Meanwhile, green bonds, whose proceeds can be used only for specific projects, had their second-busiest year ever.

Issuers rushed to borrow to fund sustainability-linked initiatives ahead of the usual December slowdown.

"Once we get through this wave, there's not going to be much remaining supply for the rest of the year."

The firm is taking advantage of robust demand for long-dated bonds as the issuance spree roars on.

According to a Bank of America analysis, U.S. blue-chip debt will be "an attractive asset class" if interest rates continue to rise, and "the markets are open."

HSBC research found a decline in fund managers citing sustainability as an investment objective: "In our view, this falls along mostly political lines and is isolated to the U.S."

The automaker priced $1.5 billion of sustainability bonds in three parts, its first ESG issue since 2021.

The company has issued five green bonds, including a $1 billion offering earlier this month. "Added scrutiny ... enables our platform to continue to shine compared to the rest of the market."