use by retail customers or for any persons or entities in any jurisdictions or country where such distribution or use would be contrary to local law or regulation.
This material is not a product of Santander´s Research Team and does not constitute independent investment research. This is a marketing communication and may contain ¨investment recommendations¨ as defined by the Market Abuse Regulation 596/2014 ("MAR"). This publication has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of research and is not subject to any prohibition on dealing ahead of the dissemination of investment research. The author, date and time of the production of this publication are as indicated herein.
This publication does not constitute investment advice and may not be relied upon to form an investment decision, nor should it be construed as any offer to sell or issue or invitation to purchase, acquire or subscribe for any instruments referred herein. The publication has been prepared in good faith and based on information Santander considers reliable as of the date of publication, but Santander does not guarantee or represent, express or implied, that such information is accurate or complete. All estimates, forecasts and opinions are current as at the date of this publication and are subject to change without notice. Unless otherwise indicated, Santander does not intend to update this publication. The views and commentary in this publication may not be objective or independent of the interests of the Trading and Sales functions of Santander, who may be active participants in the markets, investments or strategies referred to herein and/or may receive compensation from investment banking and non-investment banking services from entities mentioned herein. Santander may trade as principal, make a market or hold positions in instruments (or related derivatives) and/or hold financial interest in entities discussed herein. Santander may provide market commentary or trading strategies to other clients or engage in transactions which may differ from views expressed herein. Santander may have acted upon the contents of this publication prior to you having received it.
This publication is intended for the exclusive use of the recipient and must not be reproduced, redistributed or transmitted, in whole or in part, without Santander’s consent. The recipient agrees to keep confidential at all times information contained herein.
