EMEA loans plummet in uncertain Q1

摘要

Syndicated lending in Europe, the Middle East and Africa of US$125bn in the first three months of 2019 is the lowest quarterly volume in nearly a decade, as political and economic worries continue to curb borrowers' appetite. Volume was 60% lower in the first quarter than US$305.43bn a year earlier as a confused backdrop of Brexit chaos, global trade wars and economic slowdown late in the credit cycle continue to hit borrowing. "2019 is going to be quieter than 2018," said Kristin Yeatman, a vice-president at Moody's. Higher debt market volatility and growing protectionism also deterred companies from making large cross-border acquisitions and bankers expect little change in the second quarter.