OREANDA-NEWS. March 30, 2015. In the latest edition of Inside Credit, Fitch Ratings says corporate bond issuance was off to a record start in 2015 due to low interest rates, with volume registering \\$115.7 billion through the end of February - an 18% increase over the first two months in 2012 and a 30% rise compared with 2014.

"Healthcare and pharmaceuticals contributed 17% of 2014 volume, up from 10% in 2013. The fourth quarter accounted for 42% of the sector's total issuance, led by Medtronic's \\$17 billion transaction, the largest of the year. Energy, utilities and infrastructure comprised 23% of the 2014 volume; however, technology, media and telecom new volume fell 24% on a year-over-year basis," said Eric Rosenthal, Fitch Ratings senior director.

Other topics covered in this week's edition of Inside Credit include:
--Basel proposals on credit risk are well-intended but flawed;
--Private funds pose most systemic asset management risk;
--U.S. credit card ABS stable if rates rise slowly;
--Turkey's ratings affirmed at 'BBB-';
--Off-balance-sheet loans are still key risk for Chinese banks;
--Brazil's midsized bank results show diversification is key;
--India bank reforms are positive but face implementation risks;
--German senior debt law would improve bank resolvability;
--Norway's low oil costs allow investment at US\\$55/bbl; and
--UK cyber security report flags insurers' important role.

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