Legg Mason teams with affiliate Western for credit fund
Legg Mason has teamed up with its affiliate Western Asset Management to launch a closed-ended fund to invest in a diversified portfolio of fixed income securities, according to fund registration filed by the pair yesterday

Azimut purchases 20% stake in US private credit manager
Azimut Group has purchased a 20% equity stake in a $2.1 billion opportunistic private credit manager

Z Capital adds to credit team with Garrison official
Z Capital Group has hired a former Garrison Investment Group official as a director and member of the firm’s credit investment team

Covid could trigger 'mega trend' into private debt, says Blackstone's Gray
The coronavirus pandemic could spark a 'mega trend' of investors into alternatives in private credit, Blackstone's president and chief operating officer said on the firm's second quarter earnings call on Thursday

Newcomer wins Creditflux Manager of the Year award in virtual event
Last night Creditflux presented its first ever virtual hosting of our annual Manager Awards, with over 450 people tuning in live to see the winners announced

Credit Rendezvous: record fiscal stimulus provides pick-me-up
Credit markets had a mini bounce-back in the second quarter as central banks poured cash into the economy. But there is great uncertainty about the effects of a second wave of coronavirus. As part of our quarterly report on credit - the Credit Rendezvous - Creditflux spoke to experts across 12 segments of the credit market

Creditflux announces finalists for Manager of the Year award
Ahead of the virtual awards ceremony on 15 July Creditflux is thrilled to announce the four finalists for the prestigious Manager of the Year category.

Owl Rock plans first lien loan-only mid market CLO
Owl Rock Capital Advisors is taking a new approach with plans for a middle market CLO formed exclusively of US first lien loans

MeDirect confirms corp credit step-back, as CLO team seeks spin-off
MeDirect has confirmed it will reduce corporate lending to focus on retail clients, following a question by Creditflux on the firm's plans to spin off its CLO-managing specialist credit team

Fund performance: CLO funds keep up the momentum for second month running
May returns have been led by continued momentum from CLO funds. In the last month, funds that invest in CLO notes in some capacity have made up 90% of our top 10, while 97% of funds listed generated positive returns - an improvement of 15% on last month's figures.

Credit funds at a glance (July 2020)
A round-up of fundraising and people moves

Ucits at a glance: Ucits recover lost ground
The foot has come off the gas for many funds - 57% of funds did not break the 2% return barrier.

Mid-market CLO issuance returns as Fortress prices $390 million deal
Fortress Investment Group has overcome mid-market CLO headwinds to become only the second manager to price a new issue deal since covid-19

LP round up: horseshoe does the trick for Pimco and other distressed managers
Institutional investors poured $2.7 billion into credit this week through 14 managers, according to board documentation seen by Creditflux

Time catches up with middle market CLOs as Moody's takes rating action
Moody's has taken rating action on nine middle market CLO tranches by putting them on review for possible downgrade, the agency said in a statement

Bridgepoint buys EQT's credit business - report
Bridgepoint is buying the credit business of EQT, according to the Financial Times

LP round-up: mighty Oaks win $1 billion apiece from Calpers
Credit investors allocated over $3 billion to 18 credit managers this week across a wide range of strategies

Värde targets $1 billion for inaugural dedicated credit dislocation fund
Värde is seeking to raise $1 billion for its dislocation and distressed debt fund, according to an investor presentation seen by Creditflux. The firm is targeting a first close this month

Argentina rallies sharply as DC sets credit event auction date
An auction to settle Argentina sovereign CDS will take place next week, the Americas Determinations Committee has said

CLOs face trading restrictions as bankruptcies mount
CLO managers could be handcuffed in impending bankruptcies if tranche downgrades continue and restricted trading periods kick in

Libor fall weighs heavily on loan and CLO portfolios
Libor floors are set to return to prominence after three-month rates tumbled to 0.38% by 18 May, returning the loan market’s base rate to its lowest level since the oil and gas crisis of 2014-16

Fund performance: CLO tranches move up
April returns managed a partial bounce back after a tumultuous March. 82% of funds listed in the Creditflux database made positive returns, showing at least small signs of recovery after 90% of all funds listed posted negative returns in March

Credit funds at a glance (June 2020)
A round-up of fundraising and people moves

Ucits at a glance: Ucits begin recovery phase
April returns prove positive for Ucits funds as 85% of those listed in the Creditflux database have moved into the black after a rough March

Distressed debt managers eye CLOs' low single B loans
Opportunistic credit managers have been witnessing a heavier flow of triple C-rated assets emitting from CLOs since March, but they're finding lower single Bs to be a fresh source of deal flow