iTraxx credit-linked notes launched

International Index Company, the Frankfurt-based firm that administers the European and Asian iTraxx credit derivative indexes, has launched three five-year iTraxx credit-linked notes.

The three issues have the same compositions as the series 3 iTraxx Europe, HiVol and Crossover credit derivative indexes, and each is offered with a minimum nominal amount of €500 million.

The floating-rate Europe and HiVol notes priced at a yield of three-month Libor plus 42¾ basis points, and 85 bp, respectively, at issue. The Crossover note was issued at a fixed rate of 6.44%.

The Europe and HiVol notes are collateralised with Pfandbriefe - German secondary market mortgage products; the Crossover note is collaterlaised with repos. David Mark, chief executive of International Index Company said he expects the notes to attract new investors and market participants to the credit derivative asset class.

The notes mature on June 20 2010.