IslamicFinance.de

Luxembourg is poised to test demand for Islamic bonds as the issuer of the lowest-yielding sovereign sukuk on record plans to become a regular borrower. The country has been “encouraged” by investor feedback and the market’s readiness and will begin working on its next sukuk, Finance Minister Pierre Gramegna said. Luxembourg sold 200 million euros ($254 million) of five-year Islamic bonds in September priced two basis points below midswaps. That compared with 10 basis points above the swaps for notes of similarly rated Islamic Development Bank. However, Luxembourg’s sukuk isn’t for everyone, least of all those looking for yields, an expert said. The reason why it’s so tight is because there are still Islamic investors that are looking for very conservative assets.