Astaldi credit event question posed as its distress weighs on iTraxx Crossover
Astaldi, a constituent of iTraxx Crossover, has been referred to ISDA-hosted Credit Determinations Committees as a possible bankruptcy credit event – less than two weeks after the index rolled into a new series

BlackRock becomes latest manager to explore interval fund structure for credit
Several managers have hit the market with the interval fund structure, as investors look to invest in illiquid strategies through an illiquid fund structure

Four private credit managers score as Arizona pension fund commits $250 million
The $9.78 billion pension fund has mandated nearly $250 million to four private credit managers, alongside additional commitments for co-investment opportunities 

Pimco receives nearly $400 million for ESG fixed income mandate
 An $11 billion super fund has awarded a new ESG-focused fixed income mandate to Pimco

Turkey CDS rallies back inside 500bp on Qatar help, but curve remains inverted
Turkey’s sovereign five year credit default swap is back below 500bp today, following the financially embattled country’s recent spread blow-out

BlackRock unveils ESG-focused emerging market debt suite
BlackRock has launched a series of emerging market debt funds that will have an environmental,social and governance (ESG) focus

BlueArc brings in nearly $70 million for global private credit fund
At least 100 investors have backed the BlueArc Global Private Credit Opportunity Fund, managed by Atlanta-based BlueArc Capital 

Sovereign investors' allocation to alternative credit increase rapidly, finds survey
Sovereign investors are increasing their exposure to CLOs, direct lending and bank loans, according to a 2018 Global Sovereign Asset Management Study published by Invesco this week

Evolving strategy takes Norinchukin close to top spot in CLO investment
Over the years, Nochu has tweaked its cov-lite stipulations, and added mid market and European CLO exposure to its CLO investments. It’s now nearly the market’s biggest investor  

New rules encourage growth in blossoming risk sharing market
Significant risk transfer deals have generally been issued towards the end of the year – but the first quarter of 2018 has opened with a flurry of deals across primary and secondary markets

Standard Chartered plans refocused SRT return
One of the biggest issuers of significant risk transfer (SRT) deals is returning to the market

Aircraft lessors: gathering clouds lead to talk of turbulence
Aircraft leasing companies have been cruising over the past two years as passenger numbers grew, but rising interest rates and trade tariff concerns are making some bondholders nervous

BlackRock seeks $1 billion for new multi-strat opportunities fund
The new trust will invest at least 80% of its assets in fixed income securities and up to 40% in special situations, SEC filings reveal 

AB targets financials with new global credit fund
Global investment manager AB (previously known as AllianceBernstein) has today announced the launch of a new global Ucits credit fund – AB Financial Credit Portfolio

EM manager takes assets across two funds to $1.4 billion after big inflows
Two funds managed by a New York-headquartered firm have reached a combined $1.4 billion after big inflows

Lombard Odier mandates US manager for emerging markets debt fund
Swiss private bank Lombard Odier has selected a Los Angeles-based manager for a new emerging markets debt fund 

Allianz GI brings in new CIO for emerging market debt
Allianz Global Investors has appointed Richard House as chief investment officer emerging market debt, Creditflux understands

Ashurst promotes five debt specialists to partner
Global law firm Ashurst has announced the promotion of 24 to partnership - including Kerion Ball, James Knight, Laura Ho, Tara Waters and Caroline Smart

Term structure is being developed for floating rate benchmark SOFR, says LSTA
The Secured Overnight Financing Rate, known as SOFR, is being developed into a term structure

Points up front: World Cup simulation shows models don’t work
England as fourth favourites? Pull the other one

HSBC asset management unit raises $800 million for global multi-manager loan fund
As a multi-manager fund,  the new vehicle aims to offer the benefits of fund-of-funds - diversification - but with a management fee comparable to a single manager 

Future returns: we've (not) got a case of the blues
Regular readers may notice a slight change to this, the 201st issue of Creditflux...

Investec AM hires emerging market debt PM from Standard Life
London-headquartered Investec Asset Management has hired emerging market debt specialist Imran Ahmad as portfolio manager within its multi-asset investment team

Ares targets €4.5 billion for fourth European direct lending fund
Los Angeles based Ares Capital Management has launched its fourth European direct lending fund, Ares Capital Europe IV, with a €4.5 billion target size, SEC filings show

Investcorp names new co-CEO
Alterative investment manager Investcorp has announced that Hazem Ben-Gacem will become co-chief executive officer, joining current co-CEO Rishi Kapoor