The region's issuers placed US$ 89 billion of bonds in international markets in 2023. This total was 40% higher than in 2022 but 35% lower than the average issuance in the three-year period from 2019 to 2021.
The region’s top three SLB issuers were Brazil (60%), Mexico (28%) and Chile (8%), and the top three sectors transportation (26%), forestry and paper (23%) and food and beverage (22%).
In 2019, international bond issuance from the region increased and bond spreads tightened. Credit quality continued to deteriorate, however, although at a slower pace relative to 2018.
The region’s international bond sales reached a half-year record of US$ 84 billion in the first six months of the year, according to a new report by ECLAC’s Office in Washington D.C.