Business · Markets · 15 hrs ago
Spanish firms lift investment-grade bond issuance by 50%
Spanish companies issued €14.3 billion in investment-grade bonds in the first half of 2026, according to data from the Association for Financial Markets in Europe (AFME).
That was 50% more than in the same period last year.
Investment-grade bonds are debt rated as relatively reliable, and issuing them is one way companies raise money.
Other fundraising was weaker: high-yield bond sales fell 15%, while stock market listings raised €200 million, down 71%.
If issuance keeps this pace, the full-year total could be the highest for this type of bond since 2000.
Spanish households also have less money invested in capital markets than the EU average, with €31,039 per adult compared with €48,290 across the bloc.
Spanish companies issued €14.3 billion in investment-grade bonds in the first half of 2026, 50% more than in the same period a year earlier.
AFME said that if the pace continues in the second half, annual issuance could reach its highest level since 2000.
Spanish companies’ search for financing rose 18%, above the European average increase of 17%.
Other financing activity was weaker: high-yield bond issuance fell 15%, while initial public offerings raised €200 million, down 71%.
ESG-labelled bonds made up 8.3% of Spanish issuance, compared with 12.3% across Europe.
- Who
- Spanish companies.
- What
- They issued €14.3 billion in investment-grade bonds, 50% more than a year earlier.
- When
- The first half of 2026.
- Where
- Spain.
- Why
- Not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Spanish companies issued less in investment-grade bonds than in the first half of 2026.
Spanish companies issued €14.3 billion in investment-grade bonds, up 50% year on year.
If the issuance pace continues, the annual total could be the highest since 2000.
- Investment-grade issuance
- €14.3 billion
- Year-on-year change
- Up 50%
- Financing search
- Up 18% in the first half of 2026
- High-yield bond issuance
- €4.5 billion, down 15%
- ESG share of issuance
- 8.3% in Spain; 12.3% European average