The recognition follows SM Investments' highly successful $500-million bond offering in 2024, which marked the largest-ever five-year issuance by a Philippine corporate and achieved the tightest-ever five-year issue spread by an unrated corporate in Southeast Asia.
The deal, which attracted over $1.6 billion in orders from 103 investors, highlights strong global confidence in SM Investments' credit profile and long-term growth prospects.
“This recognition affirms the strength of our financial position and our commitment to growth,” said Erwin G. Pato, SM Investments’ executive vice president for treasury, finance, and planning. “The success of this bond issuance reflects investor trust in our strategy and leadership, reinforcing our focus on sustainable expansion across sectors.”
According to The Asset, SM Investments became the first Philippine corporate issuer to access the international US dollar bond market with a benchmark-size offering since November 2021.
The company’s success aligns with the surging demand for Philippine corporate debt, as total bond issuances from the country nearly doubled to $8.5 billion in 2024.
As SM Investments continues to drive economic progress in the Philippines, this achievement underscores its strong financial standing and unwavering investor confidence. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
