Capital Markets: High-Yield Products (International Firms) | Greater China Region

Davis Polk & Wardwell is a capital markets powerhouse with a superb reputation in high-value, cross-border equity matters, including some of the top IPOs and follow-on offerings in the region. An experienced adviser on international ADS offerings in the USA, the firm is also well known for its debt work, representing issuers and underwriters in major note and equity-linked bond offerings. It is additionally highly respected for its work in the high-yield space, advising on repeat and debut issuances, as well as liability management. A robust bench of Hong Kong-based partners advises clients on matters involving US, English and Hong Kong law. Familiar with US regulatory bodies and the requirements of jurisdictions around the region, the team regularly advises on transactions relating to the TMT, healthcare and consumer industries.

With a well-rounded team with an exceptional reputation for handling complex and high-value high-yield debt work, Sidley Austin is also skilled at advising on investment-grade debt offerings, including hybrid products, green bonds and dual-currency offerings, regularly acting as issuer's counsel. The DCM team is also frequently sought out to advise on a range of debt restructuring mandates. The firm also maintains a very busy ECM practice, acting on a high number of IPOs and share placements and representing a range of issuers and underwriters. It is regularly engaged by international banks, as well as PRC and Hong Kong financial intermediaries, and is particularly active on issuances in the property, energy, biotech and pharmaceutical sectors.

Linklaters' Hong Kong-based debt team boasts a very strong reputation for its work on both straight and hybrid bond offerings, as well as notable experience in large green and sustainability bond issuances. The team is also well known for its specialist focus on commercial paper and renminbi bond offerings, and is increasingly prominent in handling complex high-yield note offerings. Additionally, the firm fields a well-respected equity practice which often handles significant IPOs, follow-on offerings and block trades. The unified practice advises clients on English, US and Hong Kong law issues and regularly acts for major Chinese and international banks and Hong Kong-listed companies, as well as a robust stable of SOEs.

Clifford Chance boasts an excellent track record of taking on large and complex IPOs on behalf of issuers, sponsors and underwriters, as well as handling a range of high-value secondary share offerings. One of the standout ECM teams in the region, it regularly advises on major transactions and also has an enviable DCM practice, assisting on the issuance of a range of products, including hybrid, panda and dim sum bonds. The team is equipped to offer Hong Kong and US legal advice, as well as collaborating closely with its UK and European offices on cross-border matters. It consistently represents leading international and Chinese banks and investment corporations. 

King & Wood Mallesons enjoys a solid reputation for its work representing a range of clients in straight debt and convertible offerings, as well as tender offers and consent solicitations. The firm is able to advise on panda bonds, as well as euro and Singapore dollar-denominated offerings, and also enjoys a growing reputation for representing Chinese issuers in high-yield work. Additionally, the team remains active on notable Hong Kong IPOs and is able to provide US, UK, PRC and Hong Kong law advice. It has a particularly strong reputation in PRC-related matters due to its network of offices there.

Latham & Watkins has a well-balanced practice assisting clients on ECM, investment-grade debt and high-yield work. The firm continues to act on a wide range of debt transactions, working on deals originating in China and abroad, regularly assisting Chinese SOEs and private companies and often acting for property developers and industrial clients. It is notably active advising on convertible bonds and other hybrid issuances, as well as sustainability-linked issuances and private placements. The ECM team has a strong track record of acting on significant IPOs for clients in the healthcare, technology, real estate and finance industries. The firm offers an integrated team with US, Hong Kong and UK law capabilities.

With an integrated team which is highly commended across the board and has a significant track record of work in Hong Kong, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom & Affiliates is highly sought after for ECM expertise, and the team is frequently instructed on market-leading US and Hong Kong IPOs, as well as follow-on offerings. It is known for its excellent high-yield expertise and offers an accomplished investment-grade debt practice across a wide range of offerings, including project bonds, convertible notes and ADS issuances. It services clients in a wide range of industries including tech, fintech, healthcare, renewables, consumer goods and education.