Webinar Recap: The Latest Trends in US Investment Grade Bond Markets

Date: March 4th, 2026 @ 12:00 PM ET

Speakers:

• Shankar Ramakrishnan, Head of U.S. Credit & Global Market Engagement at Informa Global Markets
• Richard Wolff, Head of US Debt Capital Markets Syndicate, SGCIB

In a recent webinar, industry experts Shankar Ramakrishnan and Richard Wolff explored the evolving landscape of the US investment-grade bond markets, which saw a record-breaking issuance of over $1.7 trillion in 2025. They discussed the resilience of these markets amidst global uncertainty and the ongoing effects of recent geopolitical events on bond issuance volumes.

An overview of US investment grade markets

The conversation kicked off with an overview of the prolific US IG markets, renowned for being the largest globally. Shankar provided insight into January and February's historic issuance volumes, raising questions on how geopolitical tensions, notably the US-Iran conflict, could influence market stability and upcoming transactions.

Market resilience in the face of volatility

Richard offered a detailed analysis on the notable resilience of bond markets despite volatility in equity markets due to AI funding challenges and geopolitical affairs. He expressed confidence that investor demand remains robust, emphasizing the impressive order books and over-subscription levels, often ranging up to five times on each transaction. The adaptability of investors to differentiate risk was highlighted as a critical factor supporting the market's strength.

Sectoral Trends and Future Outlook

Exploring sectoral trends, Shankar and Richard examined the influence of giant transactions from tech firms like Oracle and Alphabet, anticipating further significant deals to support AI developments and M&A activities. Despite concerns surrounding equity markets' reaction to tech sector leverage, credit markets have yet to show similar apprehension. As such, the webinar projected a positive outlook on investor engagement and bond issuance, unhampered by recent events.

This enlightening webinar provided attendees with a comprehensive understanding of the current state and future potential of the US investment-grade bond markets, reinforcing the sector's pivotal role in global finance.

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