div class="content user-select-text" tabindex="0" aria-description="" aria-label="Sent by Copilot: ### EU Launches Dual-Tranche Bond Sale to Raise €10 Billion The European Union is launching a dual-tranche bond sale to raise up to €10 billion ($11 billion) as it seeks to secure the first funds of the fourth quarter. The bonds, maturing in December 2027 and October 2039, are expected to price at approximately 14 basis points over comparable swaps for the three-year security and around 68 basis points over for the 15-year note, according to sources. This method of debt syndication, while typically more expensive than auctions, allows the EU to quickly raise large sums and diversify its investor base. The bookrunners for the deal include Barclays Plc., BNP Paribas SA, Goldman Sachs Group Inc., LBBW, and Nordea Bank Abp, with a co-lead group comprising several other major banks. In related news, Bloomberg Index Services Limited (BISL) has initiated a client consultation on potentially reclassifying the EU from a "supranational" to a "treasury" issuer. This move, aimed at attracting a larger pool of investors, has already faced rejection from Intercontinental Exchange Inc. and MSCI Inc." The European Commission announced on Thursday that it had adopted the second Work Programme for the digital segment of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) Digital, allocating €865 million in funding from 2024 to 2027 to enhance Europe's digital connectivity infrastructure. This initiative aims to support the rollout of 5G and Gigabit networks, strengthen backbone networks, and deploy digital platforms for sectors like transport and energy. CEF Digital focuses on increasing connectivity across the EU, contributing to Europe's 2030 Digital Decade objectives. The programme will co-finance projects promoting 5G, expand quantum communication and submarine cables, and optimise the energy use of ICT. It also aims to bolster Europe's digital ecosystem by addressing geopolitical and geoeconomic challenges, enhancing the EU's network capacity, security, and resilience.
