2d ago
Long-term debt bets on technology companies that are borrowing heavily for AI may end in tears, according to Newfleet Asset Management. “It’s one of the biggest risks out there,” said Dave Albrycht, the multi-sector fixed income manager’s president and chief investment officer. “There’s no free lunch in the bond market,” he tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence’s Arnold Kakuda in this episode of the Credit Edge podcast. Besides investment-grade companies borrowing to fund equity-like risk, they discuss the risk of Oracle falling to junk, why asset-backed securities are a hedge and how leveraged loans will be worth buying when the Federal Reserve stops cutting rates. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 11
KKR is looking to Europe and Japan for yield as US debt spreads grind tighter. “Investors are very focused on relative value in a market where there’s not a lot,” Tal Reback, global investment strategist for the firm’s credit and markets business, tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence’s David Havens in this episode of the Credit Edge podcast. “In general, investors are much more intrigued about how to diversify geographically,” she adds. They also discuss what KKR thinks could be a $1 trillion European asset-backed debt opportunity, private credit default risk, valuations of direct loans, sector bets and business development companies. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 4
The technology-funding frenzy could become a bust for credit markets if AI falls short of lofty expectations, according to Barclays. “If we get to a point where we see a lot of this issuance coming to the market — and then there’s some changes, where maybe certain things are a little bit less viable or a little bit less attractive — that leads to some downside risks,” Brad Rogoff, the firm’s global head of research, tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence’s Mike Campellone in the latest Credit Edge podcast. They also discuss “late-cycle” behavior, private-debt risk, asset-based finance and portfolio trades, as well as Barclays’ 2026 forecasts for credit spreads, defaults and global issuance. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 26
Global investors are looking more at European private credit as US returns get squeezed, according to London-based hedge fund Arini. “They want to focus on a place where they think there’s rule of law, where they think there’s opportunity set — and that’s really been Europe,” Mathew Cestar, the firm’s president, tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence’s Stephane Kovatchev in the latest Credit Edge podcast. Europe pays about 50 basis points more on private loans than the US to compensate for its relative complexity, says Cestar, who leads the Arini’s direct lending business. The firm generates additional spread by focusing on middle-market, non-sponsor deals across the continent. Cestar also discusses credit agreements, defaults, the potential for investment in defense and where by country and sector he sees the best opportunity. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 20
Vanguard Group, the world’s second-largest money manager, is wary of junk bonds given how expensive they’ve become. “Where the market is today doesn’t leave a lot of room for negative surprises,” Michael Chang, head of high-yield corporate credit at the $11 trillion asset manager, tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence’s Matthew Geudtner in the latest Credit Edge podcast. “Spreads are pretty tight, yields are about average — it’s not the best time to be investing in high yield,” Chang says. They also discuss Vanguard’s preference for debt from utilities and consumer staples companies, how to get extra yield from leveraged loans and how to profit from liability-management exercises. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 13
Lack of discipline is a concern for credit markets as investors rush to fund artificial intelligence, according to Oaktree Capital Management. “Just how much money is chasing deals — I think you need to be mindful of that,” Danielle Poli, a portfolio manager for the firm’s global credit strategy, tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence’s Phil Brendel in the latest Credit Edge podcast. “What stands out is that anything with AI is just getting done,” Poli added. “A lot of the excess we’re seeing is in that space.” They also discuss where to find better returns in collateralized loan obligations, real estate debt, strategies for busted convertibles, private market relative value and opportunities in Europe. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 6
Credit investors should be careful about participating in the artificial intelligence boom, according to DoubleLine Capital. “You have to be not only cautious about the tech sector, but the tangential related sectors that are providing support for these new projects,” Robert Cohen, the firm’s director of global developed credit, tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence’s Robert Schiffman in the latest Credit Edge podcast. “Who knows what the spillover will be if the music stops?” Cohen added. They also discuss compressed returns in private debt markets, commercial mortgage-backed securities, how to invest in corporate bonds by duration, rating and sector — plus the outlook for 2026. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 30
Investors are too sanguine after shrugging off recent debt-market distress, according to Crossmark Global Investments. “My key concern is the complacency,” Victoria Fernandez, the firm’s chief market strategist, tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence’s Jean-Yves Coupin in the latest episode of the Credit Edge podcast. “Jamie Dimon talks about the cockroaches, but the investors don’t seem to care,” Fernandez says. They also discuss opportunity and risk in the build-out of AI infrastructure, health-care bond spreads, private credit troubles and the performance of values-based investments. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 23
Corporate collapse and allegations of fraud hog the headlines, but a slumping US economy is much more troubling for debt markets, according to Monarch Alternative Capital. “There are large portions of the economy that are hurting,” Adam Sklar, the firm’s co-chief investment officer, tells Bloomberg News’ Irene Garcia Perez and Bloomberg Intelligence’s Negisa Balluku in the latest Credit Edge podcast. “That is a more notable element to the corporate-credit story right now than super-loose underwriting or fraud,” Sklar says. They also discuss private credit stress, opportunity in auto, chemicals and packaging debt and risks to software companies. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 16
Private credit is better placed than public to avoid blowups being seen in liquid debt, according to Ares Management Corp. “The level and amount of work you can do from a diligence standpoint is dramatically more extensive,” Joel Holsinger, partner and co-head of alternative credit at the company, tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence’s David Havens in the latest Credit Edge podcast. “There probably would have been more ability to do some of the work to unearth some of the stuff that has been alleged,” he adds, referring to recent bankruptcies of First Brands and Tricolor. They also discuss significant risk transfers, data-center lending, fund and asset-based finance, as well as philanthropy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 9
More highly indebted companies will slip into distress as the US economy slows and earnings suffer, according to Aegon Asset Management. “I am bracing for a little more trouble ahead,” Jim Schaeffer, the $380 billion manager’s global head of leveraged finance, tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence’s Julie Hung in the latest Credit Edge podcast. “We’re starting to see more and more companies just hitting a wall,” he adds. They also discuss the third-quarter earnings outlook, opportunities in structured finance, how to invest in the debt of beer and food companies, as well as private credit hazards. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 2
Collateralized loan obligations, particularly those backed by middle-market borrowers, are a growing opportunity for investors, according to Crescent Capital Group. “You have to work really hard to blow those structures up,” said John Fekete, the company’s head of tradeable credit, speaking of CLOs generally. Middle-market deals will make up a “larger and larger percentage of CLO issuance,” he tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence’s Jody Lurie in the latest episode of the Credit Edge podcast. We also discuss leveraged loan relative value, the outlook for US consumers and casinos, tariff damage and the impact of liability management exercises. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 25
There’s opportunity in collateralized loan obligations, according to BlackRock, the world’s largest money manager. “CLO tranches are probably one of the best relative value picks within the credit markets,” James Turner, the firm’s co-head of European fundamental fixed income investment, tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence’s Tim Riminton in the latest Credit Edge podcast. “You are getting a very good spread and deal pickup there,” he adds. They also discuss opportunities in the auto, health care and defense sectors, how to play chemicals industry debt and the outlook for buyouts, defaults and recoveries in leveraged finance. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 18
Razor-thin debt spreads underpin the global investor push into private markets, which can pay significantly more, according to Blackstone. “We see excess spread in private credit,” Michael Zawadzki, chief investment officer of Blackstone Credit & Insurance, tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence’s David Havens in the latest Credit Edge podcast. “That’s a really attractive thing for our clients around the world,” he adds, marking the premium at 150-200 bps over both traded high-yield and investment-grade debt. The three also discuss the rise of foreign insurers, pension funds and sovereign wealth in private credit, as well as the outlook for data-center finance, leveraged buyouts and default risks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 11
Distressed debt exchanges in the form of liability-management exercises are set to take off in Europe, according to Gibson Dunn, the US-based law firm. “You’re getting the same lawyers and bankers hired in Europe for deals that they do here — it’s not surprising that they would potentially roll out a playbook that’s worked,” Scott Greenberg, the firm’s global chair of business restructuring and reorganization, tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence’s Stephen Flynn in the latest Credit Edge podcast. “It’s a natural progression to take that expertise and bring it to your clients overseas,” says Greenberg, who notes elevated levels of distress in France. We also discuss the likelihood of an imminent US LME revival, the bankruptcy outlook and communications sector stress. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 4
Traded corporate debt is much more attractive than private credit, according to RBC BlueBay Asset Management. “Public credit is far superior,” Tom Moulds, senior portfolio manager for investment-grade fixed income at the $534 billion firm, tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence’s Tolu Alamutu in the latest Credit Edge podcast. “There’ll probably be a point where you do see losses and people get very concerned,” says Moulds, referring to private debt, which he doesn’t invest in. “If we did slip into a period where growth looked weaker, then I think it would be a problem,” he adds. The three also discuss impact investing, defense sector opportunities, financial debt valuations, real estate stress and European sovereign risk. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 28
Leveraged buyouts are poised for a revival, albeit less aggressively structured than in the last wave, according to Moody’s Ratings. “Ultimately everyone will need to adjust to the new environment and you will see deal flow come back,” Christina Padgett, the firm’s head of leveraged finance and private credit research, tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence’s Jean-Yves Coupin in the latest episode of the Credit Edge podcast. “There’s too much capital that needs to be put to work,” says Padgett, noting potential for LBOs in the technology, health care and services sectors. We also discuss the rise of distressed debt exchanges, leveraged loan risk, the impact of tariffs on weak borrowers and why default rates should fall next year. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 21
Collateralized loan obligation equity stands to gain as much as 15% this year, according to Tetragon Credit Partners. “It’s teens returns, high current cash flows and diversification,” said Dagmara Michalczuk, co-chief investment officer at the firm, which specializes in the riskiest part of the CLO market. “We are in vanilla corporate America, just using a little bit of leverage in financial engineering to generate those returns,” she tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence’s Mike Campellone in the latest Credit Edge podcast. Michalczuk and Campellone also discuss the risk of loss from liability-management exercises, private debt valuations, loan defaults and relative value in European CLOs. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 14
More companies will fail to repay debt as funding costs stay high, according to Mudrick Capital Management. “What we’re getting is just elevated defaults every year, we think for the next five to seven years,” Jason Mudrick, the distressed debt fund’s founder and chief investment officer, tells Bloomberg News’ Irene Garcia Perez and Bloomberg Intelligence’s Mike Holland in the latest Credit Edge podcast. “The catalyst today is not an economic downturn — it’s this normalization of interest rates,” says Mudrick. They also discuss the Tropicana, Yellow Pages and Shutterfly debt restructurings, as well as flying taxi maker Vertical Aerospace. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 31
Fox Legal Training sees debt documentation risks rising as too much cash chases a limited number of high-yield deals. “Provisions these days are drafted in a way that they are very much departures from reality,” Sabrina Fox, the company’s founder, tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence’s Aidan Cheslin in this episode of the Credit Edge podcast. “That creates an alternate universe, like La La Land, where the numbers don’t match the performance of the business,” says Fox, who specializes in covenant analysis. Fox and Cheslin also discuss lack of transparency in high-yield debt deals, lessons learned from the Altice debt restructuring, how aggressive liability management spreads to Europe from the US and where to spot trouble in prospectuses. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 24
US billionaires and sovereign wealth funds are going to get more active in global sports investing, according to Andalusian Credit Partners. “The US invasion into other markets is just getting started,” Aaron Kless, the US middle-market direct lending platform’s chief executive officer, tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence’s Arnold Kakuda in this episode of the Credit Edge podcast. “A lot of the largest sovereign wealth funds are interested in getting deeper into sports investing,” adds Kless, whose firm focuses on sports, media and entertainment. Kless and Kakuda also discuss the next big sports deal, the high cost of being a fan and how not to get trapped in the vanity play. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 17
Ares Management, the $550 billion alternative investor, expects private lenders to get more involved in funding Europe’s rearmament. “We are starting to see more defense opportunities come across the desk,” Mike Dennis, the company’s co-head of European credit, tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence’s Jeroen Julius in this episode of the Credit Edge podcast. “We would tend to be cautious — we need to listen to what our LPs’ appetite for those types of businesses are,” says Dennis, referring to Ares’ limited partners and their environmental, social and governance concerns. Dennis and Julius also discuss middle-market loan pricing, private credit returns and where Ares might look to open up new offices in Europe. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 10
JPMorgan Asset Management is seeking hedges against credit market losses as risks rise and spreads tighten. “There’s value in shorts and credit protection,” Oksana Aronov, the firm’s head of market strategy for alternative fixed income, tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence’s Jody Lurie in the latest Credit Edge podcast. “It is very undervalued today because of the complacency in the market,” says Aronov, referring to the high-grade credit default swap index. Aronov and Lurie also discuss the increasing amount of bond and loan interest being repaid with additional debt, dwindling recovery rates, private debt convergence and high-grade opportunities. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 3
HPS Investment Partners is building out its fund finance business, including net-asset-value lending. “It’s a huge opportunity,” Purnima Puri, head of liquid credit and a founding partner at the $150 billion firm, tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence’s Tolu Alamutu in the latest Credit Edge podcast. “Exits for private equity sponsors have been somewhat limited and it’s one way to get some capital back to their investor group, which I think is super important,” says Puri. They also discuss how HPS is positioning for stagflation, the private-debt deal pipeline, relative returns, slim recoveries and liability-management exercise “brain damage.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 26
Barings Sees Global Credit Investor Pivot to Europe (Podcast)Demand for European corporate debt is rising as global investors seek to diversify out of US markets, according to Barings, the $442 billion asset manager. “US exceptionalism is a little bit more questioned, investors are increasingly concerned about US economic policy,” Mike Best, a high-yield and senior loan portfolio manager at the firm, tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence’s Stephen Flynn in the latest Credit Edge podcast. “That will probably in the near term, create a very strong technical demand for European assets,” says Best, who’s taking more calls from investors seeking exposure to non-US markets. Best and Flynn also discuss risks and constraints in European credit, retail distress, communication sector winners and loser, plus how to trade liability-management exercises. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 18
When the credit cycle turns, “the game will be over” for some private debt funds that are overly exposed to weak companies, according to Silver Point Capital. “We see every deal that’s getting done — there’s some good deals and there’s some bad deals,” Michael Gatto, the firm’s head of private side businesses, tells Bloomberg News’ Irene Garcia Perez and Bloomberg Intelligence’s David Havens in the latest Credit Edge podcast. “If someone is doing too many bad deals, they won’t exist,” says Gatto, referring to what generally happens when debt market liquidity dries up. Gatto and Havens also discuss Silver Point’s approach to private credit, the growth of liability management exercises and disqualified lender lists. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 12
Collateralized loan obligations are a credit safe haven as highly-indebted companies get dragged down by economic slowdown, according to PGIM Fixed Income. “These structures are bulletproof,” Greg Peters, the $860 billion asset manager’s co-chief investment officer, tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence’s Matthew Geudtner in the latest Credit Edge podcast. “The loan market could really come upon hard times and these structures will be fine,” says Peters, referring to higher-rated CLO tranches. Peters and Geudtner also discuss how to profit from liability management exercises, private debt relative value and growing default risk in the consumer and hospitality sectors. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 5
Credit markets are rallying but there’s elevated risk of some companies not repaying debt, according to the Schwab Center for Financial Research. “There’s a sense of complacency,” Collin Martin, the firm’s fixed income strategist, tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence’s Himanshu Bakshi in the latest episode of the Credit Edge podcast. “Defaults are probably going to stay high,” says Martin, noting low interest coverage ratios among the weakest borrowers. Martin and Bakshi also discuss private credit risk, floating-rate and preferred debt opportunities, and the impact of trade wars on consumer confidence. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 29
Private credit may be hot, but it isn’t for all investors and doesn’t do better than traded junk debt, according to Dimensional Fund Advisors, which manages $790 billion in assets. “There is no outperformance relative to high-yield public bonds,” Savina Rizova, the firm’s co-chief investment officer and global head of research, tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence’s Jean-Yves Coupin in the latest episode of the Credit Edge podcast. “Some people might get disappointed with some of the attributes of private credit,” says Rizova, highlighting better liquidity and transparency in public markets. Rizova and Coupin also discuss Dimensional’s expansion into mortgage-backed securities, its active exchange-traded fund strategy and the firm’s overall credit exposure and positioning. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 22
Tariffs are inflicting economic damage that will force more companies to default on their debt, according to Polus Capital Management. “We do have a more substantial book of single name, high-yield credit shorts,” Robert Dafforn, the firm’s chief investment officer for opportunistic credit, tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence’s Tim Riminton in the latest episode of the Credit Edge podcast. “We think about it as the foothills before the mountain as you go on the slow ascent, and then it kind of picks up more broadly after that,” says Dafforn, referring to an increase in delinquency amid high interest rates and slowing growth. The CIO of Polus also discusses trouble brewing in the chemicals, building materials, packaging and consumer sectors, as well as “equity-like returns” for distressed-debt investors. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 15
Yield-hungry credit investors are increasingly seeking longer-dated corporate debt, just as supply is evaporating, according to Barclays. “It’s problematic,” Meghan Graper, the firm’s global head of debt capital markets, tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence’s Arnold Kakuda in the latest Credit Edge podcast. “I worry — can we source enough assets to appeal to where the bid is gravitating, and that’s out the curve.” Graper and Kakuda also discuss the growth of private credit, value in financial sector debt, hybrid issuance, the Trump put and league table rankings for global bond underwriters. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 8
Property markets are headed for trouble as the US economy slows and interest rates stay high, according to Hines, the global real estate investment manager.“We will probably see a bigger wave of assets in distress,” Alfonso Munk, who runs the firm’s debt business, tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence’s Tolu Alamutu in the latest Credit Edge podcast. “What I’m worried about is the operating distress if we get into economic headwinds.” Munk and Alamutu also discuss investment opportunities and risks by property type, region and country, as well as the impact of the trade war on real estate markets worldwide. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 1
More corporate debt will plunge into distress when the US economy tanks, Marty Fridson, chief executive officer of Fridson Vision High Yield Strategy. “I have high confidence that we will get back to 1,000 basis points on the high-yield index as a whole at the worst point of the next recession,” the veteran credit strategist tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence’s Spencer Cutter in the latest Credit Edge podcast. Corporate bonds trading at 1,000 basis points over Treasuries are usually seen by markets as being in distress, with a high likelihood of default. Fridson and Cutter also discuss energy sector bond opportunities, corporate bond default rates, ratings trends, the Federal Reserve put and liability management. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 24
Risky corporate debt markets have room to fall further to reflect the damage of ongoing trade wars, according to BlackRock, the $11.6 trillion money manager. “We’re likely to see spreads widen from here as we see further deterioration in risk assets,” Mitch Garfin, the firm’s co-head of leveraged finance, tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence’s Robert Schiffman in the latest Credit Edge podcast. “If this uncertainty continues for another quarter, two quarters, three quarters — that could lead to a more significant downturn.” Garfin and Schiffman also discuss private credit relative value, distressed exchanges, technology sector opportunities, portfolio trading and auto sector risk. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 17
Tariff chaos has tossed retailers into a crisis similar to Covid in 2020, leaving them unable to plan ahead, according to AlixPartners, the financial advisory and global consulting firm. “It’s a little crazy and retailers are canceling orders,” Holly Etlin, a partner at the firm and restructuring veteran, tells Bloomberg News’ Reshmi Basu and Bloomberg Intelligence’s Stephen Flynn in the latest Credit Edge podcast. There’s a “real crisis, everybody going nuts,” she added, referring to pricing, inventory and shipping decisions that retailers are trying to make. Etlin also discusses the impact of elevated bankruptcy costs, the outlook for more coercive liability management exercises, how retailers are using asset-based loans as a lifeline and the turnaround of Tailored Brands. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 10
Global market turmoil opens a window for credit investors in companies with too much debt, according to London-based Aptior Capital, which specializes in distressed debt and rescue finance. “All this volatility, it throws up even more opportunities,” founder Rudi Singh tells Bloomberg News’ Giulia Morpurgo and Bloomberg Intelligence’s Tolu Alamutu in the latest Credit Edge podcast. “These are very good businesses and it really has been the old adage of good company, bad cap structure.” Morpurgo and Alamutu also discuss the firm’s target of 20% returns, a shift to Europe by US investors, liability management, real estate and auto sector stress. This episode was recorded on April 2. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 3
Retail investors aren’t yet ready to jump on the private credit bandwagon, according to Janus Henderson. “The skepticism there should be real,” John Kerschner, the firm’s head of US securitized products, talking about exchange-traded funds focused on direct lending. “The underlying isn’t nearly as liquid and hasn’t really been tested throughout a real dislocation credit cycle,” Kerschner tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence’s Spencer Cutter in the latest Credit Edge podcast. Kerschner and Cutter also discuss the outlook for the US economy and consumers, collateralized loan obligations, relative value in securitized credit and fund flows. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 27
Fundamental and technical pressures on credit markets are growing as trade wars escalate, according to JPMorgan Asset Management. “We just need to be paid a little bit more for the uncertainty risk now in the market,” says Lisa Coleman, the firm’s head of global investment-grade corporate credit. “The technicals from where we were at the beginning of the year have deteriorated,” Coleman, who manages $73 billion in assets, tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence’s Jody Lurie in the latest Credit Edge podcast. Coleman and Lurie also discuss the earnings outlook for US companies, opportunities in consumer, health care and bank debt and fund flows. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 20
Global portfolio managers are seeking debt investment alternatives in China and Europe amid mounting volatility in America, according to CreditSights. “The US seems to be sneezing an awful lot lately and the rest of the world is saying, ‘Well how do we mask up and try to defend ourselves against this?” said Winnie Cisar, the firm’s global head of strategy. “If US exceptionalism is not on the table, then we’re going to have to go other places to look for opportunity,” Cisar tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence’s Matthew Geudtner in the latest Credit Edge podcast. Cisar and Geudtner also discuss the impact on US borrowers of trade wars, the growing risk of stagflation and opportunities in the industrial sector, including Boeing bonds. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 13
Amid heightened volatility in American capital markets, there are more attractive private debt options elsewhere, according to alternative investment manager BC Partners. “In 25 years of doing this, it’s probably the first time we’re seeing actually decent relative value in Europe,” said Ted Goldthorpe, the firm’s head of credit. “The US has always provided better relative value in every environment — that’s kind of changed,” Goldthorpe tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence’s Arnold Kakuda in the latest Credit Edge podcast. Besides specific European opportunities, Goldthorpe and Kakuda also discuss sports lending, the impact of tariffs on US mid-market borrowers, private loan valuations and the pipeline for acquisitions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 6
Private credit is getting squeezed by excess demand for limited deals, but AllianceBernstein says it will continue to pay more than publicly traded debt. “Even as base rates have come in, that premium remains fairly persistent,” said Matthew Bass, the firm’s head of private alternatives. “If the premium gets too small, then as an investor, you’re going to start to question: ‘Why am I locking my capital up?’,” Bass tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence’s Tolu Alamutu in the latest Credit Edge podcast. Bass and Alamutu also discuss recovery in commercial real estate, asset-based finance opportunities by sector and the advent of exchange-traded funds for private debt. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 27
The best credit opportunity lies in middle-market collateralized loan obligation equity, according to Carlyle. “It is a newer market and not everyone’s investing and chasing that asset class,” said Lauren Basmadjian, the firm’s global head of liquid credit. “We’re seeing mid-to-high teens IRRs,” Basmadjian tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence’s Mike Campellone in the latest Credit Edge podcast. That compares to 12%-13% internal rates of return from CLOs backed by broadly syndicated loans, she adds. Basmadjian and Campellone also discuss growing risk from liability management exercises, private/public debt convergence, default rates, M&A and European leveraged loan market opportunities. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 20
As trade wars intensify, inflation persists and geopolitical risks spread, Pimco is finding value in the debt of large US banks and leisure-sector companies. “There are some really strong spots within lodging, cruise lines and the like,” said Sonali Pier, who focuses on multi-sector credit opportunities and is a senior member of the $2 trillion asset manager’s leveraged finance team. Pimco is meanwhile cautious on retail and autos, especially in Europe, Pier tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence’s Jody Lurie, in the latest Credit Edge podcast. Pier and Lurie also discuss private debt relative value, asset-based finance opportunities and how to navigate creditor conflict when borrowers fall into distress. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 13
Goldman Sachs is advising credit investors to protect against losses amid expensive valuations and rising geopolitical turmoil. “The cost of hedging is the lowest it’s been in probably a very long time — use that to your advantage,” said Lotfi Karoui, the firm’s chief credit strategist. “Look at that left tail of the distribution — the known unknowns, the unknown unknowns, the things that can take you off guard,” he tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence’s Robert Schiffman, in the latest Credit Edge podcast. Despite this, Goldman is positive on the corporate debt market outlook, given very strong demand for limited supply, and sees opportunities at the single name level. Karoui and Schiffman also discuss “absolutely remarkable” value in mortgage-backed securities, the default rate, private market relative value, downgrade risk from a forecast pick up in dealmaking and European bond opportunities. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 6
Corporate debt is well placed to withstand global turmoil caused by new US trade policy, according to Crescent Capital Group. “There is going to be a lot of volatility, but I think the markets are now becoming more accustomed to not reacting to those headlines,” said Chris Wright, the firm’s president and head of private debt. “Credit markets are pretty stable,” he tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence’s Julie Hung, in the latest Credit Edge podcast. Wright highlights pro-growth policies of the new US administration and presence of business-friendly people in very senior roles, and views tariff announcements as a negotiating tactic. Wright and Hung also discuss inflation, consumer trends, private debt returns and default risks, as well as the need for scale to compete in direct lending. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 30
As rates stay high, bank lenders retreat and volatility rises, Gramercy Funds Management sees significant growth in private credit to developing nations. “We’re just scratching the surface in emerging markets,” said Robert Koenigsberger, the firm’s founder, chief investment officer and managing partner, referring to private debt. “It’s really exciting to go deeper and broader in EM as an asset class with the tools that have proven to work already,” he tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence’s Tolu Alamutu, in the latest Credit Edge podcast. Koenigsberger and Alamutu also discuss EM private debt returns, default risks, real estate investment strategies, US tariffs and trade policy, as well as recent deals in Mexico and Turkey. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 23
UK-based Pemberton Asset Management has widened its scope to stay ahead in the increasingly competitive world of private credit. “You’ve got to have a range of products that people think are relevant and attractive,” said Symon Drake-Brockman, the firm’s co-founder and managing partner, referring to net asset value financing, collateralized loan obligations and risk sharing, among other businesses. “We can build large verticals in each one of those strategies,” he tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Silas Brown, and Bloomberg Intelligence’s Jeroen Julius, in the latest Credit Edge podcast. Drake-Brockman and Julius also discuss relative value between US and European private credit, areas of stress and whether US deregulation will boost competition from traditional lenders. “If you’re a chief executive of bank, you’ve got to make sure the pendulum doesn’t swing back the other way in four years’ time,” said Drake-Brockman. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 16
Centerbridge Scans Consumer Pain as Inflation Lingers (Podcast)Stubbornly high prices are a threat to consumers that could bleed through to credit markets, according to Centerbridge. “The rising cost of goods and interest rates will have an impact,” said Aaron Fink, the firm’s head of asset finance. “To the extent we see deterioration in jobs, and in the labor market more broadly, that’ll be problematic,” he tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Carmen Arroyo, and Bloomberg Intelligence’s Himanshu Bakshi in the latest Credit Edge podcast. Despite this, Centerbridge still sees significant opportunity in consumer finance. Fink and Bakshi also discuss how a new US administration will affect private credit via trade policy and regulation, growth in fundraising from private wealth and retail, as well as investment in data centers to support artificial intelligence. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 9
Debt spreads are set to tighten further as demand for yield rises and net supply remains constrained, according to First Eagle Alternative Credit, which is cautious about the year ahead. “Stay conservative — that’s the mantra that we’re operating under,” said Jim Fellows, the firm’s co-president and chief investment officer, referring to leveraged loans, private credit and high-yield bonds. “You don’t see a lot of screaming value,” he tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence senior credit analyst David Havens in the latest Credit Edge podcast. Havens and Fellows also discuss opportunity in asset-based lending, middle-market loan pricing and covenant trends, as well as the outlook for buyout finance and private credit defaults. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 24, 2024
A sustained period of elevated interest rates has the potential to cause pain in the fastest-growing part of corporate debt, according to RBC Global Asset Management. “We are concerned about how the direct lending private credit space would deal with a higher-for-longer world,” said Andrzej Skiba, the firm’s head of US fixed income. “You’re much better off in public markets because the leverage profile, the interest coverage ratios are just so much better,” he tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence senior credit analyst Mike Holland, in the latest Credit Edge podcast. Holland and Skiba also discuss value in financial-sector debt, technology and media bond opportunities, coercive liability management exercises and 2025 bond market returns. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 19, 2024
Private credit could become a $40 trillion market in five years, according to Apollo Global Management. “We’re going to get there really soon,” Akila Grewal, the firm’s global head of credit product, tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Matt Geudtner in the latest Credit Edge podcast. Currently, “we estimate it’s a $20 trillion market,” she adds, referring to asset-based finance. Grewal and Geudtner also discuss relative risk and returns between public and private markets, retail investment, real estate opportunities, advantages for borrowers to raising capital privately and the fundraising environment. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 17, 2024
Credit spreads are poised to hit record tight levels in the first quarter, even as debt issuance rises, according to participants in this special 2025 outlook edition of the Credit Edge podcast, hosted by Bloomberg’s James Crombie. We discuss bonds, loans, private credit — and bourbon — with the following guests: Kathy Jones, chief fixed income strategist at the Schwab Center for Financial Research; Ana Arsov, global head of private credit at Moody’s; Matt Brill, Invesco’s head of North America investment-grade credit; Meghan Robson, BNP Paribas’ head of US credit strategy; Meghan Graper, global head of debt capital markets at Barclays; Winnie Cisar, global head of strategy at CreditSights; Matt Mish, head of credit strategy at UBS; Oleg Melentyev, Bank of America’s head of high-yield credit strategy; and Aidan Cheslin, senior credit analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 12, 2024
Swelling demand for limited supply of corporate bonds and loans could spell trouble for credit markets, according to PineBridge Investments. “The thing that gives me a lot of pause right now — and some concern — is the lack of net new supply versus the amount of demand out there,” said Jeremy Burton, the firm’s portfolio manager for US high yield and leveraged loans. “That leads to the risk that the market as a whole will make subpar credit decisions,” he tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence senior credit analyst Jody Lurie, in the latest Credit Edge podcast. Burton and Lurie also discuss the state of the consumer, default rates, coercive liability management, as well as risks in the media, health care and software sectors. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 5, 2024
Real estate and private equity are a better investment than direct lending, according to JPMorgan Asset Management. Those two have repriced on higher rates, while private credit hasn’t, Gabriela Santos, the firm’s chief market strategist for the Americas tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence senior credit analyst Robert Schiffman, in the latest Credit Edge podcast. “It’s been interesting to see signs that actually commercial real estate seems to be bottoming and turning around,” said Santos. Santos and Schiffman also discuss the likelihood of bond spreads staying tight, CCC bond risk, the market impact of trade wars and the technology sector debt outlook. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 27, 2024
Homeowners cashing out after a surge in real estate prices presents a major opportunity for debt investors, according to TPG Angelo Gordon. “We’re seeing the evolution of home equity products,” said TJ Durkin, the firm’s head of structured credit and specialty finance. “There could be $150 to $200 billion of origination per year, with a $2 trillion really addressable market there,” Durkin tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Carmen Arroyo, and Bloomberg Intelligence senior credit analyst David Havens in the latest Credit Edge podcast. Durkin and Havens also discuss private debt, asset-based finance, commercial real estate, M&A and residential solar energy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 21, 2024
Private credit to risky borrowers that need a lifeline is poised to boom as rates stay high, according to Oaktree Capital Management. “You’re going to see a lot of what they call rescue financing,” said David Rosenberg, head of liquid performing credit at Oaktree. “That’s going to be one of the greatest opportunities we’ve seen in a decade.” Loans to troubled companies will focus on sectors that have seen most leveraged buyout activity, like technology and health care, Rosenberg tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence senior credit analyst Jean-Yves Coupin in the latest Credit Edge podcast. Rosenberg and Coupin also discuss liability management, creditor-on-creditor violence, private debt stress, the M&A outlook, European investment opportunities and geopolitical risks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 14, 2024
Sustainable finance can keep growing despite potential headwinds from the next US administration, according to Nikko Asset Management. “If the political side is not asking for disclosure on strategies and updates on ESG, we as portfolio managers have to ask,” said Holger Mertens, Nikko’s head of global credit, referring to environmental, social and governance standards. “It’s our job to make sure we’re buying assets at the right price,” Mertens tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence senior credit analyst Tolu Alamutu in the latest Credit Edge podcast. Mertens and Alamutu also discuss ESG debt returns, energy transition, issuance forecasts and real estate risks such as stranded assets. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 7, 2024
The US economy heading for a potentially “turbulent landing” may spell trouble for junk bonds, according to Colleen Cunniffe, head of global taxable credit research at Vanguard. “We’re actually relatively cautious on high yield at the moment from a broad perspective,” Cunniffe tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence’s Himanshu Bakshi in the latest Credit Edge podcast. The world’s second-largest asset manager prefers debt rated BBB, bonds from utilities and banks, as well as asset-backed securities in the auto sector. Cunniffe and Bakshi also discuss commercial mortgage-backed securities, the impact of consumer stress on bank asset quality and emerging markets. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 31, 2024
Lending directly to middle-market US-based companies is the best opportunity in credit markets, offering double-digit yields, according to Randy Schwimmer, vice chairman at Churchill Asset Management. “We probably only have a small handful of lenders that we’re competing against,” Schwimmer tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence’s Mike Holland in the latest Credit Edge podcast. “This right now is undiscovered value that is hiding in plain sight,” added Schwimmer, whose firm specializes in mid-market debt deals. Schwimmer and Holland also discuss loan margin and covenant trends, fundraising, private credit innovation, the impact of higher-for-longer rates and regulation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 27, 2024
Reports of active management's demise have been greatly exaggerated. Active continues to grow and evolve in ETFs while mutual funds prosper and define benefit plans. Bloomberg Intelligence strategy team uncover active opportunities and glean insights from active managers and those who cover the industry. Listen to Inside Active by Bloomberg Intelligence . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 24, 2024
High-grade US corporate bond issuance will rise again in 2025, building on this year’s record-setting pace, according to Goldman Sachs. “There’s a lot of growth in the economy that needs to take place, as well as all of the refi,” Jonny Fine, Goldman’s global head of investment grade debt tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and and Bloomberg Intelligence’s Arnold Kakuda in the latest Credit Edge podcast. Refinancing will account for the bulk of the sales, while infrastructure finance and buyouts will boost volume as the economy expands. Fine and Kakuda also discuss the rise of private credit, how regulation and Basel endgame will affect bond markets and the differences between bank financing in the US and Europe, including Additional Tier 1 bonds. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 17, 2024
Private debt doesn’t offer high enough returns to justify the growing risks, according to Pimco. “Fundamentals are deteriorating in more levered portions of the credit markets,” said Mohit Mittal, chief investment officer for core strategies at Pimco. “You’re seeing more complacency, so you have to be very thoughtful, you have to be very careful.” Investment-grade direct lending pays only half the premium needed to compensate for worse liquidity than in public markets and rising fundamental concerns, Mittal tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Irene Garcia Perez and Bloomberg Intelligence’s Stephen Flynn in the latest Credit Edge podcast. Mittal and Flynn also discuss the outlook for the telecoms and the cable media sector, including consolidation and deleveraging. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 10, 2024
Schroders Capital is seeing growing interest in private debt from investors looking to diversify as returns in public markets decline. It’s finding the best relative value in commercial real estate where over-exposed regional banks can no longer lend. “The most interesting opportunity, I think is looking where there’s emotional bias and fear,” says Michelle Russell-Dowe, co-head of private debt and credit alternatives at the asset manager, in the latest Credit Edge podcast. Schroders also likes residential real estate and equipment finance, Russell-Dowe tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence senior credit analyst David Havens. Russell-Dowe and Havens also discuss new investors in private credit like retail, high-net-worth individuals and family offices. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 3, 2024
Blackstone Inc. expects private credit to balloon to $30 trillion in size, fueled by the energy transition, housing and data center lending. “We’re really expanding the opportunity set from quite a narrow part of the market to really a mainstream part,” said Rob Horn, global head of infrastructure and asset-based credit at Blackstone. “Not only can we get hard-asset collateral — which differs from what they get in the public market — but we also get a premium return,” Horn tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence senior credit analyst Tolu Alamutu in the latest Credit Edge podcast. Horn and Alamutu also discuss the outlook for residential real estate. “It’s still going to be a decent year, despite the fact that we have this troubling geopolitical risk backdrop,” says Alamutu. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 26, 2024
The $1.7 trillion private credit market faces several challenges after years of rapid growth, according Ana Arsov, global head of private credit at Moody’s Ratings. “It’s going to be very important to get more transparency from the banks about is there some kind of synthetic leverage, additional leverage, coming to this market,” Arsov tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence senior credit analyst David Havens in the latest Credit Edge podcast. Arsov and Havens also debate the impact of exchange-traded funds and broader implications of private debt stress. “It just doesn’t seem like the risk-transmission mechanism is nearly as potent in the way that private credit is structured today, as it has been in maybe some other areas that have caused systemic problems in the past,” says Havens. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 19, 2024
Victory for Kamala Harris in the US election would boost the bonds of basic industries, capital goods companies and utilities, according to Matt Mish, head of credit strategy at UBS. “A lot of that we think is tied to the preservation of the inflation reduction act and support of many of the Biden-era stimulus policies,” Mish tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence senior credit analyst Julie Hung in the latest Credit Edge podcast. Conversely, a win for Democrats would be a drag on debt in the telecoms, tech, banks and auto sectors. Victory for Donald Trump would be positive for energy, autos and aerospace defense, Mish adds. Also in this episode, Mish and Hung debate the outlook for US consumers and stress in private credit markets. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 12, 2024
As commercial real estate continues to menace banks and investors, Goldman Sachs Asset Management is leaning into the debt. “What we’ve been able to do is find a lot of opportunities in commercial mortgage-backed securities,” Lindsay Rosner, head of multi-sector investing at the company, told Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence credit analyst Jody Lurie in the latest Credit Edge podcast. “It’s a good portion of our portfolio, and we think it generates a decent amount of carry.” In this episode, Rosner and Lurie also debate the outlook for retail and leisure sector companies as lower-income US consumers come under pressure. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 5, 2024
Funding companies with unsustainable debt loads has been “the best opportunity in the corporate credit market over the last year or two,” Jimmy Levin, Sculptor Capital Management’s chief investment officer, says in Bloomberg Intelligence’s Credit Edge podcast. Separately, Sculptor expects substantial growth in asset-based finance, where Levin sees double-digit returns, he tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Irene Garcia Perez, and BI credit analyst Stephane Kovatchev. Also in this episode, Levin and Kovatchev discuss the outlook for rates, the resilience of US consumers and positioning in the debt of cyclical industrial companies. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 29, 2024
Norinchukin Bank faces significant losses from the sale of US and European sovereign bonds that tumbled as interest rates rose, and other financial institutions may also be exposed. “The bank is still losing more than a billion dollars a quarter,” says Bloomberg Intelligence senior credit analyst Pri de Silva, referring to the Japanese agricultural bank also known as Nochu. “They need to rip that band aid off and address negative carry in the securities portfolio,” de Silva tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie in the latest Credit Edge podcast. De Silva also weighs the outlook for Asia’s Additional Tier 1 bond market, where risk premia are shrinking as supply evaporates. Also in this episode, Mary Ellen Olson, senior credit analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence, discusses the turnaround at India’s Vedanta, which may tap the US dollar bond market, as well as the impact of China’s economic slowdown on Asian miners. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 22, 2024
Lending to law firms against portfolios of legal assets can generate hefty returns, according to North Wall Capital, the London-based credit investor. “We target 25%-plus IRRs, and we have historically outperformed that,” Fabian Chrobog, its chief investment officer and founder, says in Bloomberg Intelligence’s Credit Edge podcast. Separately, North Wall aims to make “mid teens” gains in middle-market private credit, Chrobog tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and BI senior credit analyst Tolu Alamutu. Also in this episode, Chrobog and Alamutu discuss creditor protections, real estate opportunity and the advantages of geographical diversification. “I can see the returns in the US decreasing while I can see still some really interesting opportunities in Europe,” says Chrobog. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 15, 2024
AllianceBernstein sees opportunity in European and emerging market credit markets and is steering clear of energy sector debt. “High-quality European high yield, on a dollar-hedged basis, is attractive,” Will Smith, director of U.S. high-yield credit at AllianceBernstein, says in the latest Credit Edge podcast from Bloomberg Intelligence. In EM corporate bonds, “you’re getting paid a lot more risk premium there — a lot more in spreads than you are in developed market credit markets,” Smith tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence senior credit analyst Spencer Cutter. Smith and Cutter also discuss relative value and risks in oil and gas company debt. “Your antenna goes off when energy companies start returning capital to shareholders,” says Smith. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 1, 2024
There are potential catalysts for the debt of cruise lines like Carnival and Royal Caribbean, as well as Rolls Royce and Ford, according to Bloomberg Intelligence. BI senior analysts Stephen Flynn and Aidan Cheslin join James Crombie of Bloomberg News in this edition of BI’s Credit Edge podcast to discuss the outlook for US and European credit, identifying situations where their teams’ research differs with consensus. UBS and Jaguar Land Rover have bonds trading wide to peers that could tighten, while others like Disney and Chesapeake face significant headwinds. Flynn and Cheslin also discuss the macroeconomic and geopolitical outlook and risks of a broad credit-market correction. “There seems to be a lack of confidence in the rarefied valuation levels we’re at,” said Cheslin. “That’s something that can unwind pretty quickly.” Please note: The Credit Edge podcast is going on vacation, and won’t be published Aug. 8. The next episode will be on Aug. 15. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 25, 2024
Small-cap US companies are at risk of default as debt comes due and the economy slows, according to Alan McKnight chief investment officer at Regions Bank. “Look at the Russell 2000 — over 50% of those names are non-earners right now. They’re actually unprofitable,” McKnight says in the latest Credit Edge podcast from Bloomberg Intelligence. “There’s a lot of names in that sort of realm that could be on the tipping point, particularly in light of when they have to refinance their debt,” he tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence credit analyst Matthew Geudtner. McKnight sees particular stress on companies exposed to low-income US consumers. McKnight and Geudtner also discuss opportunities in the industrial and defense sectors, including major borrowers like Honeywell and Lockheed Martin. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 18, 2024
Antares Capital, the US-based private credit firm, is looking to expand in Europe and also sees opportunity in real estate, infrastructure and asset-backed finance. “In order to scale, we’d probably need to do an acquisition,” Tim Lyne, the direct lender’s chief executive officer, says in the latest Credit Edge podcast from Bloomberg Intelligence. “We are constantly evaluating Europe,” he tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence senior credit analyst David Havens. Lyne and Havens also discuss Antares’ funding strategy, areas of market stress, fundraising and the broadening of the private credit investor base. “You’re beginning to see this democratization of the asset class,” says Lyne. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 11, 2024
Politics and commercial real estate are the biggest perils for banks, according to Bloomberg Intelligence senior credit analysts Arnold Kakuda and Jeroen Julius. “In terms of CRE, it hits mostly the smaller regional banks,” Kakuda tells Bloomberg News senior editor James Crombie in the latest Credit Edge podcast from Bloomberg Intelligence. “If the sovereign rating comes down or is put on negative outlook, bank ratings are likely to follow,” Julius says, referring to European financial institutions. In addition, Julius and Kakuda debate unrealized losses sitting on balance sheets, consolidation, regulation and the outlook for more bank bond issuance. They also weigh opportunities in Additional Tier 1 and preferred debt. “You get high-yield returns for IG risk,” says Kakuda, speaking of the latter. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 3, 2024
Private credit markets are under pressure from high interest rates, while excess demand is keeping spreads low, according to Wayne Dahl, co-portfolio manager for Oaktree’s global credit and investment grade solutions strategies. “I think there will be some general stress,” says Dahl in the latest Credit Edge podcast from Bloomberg Intelligence. “When people get excited, they put money in — the end investor has no choice but to invest that, and therefore you’ll maybe see spreads compress a little bit more than would otherwise be warranted,” Dahl tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and BI Senior Credit Analyst Mike Holland. Also in this episode, Dahl and Holland discuss risk in the health care sector, as well as opportunities in consumer staples, insurance and securitized credit. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 27, 2024
Commercial mortgage-backed securities are the best credit opportunity for the next 12 months, according to Oded Manor, global head of fixed income manager research at BlackRock. “CMBS is super-interesting because everyone hates it — or many people hate it,” says Manor in the latest Credit Edge podcast from Bloomberg Intelligence. “That market is already pricing a lot of the negative news, unlike many other parts,” Manor tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and BI Senior Credit Analyst Jody Lurie. Also in this episode, Manor and Lurie discuss liquidity risk, as well as relative value between bonds and loans. In addition, Manor talks about headwinds in European credit markets from the upcoming French election. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 20, 2024
Up to a quarter of Europe’s high-yield borrowers can’t afford to pay the current high interest rates to refinance debt that’s coming due, according to alternative asset manager Arini. “The market has been very active in refinancing these companies but we still have a lot to do,” says Hamza Lemssouguer, founder and chief investment officer of Arini, in the latest Credit Edge podcast from Bloomberg Intelligence. For as much as 25% of the market, “it’s just impossible to afford the current interest rates,” Lemssouguer tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Giulia Morpurgo, and Bloomberg Intelligence Senior Credit Analyst Tolu Alamutu. Also in this episode, Lemssouguer and Alamutu discuss challenges in the commercial and residential real estate sector. And Lemssouguer talks about how to invest in debt collectors. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 13, 2024
Private credit’s double-digit returns are here to stay, even as interest rates drop and risks rise, according to Arcmont Asset Management. “Our spreads have been very consistent for a decade,” says Mattis Poetter, the European private debt firm’s co-chief investment officer, in the latest Credit Edge podcast from Bloomberg Intelligence. “I think that’s sustainable,” he tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Kat Hidalgo, and Bloomberg Intelligence Senior Credit Analyst Robert Schiffman. In addition, Arcmont’s co-CIO discusses private debt defaults, pay-in-kind structures, debt-for-equity swaps and opportunities in net-asset-value financing. Also in this episode, Poetter and Schiffman weigh market dislocations and opportunities for rescue financing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 6, 2024
The best credit investments are in asset-backed securities, particularly those linked to US households, according to JPMorgan Asset Management. “We absolutely see opportunities for yield pickup there,” says Kay Herr, the firm’s chief investment officer for US fixed income, in the latest Credit Edge podcast from Bloomberg Intelligence. “The consumer’s going to be OK,” she tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence Senior Credit Analyst Julie Hung. The CIO meanwhile flags potential risks building in private credit that could ripple through high-yield debt markets. Also in this episode, Herr and Hung discuss retail trends as high- and low-income consumers diverge. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 30, 2024
US companies with about $200 billion in debt — 10% of the junk market — can’t survive at prevailing elevated interest rates, according to Bank of America. “At the bottom decile, we are looking at issuers that are in most likelihood not going to be able to come out of this high-rate episode without doing something to their balance sheet,” says Oleg Melentyev, head of US high-yield strategy at Bank of America, in the latest Credit Edge podcast from Bloomberg Intelligence. “Half of that segment is free-cash-flow negative unless the Fed cuts interest rates soon and deep — which is a pretty weak assumption,” he tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence Credit Analyst Matthew Geudtner. Also in this episode, Melentyev and Geudtner discuss the outlook for companies in the commodity and capital goods sectors. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 23, 2024
Invesco is buying real estate investment trust debt and preferred bonds from banks, betting that the US economy stays strong and interest rates eventually fall. “If you’re looking at yield, it is kind of a golden age for bonds,” says Matt Brill, the $1.6 trillion money manager’s head of North America investment-grade credit, in the latest Credit Edge podcast from Bloomberg Intelligence. “You’re getting paid to wait and at some point here, you’re going to get that kicker of the Fed starting to cut,” he tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence Senior Credit Analyst Tolu Alamutu. Also in this episode, Brill and Alamutu discuss commercial real estate risks and opportunities as rates stay high. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 16, 2024
Household debt is a good investment as the US economy remains strong, Jeremy Forster, portfolio manager at Wellington Management, says in the latest Credit Edge podcast from Bloomberg Intelligence. “We do still think that the US consumer is in really good shape,” he tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence Senior Credit Analyst Arnold Kakuda. Forster expects “compelling” returns in fixed income for 2024, which he thinks will be the year of the bond. In addition, Wellington likes financial sector and electric utility debt. Forster and Kakuda also debate liability-driven investing and risk in the banking sector as interest rates stay high. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 9, 2024
Rising private credit stress will inflict losses on investors and spur volatility, Jerry Cudzil, portfolio manager at TCW Group, says in the latest Credit Edge podcast from Bloomberg Intelligence. “Default rates are going to pick up in a really material way in private credit,” he tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence Senior Credit Analyst David Havens. “We are currently seeing some real stress,” says Cudzil, who expects “accidents” as documentation weakens and pay-in-kind deals proliferate. Cudzil and Havens also discuss the broader financial markets implications of this turbulence, and how current leverage levels compare with 2007. TCW is underweight corporate credit but sees opportunity in collateralized loan obligations and agency mortgages. Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 2, 2024
Western Asset Management Co. sees “compelling” opportunities in commercial real estate debt, Co-Chief Investment Officer Michael Buchanan says in the latest Credit Edge podcast from Bloomberg Intelligence. This includes loans for warehouses, distribution centers and hotels, he tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence Senior Credit Analyst Stephen Flynn, adding that the firm is cautious on offices. In addition, Western Asset likes collateralized loan obligations and debt from companies in the communications sector. Also in this episode, Buchanan and Flynn discuss regulatory risk in mergers and acquisitions, and how investors navigate increasingly aggressive liability management transactions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 25, 2024
Altice ‘Jenga Tower’ Menaces Global Credit Markets (Podcast)Altice distress is ripping through global credit markets and setting some ugly precedents for debt investors. Aidan Cheslin from Bloomberg Intelligence joins Irene Garcia Perez, Eleanor Duncan and James Crombie with Bloomberg News to discuss the ongoing drama. Billionaire owner Patrick Drahi has taken a combative approach to creditors, who are joining forces in an effort to avoid steep losses. Credit rating downgrades and asset price falls at Altice France — which has more than €24 billion ($25.6 billion) in debt — make lenders cautious and undermine the ability of other risky companies to refinance debt. The French telecom is “teetering like a Jenga tower with unsustainable leverage and negative free cash flow,” according to BI’s Cheslin. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 18, 2024
Corporate debt markets are poised to perform well provided monetary policy doesn’t get tighter, according to Morgan Stanley. “As a credit investor, the thing that matters most is that the next Fed policy action is not a hike,” Vishy Tirupattur, the bank’s chief fixed income strategist, tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence’s Spencer Cutter. “The bar for a hike is very high,” he adds. Morgan Stanley still expects three rate cuts from the Federal Reserve this year, starting in July. Tirupattur favors leveraged loans, CCC rated bonds and debt from companies in the energy sector. Also in this podcast, Tirupattur discusses the private credit opportunity and commercial real estate risks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 11, 2024
The threat of weak companies not being able to pay their debts is rising as interest rates stay elevated. “On high yield and loans, I do think that risks are growing that you could see a reset in spreads,” Meghan Robson, head of US credit strategy at BNP Paribas, tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence’s Mike Holland. “The obvious trigger for us would be that debate of rate hikes coming back,” Robson says in the latest Credit Edge podcast. BNP favors shorting some single B and CCC rated issuers whose credit spreads have tightened alot. “If rate cuts do seem to be pushed off more and more, I think there could be a sell off there,” said Robson. In addition, BNP favors bonds rated BBB, flags high-yield debt in the media sector as an opportunity, and expresses caution on the financial sector, given the likelihood of an earnings drag if the Federal Reserve doesn’t ease. “The biggest risk we’re watching is a red wave,” says Robson, when asked about the impact of the US presidential election on credit markets. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 4, 2024
Europe’s largest asset manager, Amundi, expects Additional Tier 1 bank bonds to extend gains in what it sees as a broadly positive market for corporate debt. “We’re obviously in this kind of Goldilocks scenario, I think, where the central bank put remains on the table,” Steven Fawn, head of global credit at Amundi Asset Management, tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence’s Stephane Kovatchev. “Sub-debt is one part of the market which we like,” Fawn says in the latest Credit Edge podcast, referring to subordinated bonds, including bank AT1s. In addition, the portfolio manager discusses Amundi’s macroeconomic outlook, fund flows and positioning by industry sector and ratings tier. Also in this episode, BI’s Kovatchev analyzes the impact of the Baltimore bridge collapse on the global supply chain. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 28, 2024
Altice’s debt woes pose a threat to the collateralized loan obligation market, says Gunther Stein, chief investment officer for US performing credit and CLOs at Sound Point Capital Management. “Altice is clearly an issue for Europe, and in particular the European CLO market,” Stein tells Bloomberg News’ Carmen Arroyo and James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence’s Robert Schiffman in the latest Credit Edge podcast. “It’s something we all have to be thoughtful around in terms of how we’re managing our portfolios,” he said, referring to investors’ exposure to borrowers with large capital structures. While the US leveraged finance market is bigger and more diversified than Europe, Altice is also a “relevant” borrower there, Stein adds. He expects higher-for-longer rates to boost leveraged loans and sees value in the technology and cable sectors, as well as health care companies like LifePoint. “There’s good value still in the leveraged loan space,” says Stein. In this episode, Sound Point also discusses CLO issuance, pricing and leveraged loan liquidity. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 21, 2024
Credit investors aren’t getting enough compensation for corporate credit risk, says Matthew Eagan, a portfolio manager and head of the full discretion team at Loomis Sayles & Co. “Judging from the spread levels, I think they’ve gone a bit too far,” Eagan tells Bloomberg News’ Lisa Lee and James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence’s Stephen Flynn in the latest Credit Edge podcast. He sees investment grade debt as an opportunity, given decent corporate earnings and the fact that debt costs are mostly locked in. Loomis likes BBB rated debt, as well as bonds issued by banks and media companies. Eagan also says ongoing concern about commercial real estate risk is not likely to hurt major banks, and should remain contained to smaller institutions. Also in this episode, BI’s Flynn analyzes improving credit prospects at Paramount Global and predicts a US election boost for iHeartMedia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 14, 2024
Asset-based lending is set to expand over the next 10 years at the same heady pace as private credit, according to Bruce Richards, CEO and Chairman of Marathon Asset Management. “The $100 billion middle-market lending and private-credit lending business in 2008 which grew to $1.7 trillion where it is today — a 17-fold increase — you’ll see the same thing happening in ABL in this next decade,” he tells Bloomberg News’ Lisa Lee and James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence’s Arnold Kakuda, in the latest Credit Edge podcast. “I love ABL,” said Richards, referring to loans backed by assets like consumer loans, aircraft and ships. In addition, Richards details how his firm is making returns that can exceed 20% buying office loans from banks, which are having to sell them for regulatory reasons. “Commercial real estate represents a lot of distress in the marketplace but also one of the greatest opportunities in the marketplace right now,” said Richards. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 7, 2024
Credit derivatives and securitizations offer high yields and can perform well even if the US economy tips into recession, says Jonathan Dorfman, managing principal and chief investment officer at Napier Park Global Capital. “In credit, for the first time in 15 years, you can actually create portfolios that give equity-like returns,” he tells Bloomberg News’ Lisa Lee and James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence’s Tolu Alamutu, in the latest Credit Edge podcast. Standardization and improved transparency have reduced risk in structured credit, which can make better inflation-adjusted gains than corporate bonds, he says. Dorfman also raises concerns about private credit — which doesn’t mark to market — noting “extraordinary” differences in pricing of the same asset by managers. In addition, Alamutu weighs the outlook for real estate as rates stay high for longer. That’s pushing more companies in the sector to borrow in public bond markets, she says. Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 29, 2024
Financial institutions are selling off consumer loans under pressure from regulators, setting up investors for significant gains, according to Mark Jenkins, head of global credit at Carlyle Group Inc. “Banks in the US in particular are managing down their risk-weighed assets, and that is creating a deluge of opportunities for us,” he tells Bloomberg News’ Lisa Lee and James Crombie, and Bloomberg Intelligence’s Robert Schiffman, in the latest Credit Edge podcast. Debt being offloaded by banks includes credit card, student and housing loans — which are repackaged into asset-backed securities — and is flowing at a clip Jenkins says he’s not seen before in his 33-year career. Carlyle is also finding elevated returns in high-grade private credit, though Jenkins says stress may show up in direct loans made to companies in 2020-2021, when prices were at an all-time high and rates fell to near zero. In this episode, Jenkins also discusses how Carlyle is testing artificial intelligence for investment decision making, but says it’s too soon to discern a credit-investment strategy focused on AI. “There are those opportunities, but they aren’t directly on the engine of AI — it’s really the infrastructure of AI that we would look to support and build out,” he says. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 22, 2024
Buyers of distressed real estate debt stand to make significant gains over the next few years, according to Joshua Pack, co-CEO at Fortress Investment Group. “This is going to be a trillion-dollar opportunity,” he said. Pack discusses how Fortress is getting ready for “a massive restructuring” in the sector with Bloomberg News’ Lisa Lee and James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence’s Tolu Alamutu in the latest Credit Edge podcast. The impact on banks will be long-lasting and not limited to smaller financial institutions, says Pack, who predicts more consolidation and liquidation. Also in this episode, Alamutu analyzes the real estate stress spreading through Europe that’s hurting banks, insurers and asset managers. Germany and Sweden are areas of concern, while Signa’s insolvency adds Austria to the list of hot spots, Alamutu says. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 15, 2024
US-style creditor-on-creditor violence spreading to Europe is a worry for loan investors, according to Camille McLeod-Salmon, portfolio manager at Fidelity International. “What we are focused on is this move that’s in the US towards creditor-on-creditor violence — and the shift that you’ve had there — and that translating into Europe,” she said. London-based McLeod-Salmon talks to Bloomberg News’ Lisa Lee and James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence’s Aidan Cheslin in the latest Credit Edge podcast. There are opportunities for investors in the technology and chemical sectors, she adds, predicting high-single-digit returns in European leveraged loans. Also in this episode, BI’s Cheslin weighs the outlook for Altice, which is shedding assets in a bid to reduce debt. The company has had to pay up to extend maturities and there’s a risk of divesting crown jewels in pursuit of fresh cash, Cheslin says. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 8, 2024
Geopolitics are a potential menace to public debt markets that could present opportunities for private lenders, according to Mike Dennis, co-head of European credit at Ares Management. “The capital markets in general are still pretty fragile,” Dennis tells Bloomberg News’ Lisa Lee and James Crombie in the latest Credit Edge podcast. “It wouldn’t take much for that liquidity to reverse out of the system,” he said. Volatility may open the door for private credit firms to participate more in larger corporate loan deals, Dennis says, adding that there’s more demand for European transactions than supply. Also in this episode, Bloomberg Intelligence’s Stephane Kovatchev analyzes the shipping sector after a 300% increase in freight rates. Greater supply of ships coupled with fading demand are expected to relieve some of the price pressure, Kovatchev says. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 1, 2024
Collateralized loan obligations are among the best debt investment opportunities for this year, according to John Wright, global head of credit at Bain Capital. Spreads on the structured investment vehicles, which repackage leveraged loans into bonds of varying risk, may tighten further, even as default rates rise, Wright tells Bloomberg News’ Lisa Lee and James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence’s Mike Holland in the latest Credit Edge podcast. He also sees robust potential for growth in India and Australia, as well as in private credit, especially for buyouts. Slim recovery rates in the loan market are among the biggest worries. Also in this episode, BI’s Holland analyzes the outlook for WeightWatchers, whose bonds are dropping. The company faces a tough road ahead but there is a path to survival, Holland says. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 25, 2024
The US economy is at risk of tipping into recession in the second half of this year, putting pressure on corporate debt markets, says Chris Alwine, global head of credit at Vanguard. “What would precipitate that shallow recession is that corporations are just not hiring, with a modest increase in layoffs,” said Alwine. Vanguard, one of the biggest money managers in the world, with $8.6 trillion in assets, is cautious on junk-rated debt, Alwine tells Bloomberg News’ Lisa Lee and James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence’s Stephen Flynn in the latest Credit Edge podcast. He meanwhile sees opportunity in the bonds of large financial institutions. Also in this episode, BI’s Flynn analyzes the debt troubles at Dish Network Corp. and what it means for the rest of the sector. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 18, 2024
Private debt needs to get better at explaining itself as the $1.6 trillion asset class goes mainstream, according to James Reynolds, global head of direct lending at Goldman Sachs. “We collectively need to just demystify what we do — which is in simple words, lending to corporates,” Reynolds tells Bloomberg News’ Lisa Lee and James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence’s David Havens in the latest Credit Edge podcast. Goldman wants to double the size of its $110 billion private credit business. Reynolds sees growth opportunities in Asia, investment-grade loans and leveraged finance, as well as more secondary trade in private debt. Also in this episode, BI’s Havens analyzes the rush by business development companies (BCDs) to go public as valuations soar. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 11, 2024
Private-debt firms are set to consolidate as larger companies dominate deal flow, according to Marc Chowrimootoo, portfolio manager at Hayfin Capital Management. “We’re seeing a concentration within fewer hands,” Chowrimootoo tells Bloomberg News’ Lisa Lee and James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence’s Julie Hung in the latest Credit Edge podcast. “That trend is going to continue.” He identifies debt refinancing as the big opportunity for private lenders in 2024. Hayfin likes the health-care and software sectors, while avoiding smaller borrowers that are struggling with higher rates. In addition, BI’s Hung weighs the impact on food and drink companies of weight-loss drugs like Ozempic. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 4, 2024
Commercial real estate faces a tough 2024 as trillions of dollars in debt comes due and refinancing gets harder, according to Neil Callanan, corporate finance czar at Bloomberg News. Offices in financial centers are especially under pressure after banks tightened lending standards, Callanan tells Bloomberg senior editor James Crombie in the latest episode of the BI Credit Edge Podcast. He’s watching for delayed and canceled new projects and short selling of real estate companies as signals of distress. In addition, Jody Lurie, Bloomberg Intelligence credit analyst, weighs the outlook for leisure-sector bonds after a stellar year in 2023. Gains are expected at a slower pace, while some junk cruise operators are heading for investment grade, according to Lurie. Business travel will boost hotels, while car rental firms are more challenged, she adds. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 21, 2023
New entrants to the rapidly-growing private credit market, scrambling to deploy capital as demand exceeds supply, risk making loans that don’t perform well, according to Alan Schrager, senior partner and portfolio manager at Oak Hill Advisors. “You sort of love private credit tourists who potentially do bad deals, because bad deals that ultimately you don’t own make you look good on a relative basis,” Schrager says. “Even though we do think private credit is really cheap, we are trying to stay high quality,” Schrager tells Bloomberg News senior reporter Lisa Lee senior editor James Crombie in the latest episode of the Credit Edge podcast. Also in this episode, Bloomberg Intelligence senior credit analyst Arnold Kakuda weighs the outlook for banks heading into a tougher macro environment next year. Large financial institutions are well prepared for credit risk after withdrawing from some markets that private lenders stepped into fill, and they will be big bond issuers in January, according to Kakuda. Regional banks are more exposed to commercial real estate stress, he adds. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 15, 2023
Private credit will hog the limelight in 2024, with ever-larger deals and continued expansion, even as high rates and a slowing economy add risks. To discuss the outlook for next year, Paula Seligson and Lisa Lee — senior reporters in Bloomberg’s global private credit news team — join senior editor James Crombie in the latest episode of the Credit Edge podcast. Private debt will likely attract more investors — and the attention of regulators seeking transparency. Also in this episode, Bloomberg Intelligence credit analyst Rena Kwok weighs the resilience of Asean banks amid a Chinese economic slowdown. She identifies relative value in Bangkok Bank bonds and sees risks across the board from elevated interest rates. Private credit activity has been muted in the region, but it’s something to watch for next year, Kwok says. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 8, 2023
More companies will default on their debt next year because of higher rates and slower earnings, but there won’t be a widespread crisis, says Christopher Sheldon, co-head of credit and markets at KKR. “We don’t think it’s Armageddon,” he tells Bloomberg News senior reporter Lisa Lee and senior editor James Crombie in this episode of the Credit Edge podcast. He expects continued stress in the retail and health-care sectors — and also sees big opportunity in asset-based finance. In addition, Bloomberg Intelligence credit analyst Sharon Chen weighs the outlook for Indian utilities, including relative value in the bonds of Adani. Companies borrowing more cheaply in local markets reduced the need to raise debt abroad. Investors are meanwhile shifting into Indian credit and out of China, which is suffering real estate distress, Chen says. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 30, 2023
Private credit offers double-digit returns with structures that can reduce risk, just as increased competition boosts secondary trading options, says Mark Attanasio, co-founder of Crescent Capital. “We don’t see a bubble yet,” he tells Bloomberg News senior reporter Lisa Lee and senior editor James Crombie in this episode of the Credit Edge podcast. He avoids transport and energy, but is looking to participate in private loans in other sectors across the US and Europe. Attanasio also discusses the performance of his Milwaukee Brewers baseball business after rule changes shortened the game, and takes questions on his growing stake in Norwich City football club. In addition, Bloomberg Intelligence senior credit analyst Stephen Flynn weighs the outlook for companies in the communications sector, which is lagging a high-yield bond rally amid distress at some of the biggest borrowers. Dish, Altice and Lumen have significant leverage and maturity wall challenges, while cashflow-rich companies like Charter Communications are in good shape for 2024, he says. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 22, 2023
When fast-food chain Raising Cane’s tapped the US capital market this month, it revealed a $7.6 billion fortune held by CEO Todd Graves. Strong demand for the chicken-finger maker’s bonds highlights growing investor appetite for risky debt as the US economy appears headed for a soft landing, Bloomberg News reporter Michael Tobin tells Bloomberg senior editor James Crombie in this episode of the Credit Edge podcast. And it shows consumer spending holding up despite inflationary pressures, Tobin says. Also in this episode, Bloomberg Intelligence senior analyst Mike Holland weighs the outlook for US health care. Some highly-indebted companies like Community Health Systems and Bausch Health are hitting a wall as liquidity dries up, while others like HCA Healthcare are thriving, Holland says. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 16, 2023
Private credit’s rapid growth and lack of transparency are concerns to be monitored as funding costs jump, says Fraser Lundie, head of fixed income at Federated Hermes in London. Steep rises in interest payments for lower-rated companies are “not going to be absorbed cleanly and easily,” he tells Bloomberg News senior reporter Lisa Lee and senior editor James Crombie. “The lack of look through is something that I find it quite difficult to have conviction on,” adds Lundie, referring to private debt. Federated Hermes manages about $715 billion in assets. Also in this episode of Credit Edge, Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Pri de Silva analyzes the additional tier 1 bond market, which is staging a comeback and offering double-digit returns. More issuance from Japanese banks provides opportunities for diversification, he adds. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 9, 2023
WeWork Inc. — known for free-flowing booze and a fleeting $47 billion valuation — declared bankruptcy just two years after going public. This cautionary tale of over-indebtedness highlights the perils for investors who fall in love with businesses they don’t really understand, says Bloomberg News senior reporter Reshmi Basu. And it’s a warning for lenders to astronomically-valued start-ups as borrowers struggle with soaring debt payments, Basu tells Bloomberg senior editor James Crombie. Also in this episode of Credit Edge, Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Cecilia Chan analyzes US efforts to keep advanced chips out of China — and the fallout for Asia’s technology sector. In addition, Chan discusses how Macau’s casino comeback is boosting gaming companies. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 2, 2023
Private lending is the best opportunity in debt markets today, says Tristram Leach, co-head of European credit at Apollo Global Management. “If I had to pick a single area that I think you’re meant to lean in to — and frankly, where we’re seeing clients lean in to as well — it is private credit,” he tells Bloomberg News senior reporter Lisa Lee and senior editor James Crombie. An extra 200 bps over publicly syndicated loans is enough compensation for the relative lack of liquidity, he adds. Also in this episode of the Credit Edge, Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Matthew Geudtner weighs the benefits to company pension plans from higher rates. And he flags Raytheon, a unit of RTX, as one to watch after it announced a $10 billion debt-funded share buyback program. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 26, 2023
Opportunities for robust returns in debt markets are the best “in quite some time,” despite rising default risk, says Rob Zable, global head of liquid credit strategies at Blackstone. In this episode of the Credit Edge, Bloomberg News senior reporter Lisa Lee and senior editor James Crombie quiz Zable on his optimistic outlook — and where he sees risk. Plus Bloomberg Intelligence analyst David Havens weighs the outlook for private credit and business development companies. BDCs are well positioned to weather a downturn in the US economy, says Havens. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 19, 2023
The resignation of a top Texas bankruptcy judge after it emerged he was dating a leading lawyer has rocked the insolvency world. To analyze the fallout, we’re joined by Steven Church and Amelia Pollard from Bloomberg News. Creditors may now challenge some of the judge’s prior rulings, while his downfall revives scrutiny of where companies are filing for bankruptcy. Also in this episode of the Credit Edge, Bloomberg News senior editor James Crombie asks Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Spencer Cutter about a consolidation wave in the energy sector. Exxon Mobil’s acquisition of Pioneer Natural Resources may spur oil and gas sector consolidation that would boost bonds, Cutter says. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 12, 2023
Fortune favors the bold in credit markets this year, with the biggest returns coming from the highest-risk debt. To analyze why and what’s next, we’re joined by Gowri Gurumurthy, a veteran high-yield bond reporter at Bloomberg News. Triple C rated bonds and leveraged loans are poised to extend gains barring a major geopolitical shock, while defaults will probably stay low, Gurumurthy says. Also in this episode of the Credit Edge, Bloomberg News senior editor James Crombie asks Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Robert Schiffman about the outlook for the technology sector amid an explosion in artificial intelligence. Nvidia is the poster child for AI, with huge potential to increase free cash flow, Schiffman says. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 5, 2023
The $8 trillion mortgage-bond market plunged to levels rarely seen since the global financial crisis as Treasury yields surged. To analyze why and what’s next, we’re joined by Christopher Maloney, mortgage strategist at BOK Financial Capital Markets, and Bloomberg News reporter Scott Carpenter. Homebuyers face the threat of even larger debt payments, while credit investors may find an opportunity to buy cheap bonds. Also in this episode of the Credit Edge, Bloomberg News senior editor James Crombie asks Bloomberg Intelligence senior credit analyst Arnold Kakuda about the outlook for financial institutions following this year’s banking crisis. Wall Street faces more regulatory pressure just as private lenders get more aggressive, Kakuda says. Listen to this episode here on the Bloomberg Terminal and on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 28, 2023
China’s property crisis has lurched into a perilous new phase — with significant implications for the world’s second-largest economy, according to Bloomberg News’ Alice Huang. The deepening distress hurts other industries and repels foreign investors, Huang says. In this episode of the Credit Edge, Bloomberg News senior editor James Crombie also asks Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Spencer Cutter about growing risks to energy debt from depressed natural gas prices. Smaller producers are most vulnerable as some see cash flow turn negative, Cutter says. Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 21, 2023
Leveraged finance has sprung back to life with jumbo buyout deals and dividend loans, according to Bloomberg News’ Claire Ruckin. Credit investors are increasingly hungry for risk and companies are piling on debt amid hopes of a soft landing and lower rates ahead, Ruckin says. In this episode of the Credit Edge, Bloomberg News senior editor James Crombie also asks Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Tolu Alamutu about growing distress in real estate. Trouble has spread through Sweden and other parts of Europe, while also putting pressure on financial institutions, Alamutu says. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 14, 2023
Companies hitting the bond market at record pace left investors hungry for more, according to Bloomberg News’ Caleb Mutua. The deluge will be short-lived as borrowers retreat, waiting for interest rates to come back down, Mutua says. In this episode of the Credit Edge Podcast, Bloomberg News senior editor James Crombie also asks Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Mary Ellen Olson about what’s next for Vedanta Resources Ltd., the junk-rated Indian mining company with a pile of debt coming due. Extending bond maturities would buy the company time to sell assets and generate much-needed cash, Olson says. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 7, 2023
Hedge funds are jumping into the collateralized loan obligation market in pursuit of fat and steady returns, according to Bloomberg News’ Lisa Lee. CLOs are meanwhile menaced by the lingering threat of recession and higher rates — while increasingly repackaging private debt — Lee says. In this episode of the Credit Edge Podcast, Bloomberg News senior editor James Crombie also asks Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Jeroen Julius about the outlook for the AT1 market after the collapse of Credit Suisse. Prices have recovered but for some investors, the market’s just too choppy, Julius says. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 31, 2023
Banks are readying about $15 billion of leverage buyout debt for sale starting in September, stepping back into M&A after losses piled up on their books last year, Bloomberg News’ Paula Seligson, says. Also on this episode of the Credit Edge podcast, Bloomberg News corporate finance reporter Olivia Raimonde chats with Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Jody Lurie, who covers the leisure sector. Lurie walks us through the cruise-line industry’s recovery from the pandemic. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 24, 2023
Companies that borrowed from private markets are struggling to pay as interest rates surge, according to Bloomberg News’ Kat Hidalgo. There’s more distress to come amid record levels of fundraising and ever-increasing deal sizes, Hidalgo says. In this episode of the Credit Edge Podcast, Bloomberg News senior editor James Crombie also asks Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Andrew Chan about the brewing debt crisis in China. Offshore bonds from local government financing vehicles may provide relative value with yields above 15% — assuming they can avoid default, Chan says. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 17, 2023
Companies with floating-rate debt are feeling the pain of higher interest costs as leveraged loan defaults outpace that of junk bonds, Bloomberg News’ Jill Shah , says. The one-year default rate for US loan borrowers has soared to 4%, an analysis by Morgan Stanley shows. Also on this episode of the Credit Edge podcast, Bloomberg News corporate finance reporter Olivia Raimonde chats with Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Daniel Fan who covers China properties. He walks us through the debt crisis unfolding at distressed Chinese developer Country Garden. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 10, 2023
Yellow — the bankrupt trucking firm — is deciding between competing financing packages from lenders including Apollo, Bloomberg News’ Amelia Pollard says. The company owes the US government more than $700 million from a pandemic-era loan. Also on this episode of the Credit Edge podcast, Bloomberg News corporate finance reporter Olivia Raimonde chats with Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Julie Hung about M&A in the consumer sector. Hung walks us through recent credit downgrades in the industry. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 3, 2023
Leveraged loans are enjoying a euphoric risk-on period of excess demand for limited supply, according to Bloomberg News’ Jeannine Amodeo. Banks offloading hung buyout debt at a steep discount could send prices back down but there are reasons to be bullish on the market for the rest of this year, Amodeo says. In this episode of the Credit Edge Podcast, Bloomberg News senior editor James Crombie also asks Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Mary Ellen Olson about high-yield opportunities in the Indonesian commodity sector. Olson sees nickel producers benefiting from electric vehicle manufacturing, just as coal companies receive a regulatory boost. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 27, 2023
Carvana is a rare case of lenders working together to agree restructuring terms and could be a blueprint for other distressed debt situations, according to Bloomberg News’ Erin Hudson. The used-car seller won a second chance by eliminating $1.2 billion of debt, but it still faces fundamental headwinds. In this episode of the Credit Edge Podcast, Bloomberg News senior editor James Crombie also asks Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Aidan Cheslin about the risks to Telecom Italia’s bonds as the company sells assets to reduce leverage. Cheslin also looks at the potential for Spanish tower operator Cellnex to become a rising star. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 20, 2023
China’s local governments are struggling to repay trillions of dollars in infrastructure debt, just as more property developers tip into distress, according to Bloomberg News’ Wei Zhou. A Chinese municipal default would send shock waves through global markets, but Beijing is at pains to avoid the moral hazard of a bailout. In this episode of the Credit Edge Podcast, Bloomberg News senior editor James Crombie also asks Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Himanshu Bakshi about the risk to Canadian banks of a spike in mortgage defaults. The main financial institutions can withstand significant real estate stress, though their bonds may come under pressure. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 13, 2023
Signs of life in collateralized loan obligations signal credit market healing, according to Bloomberg News’ Lisa Lee. But it’s too early to predict broad and sustained recovery as interest rate and macroeconomic risks abound. In this episode of the Credit Edge Podcast, Bloomberg News senior editor James Crombie also asks Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Stephane Kovatchev about growing stress on the container shipping sector as demand crumbles. Smaller companies are most threatened by a steep drop in freight rates after a Covid-19-era windfall. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 6, 2023
Bonds backed by car loans are headed for their first loss since the 1990s as Americans fall behind on payments and dealerships collapse, says Bloomberg News’ Carmen Arroyo. Consumers are burning through pandemic-era savings and hitting a wall with interest costs soaring. In this episode of the Credit Edge Podcast, Bloomberg News senior editor James Crombie also asks Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Paul Vickars about distress at Thames Water, the UK’s biggest water provider. Other companies in the sector are also running into trouble as inflation keeps rising, says Vickars. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 29, 2023
Canadian pensions are piling into private debt, lured by fatter returns than in corporate bonds, says Bloomberg News’ Paula Sambo. But smaller funds are struggling to raise cash for the strategy as public markets get cheaper, and there may be more private credit distress to come. In this episode of the Credit Edge Podcast, Bloomberg News senior editor James Crombie also asks Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Stephen Flynn about the telecoms and media outlook. The debt of Paramount Global trades at much wider spreads than peers, but may be due for a correction tighter. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 22, 2023
Troubled companies are selling assets to relieve pressure from rising rates, slumping earnings and a looming maturity wall, says Irene Garcia Perez, who covers distressed debt for Bloomberg News. But potential buyers are offering less than sellers hoped and some corporations are offloading trophy holdings to generate cash. In this episode of the Credit Edge Podcast, Bloomberg News senior editor James Crombie also asks Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Tolu Alamutu about the outlook for SBB, the Swedish company at the epicenter of a property meltdown. The crisis is getting worse by the day and has significant implications for credit markets beyond Sweden. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 15, 2023
Office landlords are falling behind on debt payments at the fastest rate in five years as tenants flee, says Scott Carpenter, who covers structured finance for Bloomberg News. Working from home slashed demand for office space, just as surging interest rates boost costs, spelling trouble for lenders. In this episode of the Credit Edge Podcast, Bloomberg News senior editor James Crombie also examines the impact of US culture wars on consumer companies with Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Louise Parker. Anheuser-Busch InBev’s recent collaboration with a transgender influencer slammed Bud Light sales, whacked its stock and may also dent the company’s bonds. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 8, 2023
More companies are going bust not long after securing cash that was supposed to save them, highlighting growing stress as rates rise and the economy slows, says Amelia Pollard, who covers distressed debt for Bloomberg News. More of these so-called liability management deals are expected to fail, making bankruptcies messier and more complex. In this episode of the Credit Edge Podcast, Bloomberg News senior editor James Crombie also quizzes Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Mike Campellone on the retail outlook, with consumers under pressure. Department stores like Macy’s and Target are poised to do better, while Under Armour is seen as a laggard. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 1, 2023
New accounting rules have exposed $64 billion in debt held by the largest US businesses, according to Lucca de Paoli, who covers distressed debt for Bloomberg News. This so-called supplier finance can be a safe way to manage cash flow — but it’s also been at the heart of some major corporate collapses, and could fuel ratings downgrades. In this episode of the Credit Edge Podcast, Bloomberg News senior editor James Crombie also talks to Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Sharon Chen about the outlook for SoftBank Group Corp. after it was cut deeper into junk. Elsewhere in Japan, Chen examines the refinancing risk at Rakuten Group Inc., which has $5 billion in bonds coming due. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 25, 2023
Private credit is having a coming-of-age moment, luring investors with double-digit returns and jumbo-sized deals, according to Silas Brown, who covers private credit for Bloomberg News. The $1.5 trillion market isn’t without risk, as borrowers grapple with surging costs and slowing earnings, while investors face liquidity and transparency challenges. In this episode of the Credit Edge Podcast, Bloomberg News senior editor James Crombie also talks to Bloomberg Intelligence credit analyst Rena Kwok about the outlook for Asian banks following heightened volatility in the sector. South Korean financial institutions are a weak link amid macroeconomic headwinds and exposure to mortgages. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 18, 2023
Companies are going bankrupt at the fastest pace since 2009 and there’s no end in sight as rates rise and the economy sputters, according to Jeremy Hill, who covers distressed debt for Bloomberg News. Lenders are no longer providing fresh liquidity to zombie firms across sectors -- from retail to commercial real estate -- leaving them to perish. In this episode of the Credit Edge Podcast, Bloomberg News senior editor James Crombie also talks to Bloomberg Intelligence credit analyst Jaimin Patel about the outlook for US utilities, a refuge from heightened economic and financial stress. Patel weighs the risks -- including access to capital markets and the impact of higher rates -- as well as the ESG opportunities for investors. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 11, 2023
Investors in troubled company debt are excited about the opportunities in banks, retail and health care as rates grind higher and the economy sputters, with one fund making $30 million on a single distressed debt trade. Consumers have been resilient but cracks are spreading, while a shift to electric vehicles adds stress in autos, according to Erin Hudson, who covers distressed debt for Bloomberg News. In this episode of the Credit Edge Podcast, Bloomberg News senior editor James Crombie also talks to Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Paul Vickars about European energy and utilities. High oil prices have created a windfall and the region is less exposed to volatility from Russia, Vickars says. The UK’s SSE is one to watch as companies sell more green, sustainability and transition bonds. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 4, 2023
Credit markets are cracking up as liquidity evaporates, according to Jill Shah, who covers leveraged finance for Bloomberg News in New York. Small businesses are struggling to borrow, distressed debt has surged, defaults are ticking up, banks have tightened lending standards and bankruptcies are on the rise, particularly in construction and retail. In this episode of the Credit Edge Podcast, Bloomberg News senior editor James Crombie asks whether this is all bad for the US economy. Bloomberg Intelligence credit analyst Robert Schiffman, meanwhile, says he’s never been more bullish about the technology sector, despite all the fundamental headwinds. First-quarter earnings are showing signs of a turnaround, the biggest companies are generating a lot of excess cash and the outlook for investors is bright, Schiffman says. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 27, 2023
Distressed companies are moving assets out of lenders’ reach to raise new funds and buy time as higher interest rates and a slower economy bite. These controversial debt moves — known as drop-downs — are fueling a rash of creditor lawsuits, according to Reshmi Basu, who covers distressed debt for Bloomberg News. In this episode of the Credit Edge Podcast, Bloomberg News senior editor James Crombie also talks to Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Himanshu Bakshi about winners and losers in the financial sector. A steep decline in First Republic’s stock revives concerns about the health of banks, but most are in good shape and credit-card issuers are well-placed to ride out a US recession, Bakshi says. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 20, 2023
The restructuring of China Evergrande’s massive debt pile has been one of the riskiest bets in all of distressed investing. Redwood and Saba are among funds that recently endorsed a plan hammered out by the property-development giant and global creditors, according to Rachel Butt, a reporter at Bloomberg News in New York. In this episode of the Credit Edge Podcast, Bloomberg News senior editor James Crombie also talks to Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Matthew Geudtner about junk borrowers heading for investment grade despite macroeconomic headwinds. Companies in the travel and leisure sector are doing particularly well amid “revenge spending” by US consumers with pent-up demand after years of Covid-19 restrictions. Howmet Aerospace, an aircraft material supplier, is one to watch, Geudtner says. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 13, 2023
The takeover by creditors of German retailer Takko Fashion, with a solid operating performance, highlights the rising risk for junk-rated issuers facing a mountain of debt coming due. Some will require drastic solutions as funding costs jump and the economy slows, according to Giulia Morpurgo, a reporter at Bloomberg News in London. In this episode of the Credit Edge Podcast, Bloomberg News senior editor James Crombie also talks to Hong Kong-based Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Pri de Silva about opportunity in the financial sector following the recent collapse of banks in the US and Europe. Additional Tier 1 securities are poised for a comeback — with imminent issuance in Asia — and they’re too good for investors to miss given relatively high yields, says de Silva. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 6, 2023
Wall Street banks lost billions of dollars on leveraged buyout financing that they committed to before rates surged. A junk debt market reopening allows them to sell some of that down, but there are lingering concerns about the ability of very risky companies to access funds, according to Paula Seligson, a reporter at Bloomberg News in New York. In this episode of the Credit Edge Podcast, Bloomberg News senior editor James Crombie also asks London-based Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Aidan Cheslin about opportunities and risks in the telecom, media and technology sector. Hybrid corporate bonds battered by the banking crisis may now offer value after the companies selling them emerged mostly unscathed. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 30, 2023
The banking crisis has made it harder and more expensive to borrow, tipping some of the riskiest companies into distress. In this episode of the Credit Edge Podcast, Eliza Ronalds-Hannon, who covers credit markets for Bloomberg News in Atlanta, looks at the biggest losers and winners — including Saba Capital Management’s Boaz Weinstein. Bloomberg News senior editor James Crombie also asks Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Spencer Cutter about opportunities in the energy sector. Oil companies that survived prior crises are in good shape to weather the next storm, offering a safe haven. Cutter also weighs the credit impact of Warren Buffett increasing his stake in Occidental Petroleum, a big part of many debt portfolios. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 23, 2023
The takeover of Credit Suisse by UBS included pulling the pin on $17 billion of risky CoCo bonds, also known as Additional Tier 1s (AT1s), and sending shockwaves through global debt markets. In this episode of the Credit Edge Podcast, Tasos Vossos, who covers credit markets for Bloomberg News in London, weighs the impact of the Swiss bank’s demise and the collapse of its AT1s. And Bloomberg News senior editor James Crombie asks Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Jody Lurie about funding risks for highly-indebted companies in the cruise, gaming and lodging sectors. As interest rates surge and earnings slump, junk-rated borrowers are exposed, but there are some hotel diamonds in the rough. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 16, 2023
Credit Suisse debt plunged into distress after the collapse of SVB Financial Group, spreading fear through the global banking sector. In this episode of the Credit Edge Podcast, Bloomberg News senior editor James Crombie asks Bloomberg Intelligence credit analysts Arnold Kakuda and Jeroen Julius whether this is a Lehman Brothers moment for financial institutions. Bloomberg News reporter Amelia Pollard also digs into the impact of SVB’s failure. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 9, 2023
Adani has solved some liquidity problems but it’s not out of the woods. The crisis-ridden Indian conglomerate still needs to regain the trust of investors and has long-term issues with transparency. In this episode of the Credit Edge Podcast, Bloomberg News senior editor James Crombie is joined by Divya Patil, who covers credit markets from Mumbai, and Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Cecilia Chan, who takes a look at retailers and casinos to gauge China’s reopening -- a key to the global economic outlook. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 2, 2023
Evergrande’s struggle to restructure billions of dollars in debt has significant implications for credit markets and the clock is ticking. The embattled Chinese property developer has about $290 billion in liabilities and faces a March 20 court hearing on a winding-up petition. In this episode of the Credit Edge Podcast, Bloomberg News senior editor James Crombie is joined by Alice Huang, who covers China’s credit markets for Bloomberg News from Hong Kong, for an in-depth discussion. Meanwhile in India, Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Mary Ellen Olson assesses the risks for Vedanta Resources, which is running into liquidity problems. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 1, 2023
The largest buyout financing ever arranged by private credit firms may be in the works -- Apollo Global Management and HPS Investment Partners are among lenders that have offered to help provide a record $5.5 billion loan supporting the buyout of health-care technology company Cotiviti. In this episode of the Credit Edge Podcast, Bloomberg News reporter Jill Shah is joined by private credit reporter David Brooke to talk about the $1.4 trillion private credit market and the increasing role in M&A financing. Bloomberg Intelligence’s Stephen Flynn also provides an update on some of the names in the telecommunications and media sector, including the pending merger of Rogers Communications and Shaw Communications, the deteriorating outlook for Lumen Technologies and potential catalysts for Disney’s credit profile. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 1, 2023
The rally across risk assets was perhaps felt the most in a corner of the structured credit market, agency backed mortgages. In this episode, Bloomberg News reporter Carmen Arroyo looks at why the bonds had the best start of the year ever, while Mike Holland of Bloomberg Intelligence digs deeper into the healthcare sector. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 1, 2023
Borrowers and investors in the $1.4 trillion leveraged loan market are battling over the looming switch to SOFR from Libor, with buyers complaining that they don’t have a say on the new rates being applied. In this episode of the Credit Edge Podcast, Bloomberg News senior editor James Crombie is joined by leveraged finance reporter Paula Seligson to detail what the switch means. Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Jaimin Patel also provides a status update on the Latin America energy sector. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 1, 2023
Retail companies are tumbling into bankruptcy as consumers pull back, pressured by inflation, and debt costs soar. In this episode, Bloomberg News team leader Claire Boston weighs the outlook for US retailers, while Arnold Kakuda of Bloomberg Intelligence takes a deep dive into the banking sector. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 1, 2023
Buyers of repackaged loans are fighting to stop Libor transition costing them millions of dollars, while Twitter has some hefty debt payments due. In this episode, Bloomberg News reporter Paula Seligson digs into the biggest credit stories of the week, while Robert Schiffman of Bloomberg Intelligence takes a deep dive into the technology sector. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 28, 2023
Junk-rated companies rushed to sell bonds at the start of the year as risk assets rallied. In this episode, Bloomberg News reporter Olivia Raimonde looks at the opportunity for borrowers and the risks to investors as the economy slows, while Stephen Flynn of Bloomberg Intelligence digs into the communications sector. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.