Finding the hidden value in success
Learning from one’s mistakes is often cited as key to professional development. However, widening this perspective and paying attention to things that go well can further improve performance

Loans have changed. Leverage and docs are different. So what does this mean for recoveries?
With Fed chiefs past and present signalling rising financial risk, managers need to check their metrics, writes our columnist and Churchill Asset Management's head of capital markets and origination 

Sears CDS battle heats up as DC challenged to change auction rules
A high profile battle over Sears Roebuck Acceptance Corp credit default swaps has taken a new turn, with one market participant challenging the Americas Determinations Committee to change its rules to avert price manipulation by another market participant in the bankrupt retailer's credit event auction

Loan rout gifts CLOs a par-building Christmas present
Correction time is here, as Charlie Brown once (almost) sang, building par and cheer. Fun for all that managers call their favourite time to... deal

GSO co-founder plans new credit business
GSO Capital Partners co-founder Tripp Smith is launching his own credit management firm, according to a report by Bloomberg

Cairn sheds light on single-investment SRT fund
Fresh details have emerged on Cairn Capital’s new significant risk transfer (SRT) funds with the manager informing Creditflux that Pathfinder Fund III was structured such with US requirements in mind

Cairn adds two SRT funds to its roster
Cairn Capital has raised $150 million across two significant risk transfer (SRT) funds - with differing mandates - according to an announcement by the firm

Deutsche Bank refinances CLO backed with trade finance assets
Deutsche Bank has brought a $3.5 billion CLO backed by trade finance that includes a first-loss piece issued at par

FS hires ex-JP Morgan AM official to lead business development
FS Investments has appointed an experienced official to drive the firm’s growth

Loomis Sayles plans alternatives interval fund
Loomis Sayles is looking to launch an interval fund focused on alternative asset-based opportunities, according to 4 December US regulatory filings

Sears CDS external review panel named to solve Determinations Committee impasse
The North America Determinations Committee has selected an external review panel to decide whether two Sears Roebuck Acceptance Corp debt obligations can be delivered into an auction to settle the US retailer’s credit default swaps, having failed to achieve a strong enough quorum among its own 15 members

Neiman Marcus loan slumps amid debt restructuring talks
The luxury fashion retailer’s $2.95 billion cov-lite term loan B, due October 2020, traded down 1.65%, according to IHS Markit 

Blackstone builds on multi-asset approach with fifth fund
The new vehicle will invest directly into Blackstone deals across its alternatives platform

Market favours retrospective over forward-looking approach to Ibor benchmark fallbacks, says Isda
New benchmark fallbacks for derivatives contracts that reference interbank offered rates are likely to be based on the “compounded setting in arrears rate” and the “historical mean/median approach to the spread adjustment”, the International Swaps and Derivatives Association has said

Pro Mach packs biggest punch for CLOs as lev loan index takes a tumble
 The US manufacturer's $819 million Term Loan B, due March 2025, dropped 0.76% on Monday from Friday’s close

Credit sell-off has room to run and pricing is out of whack, says BNP Paribas
The credit market sell-off could have further to go despite recent widening and is “in the process of a late-stage business cycle unwind”, according to a strategist note seen by Creditflux

Till debt us do part: CLOs have and hold David's Bridal loans as they plummet 10.87%
CLOs hold $26.63 million exposure to David’s Bridal, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Monday

Investcorp adds ex-Anteil officials to run manager buy-out business
The new strategy will focus on acquiring up to 25% stakes in mid-sized alternative asset managers

24 CLO managers hold J Crew loan as it drops 4.62%
A total of 109 CLOs hold $219.4 million exposure to J Crew, whose Term Loan B traded down 4.62% from yesterday 

Recent CLO debutant Vista brings in GSO official to lead credit team
Vista Credit Partners has hired a former GSO official to lead its credit team

US clothing brand default leaves CLOs exposed
As many as 100 CLOs are among the holders of debt issued by FullBeauty, which defaulted on 31 October on an interest payment to its $345 million second lien loans  

California pension fund seeks opportunistic credit manager
Merced County Employees’ Retirement Association is on the search for an opportunistic credit manager, according to board minutes seen by Creditflux

Los Angeles pension fund plans $3.7 billion allocation to credit
Los Angeles City Employees' Retirement System, the $17 billion pension fund, is allocating to credit in 2019 - it's looking to put $2.44 billion to work in core-fixed income, $800 million into emerging markets debt, $235 million into high yield and a similar amount into a bond/loan hybrid fund

You don’t need a 15% default rate to make money in credit
Jeanne Manischewitz, head of North American credit at York Capital Management, takes our credit quiz

Selling at the time of the default or downgrade can often be the worst value decision for the CLO
CLOs don’t have to be forced sellers during distress cycles: skilled CLO managers and well-structured indentures can give optimal recoveries, says our columnist Thomas Majewski