Euro Bond: Meaning, Benefits, Delivery & Market Size

Euro bonds is a financial instrument that plays a significant role in international capital markets. It offers governments, corporations, and other entities a way to raise funds from investors outside their home countries. Let’s dive deeper into Eurobonds and how they function in the global financial landscape.

What are Euro bonds?

Eurobonds, or external bonds, are fixed-income securities issued in a currency different from the country where they are issued. Unlike domestic bonds, Eurobonds are not subject to regulations and restrictions imposed by a single country’s financial authorities. They are typically denominated in major currencies like the US dollar, euro, or yen and are issued by multinational corporations, governments, and supranational organizations.
The term “euro” in Eurobond does not refer exclusively to the European Union or the euro currency. It originated from the fact that the Eurobond market initially emerged in the 1960s in Europe.

How Do Euro bonds Work?

Euro bonds work through a process called bond issuance. When a corporation or government entity decides to raise capital through Eurobonds, they collaborate with an investment bank or a group of banks, known as the underwriters. The underwriters help structure the bond offering and determine its terms, including the interest rate, maturity date, and principal amount.
Once the terms are established, the underwriters market the Eurobonds to potential investors worldwide. The bonds are sold through an underwriting syndicate, and investors can purchase them in the primary market directly from the underwriters.
After the initial issuance, Euro bonds become tradable in the secondary market, where investors can buy or sell them. The secondary market provides liquidity and flexibility for investors who want to adjust their investment portfolios or exit their positions before the bond’s maturity.

How is a Euro bonds Issued?

The issuance process of Eurobonds involves several steps. Here’s an overview of how a Eurobond is issued:

Preparation: The issuer decides the terms and conditions of the Eurobond, including the amount to be raised, currency, maturity date, and interest rate.
Appointment of Underwriters: The issuer appoints investment banks as underwriters who will assist in structuring and selling the bond offering to investors.
Due Diligence: The underwriters conduct due diligence to assess the issuer’s creditworthiness. This involves evaluating financial statements, market conditions, and the issuer’s reputation.
Offering Memorandum: The issuer and underwriters prepare an offering memorandum, which provides detailed information about the Eurobond, such as the terms, risk factors, and financial background of the issuer.
Marketing and Pricing: The underwriters market the Eurobond to potential investors globally, highlighting its features and benefits. The bond price is determined based on market demand and prevailing interest rates.
Subscription: Interested investors submit their subscription orders to the underwriters, indicating the quantity of Eurobonds they wish to purchase.
Allocation: The underwriters allocate the Eurobonds to investors based on their subscription orders, ensuring a fair distribution.
Settlement: After the allocation, the investors transfer the purchase amount to the underwriters, and in return, they receive the Eurobonds.
Listing: If the issuer chooses to list the Eurobond on a stock exchange, they work with the exchange to fulfill listing requirements and facilitate trading.

Delivery of Eurobonds

The delivery of Eurobonds to investors typically occurs electronically through book-entry systems. This method eliminates the need for physical certificates, making the process more efficient and secure. Investors receive confirmation of their ownership electronically, and the bonds are held in their accounts with custodian banks or financial institutions.

Market Size of Eurobonds

The Eurobond market has grown significantly, reflecting its popularity among issuers and investors. According to data from the International Capital Market Association (ICMA), the outstanding amount of Eurobonds reached trillions of dollars, making it one of the most significant segments of the global bond market.
The market size of Eurobonds continues to expand due to various factors, including cross-border capital flows, international diversification of investor portfolios, and the flexibility it offers issuers regarding currency choice and regulatory environment.

Benefits to Issuers

Issuers of Eurobonds enjoy several benefits:

Access to International Capital: Eurobonds provide issuers access to a broad base of international investors, allowing them to raise capital outside their domestic markets.
Diversification: Issuing Eurobonds can diversify their funding sources and reduce dependence on domestic investors or banks.
Lower Borrowing Costs: Eurobonds often offer lower borrowing costs than domestic bonds, particularly for issuers with solid credit ratings. This can result in significant savings on interest payments.
Currency Flexibility: Eurobonds enable issuers to raise funds in currencies other than their home currency, which can benefit multinational corporations with global operations.

Benefits to Investors

Investors who invest in Eurobonds can benefit in the following ways:

Portfolio Diversification: Eurobonds allow investors to diversify their investment portfolios internationally, reducing exposure to a single market or currency.
Higher Yield: Eurobonds, especially those issued by entities with lower credit ratings, often offer higher yields than government or highly rated corporate bonds. This can attract investors seeking higher returns.
Liquidity: The Eurobond market is known for its liquidity, as bonds can be bought or sold in the secondary market. This gives investors flexibility and the ability to adjust their positions as market conditions change.

Eurobond vs. Foreign Bond

Eurobonds and foreign bonds are similar in that they both involve issuing bonds in a foreign currency. However, there are some differences between the two:

Regulation: Eurobonds are not subject to the law by a single country’s financial authorities, while foreign bonds are subject to the rules of the country where they are issued.
Issuance Location: Eurobonds can be issued anywhere globally, while foreign bonds are issued in a specific foreign country.
Investor Base: Eurobonds attract a broader international investor base, while foreign bonds tend to be more targeted toward investors in the country where they are issued.
Currency Choice: Eurobonds offer issuers the flexibility to choose the currency to denominate the bond. Foreign bonds are typically denominated in the country’s money where they are issued.

In summary, Eurobonds and foreign bonds are financing tools for entities looking to raise funds outside their home countries. Eurobonds offer flexibility, global investor reach, and the ability to choose different currencies, making them popular in international capital markets.

Conclusion

Eurobonds have emerged as a vital instrument for global financing, providing issuers and investors with unique benefits. They enable entities to raise capital internationally, diversify funding sources, and access a broad investor base. For investors, Eurobonds offer opportunities for portfolio diversification, potentially higher yields, and liquidity. With their flexibility and appeal, Eurobonds continue to contribute to the growth and dynamism of the international bond market.