Ivy Hill prices first billion-dollar mid market CLO of 2018
The Los Angeles-based firm issued its first new middle-market CLO in almost 12 months on Friday

Mid market CLO round-up: Antares leads the way as triple As price at 125bp
Although US mid-market CLOs had a slow start to the year, the last two weeks have seen heightened activity in this sector with established players such as Antares Capital, Cerberus Capital Management, Fortress Investments and Midcap Financial pricing new CLOs

Allocations to fixed income leap but private debt shrinks under new pension fund plan
The City of San Jose Police & Fire Retirement Plan is considering a new investment strategy that would reduce its private debt allocation, according to documents seen by Creditflux

Structured credit specialists seek future-proofing in direct lending
At the turn of the last credit cycle, structured credit recovered spectacularly – but credit managers today seem to be gravitating towards private credit as the area to pick up excess returns in a downturn

They said it: BSL loans and mid-market loans are basically the same thing
A US CLO portfolio manager is heard putting himself forward for a direct lending fund management role..

A credit market in constant flux
Since Creditflux's launch in 2001, we've reported on CLO evolution, trendy new products, regulatory U-turns, and, of course, crashes. Which, we wonder, is coming next?

Know the best way to crack direct lending? Be a true ‘direct’ lender
Varagon's chief executive claims that there is a big difference between being a follower and a leader in direct lending

Calling all direct lenders: don’t do this…
Direct lending seems to be the hottest ticket in town, with middle market loan managers finding fundraising to be a cinch. However, several advisors have warned of the pitfalls managers should avoid when they pitch their funds to institutional investors

With the right connections, you can find attractive loans
Demand for middle market loans has been huge, so why have spreads widened? Our columnist and Churchill Asset Management's head of origination Randy Schwimmer explains all

Staying afloat in credit takes care and character
In his final article, our columnist sheds light on his identity and has some 'nice' advice for those navigating credit’s changeable oceans

BlackRock raising $2.5 billion for direct lending fund: report
BlackRock is seeking to raise $2.5 billion for a private credit fund – and has already hit the $1.5 billion mark in sales, according to a Bloomberg report

New Hampshire pension makes $50 million commitment to direct lending
The New Hampshire Retirement System has approved a $50 million commitment to BlueBay’s Direct Lending Fund III (USD unlevered), according to documents seen by Creditflux

Triangle BDC goes on a different tangent with Barings and Benefit Street deals
Triangle BDC sells assets to Benefit Street and arees to Barings takeover in an unusual deal 

Direct lenders pile into "turbocharged" market as fundraising skyrockets: report
Growth in the direct lending market in the 12 months to 31 December was “turbocharged,” growing robustly in the fourth quarter 2017 in particular due to a consistently growing Eurozone economy, according to Deloitte

Wells Fargo prices three CLO transactions in a single day
Wells Fargo priced three CLO transactions on Thursday, totalling $1.47 billion issuance, according to market sources

Sacramento pension fund eyes new private credit allocation
The Sacramento County Employees’ Retirement System’s board has approved a new annual investment plan for 2018 that introduces a private credit allocation, Creditflux has learned

Ohio pension backs BlackRock multi-asset and BlueBay direct lending funds
BlackRock and BlueBay have each won commitments from a $14.7 billion Ohio pension fund

Oak Hill BDC's assets continue to nosedive as board explores options
As it continues to bleed assets, Oak Hill Advisors’ direct lending business development company (BDC) has jettisoned the last of its energy assets

Monroe hires vice president in investor relations team
Chicago-based direct lender Monroe has appointed Ryan Flanders as a vice president in its New York office

Good news for BDCs as congress doubles leverage limits
US lawmakers have granted business development companies (BDCs) the ability to borrow more – a move for which the BDC industry has been pushing for years

Former Merrill Lynch US loan head takes on new role at New York-based direct lender
A 30-year loan veteran is taking on his first buy-side role at a US direct lender

Private equity firm hits target size with $170 million for its first credit fund
Technology-focused private equity firm Accel-KKR has raised $170 million – and hit the total offering amount – for its series 1 Credit Partners fund, which appears to be a direct lending strategy

2.0 mid market spreads jump tighter following refi of 2014 Golub CLO
A Chicago-based middle market CLO manager has priced its triple A notes at 95bp following a refi

EnTrustPermal makes senior hire in bid to expand aviation financing capabilities
New York-based EnTrustPermal becomes the latest asset manager to expand its aviation finance capabilities as it hires veteran aviation investor John Morabito