Axiom puts tranches at core of push into synthetic credit
Axiom Alternative Investments is set to target both index and bespoke tranches with the launch of Axiom Synthetic Credit Opportunity Fund.

Jefferies creates team and aims to build CSO business
Amid mounting buy-side interest in the synthetic CDO market, sources say that Jefferies is looking to build a US business arranging these transactions  

Tesla CDS hits big bump on largely self-driven woes
Tesla Motors’ five-year credit default swap is at a widest-ever print of 21.3/23.3 points up front going into the week

IHS Markit launches derivatives initial margin calculator
IHS Markit has launched an Initial Market Calculation Service to help market participants prepare to meet regulatory requirements for non-cleared derivatives trades across credit, commodities, equities, FX and interest rates

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

39% of private debt investors are underweight, but they're looking for opportunities
485 Investors have come together to reveal their thoughts about allocation, in a survey conducted by London-based investment consultant bfinance

Hampshire pension fund seeks private debt manager for £325 million mandate
Hampshire County Council is seeking a private debt firm to manage a £325 million private debt account for its pension fund, according to documents seen by Creditflux

HPS expands in distressed debt by taking over Dallas-based Tålamod
HPS Investment Partners has struck a deal to bring on board the investment team from Dallas-based distressed debt specialist Tålamod Asset Management

Goodhart unveils new platform to invest in private debt and equity firms
London-based Goodhart Partners has launched a new platform to focus on strategic minority investments, predominantly in private debt and private equity firms.

Reed Smith adds former NatWest structured finance specialist to its team
Law firm Reed Smith has added structured finance specialist David Barton as counsel in its London office

Family office CIO and ex-Kimura official launch new private debt firm
The chief investment officer of single-family office and an official who previously worked at Kimura Capital have joined forces to launch an asset management business

Loomis Sayles makes global fixed income senior role changes
Kenneth Buntrock, portfolio manager and co-team leader of the global fixed income team will retire in March 2019  

Baker McKenzie adds two global finance partners in London office
Global law firm Baker McKenzie has bolstered its finance team with the addition of two partners in the London office

TwentyFour expands into US with head of US credit appointment in New York
TwentyFour Asset Management has appointed David Norris as head of US credit to lead the firm’s expansion into the US

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 

Managers cash in as investors come calling
Credit management platforms are being viewed as attractive investments, with a slew of acquisitions taking place in recent months — mainly involving private credit operators

Dealers show appetite to retain tranches amid CSO growth
There are increasing numbers of dealers involved in the CSO market and their approach to issuing bespokes is evolving, attendees at Creditflux’s Credit Dimensions conference heard last month.

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

Partners Group promotes Layton to co-CEO as Rubeli steps down
Partners Group has announced that David Layton, partner and head of private equity, will succeed Christoph Rubeli as the firm’s co-chief executive officer, effective 1 January 2019

GSO CLO fund looks to wind up with offer to roll into manager's originator strategy
The board responsible for Carador Income Fund, managed by GSO Capital Partners, has given shareholders an opportunity to wind the fund up, alongside a rollover opportunity for shareholders into GSO's CLO originator fund, Blackstone/GSO Loan Financing

Louisiana pension fund assigns $200 million to DoubleLine and GoldenTree
Louisiana State Employees' Retirement System has allocated to distressed debt and mortgage credit funds run by two experienced asset managers

Swedish pension fund's credit portfolio recovers with strong 2018 results
Andra AP-Fonden (AP2), the SEK 352.4 billion ($38.7 billion) state-owned pension fund, generated 5.6% absolute returns from non-domestic credit investments for the first half of 2018

Maples & Calder announce several CLO lawyer promotions
Maples & Calder has announced several promotions for CLO lawyers.- including three partners and one counsel 

Shetland Islands pension looks to terminate bonds and introduce direct lending
A UK pension fund is looking to terminate its bond mandate and introduce a 12.5% direct lending and 12.5% alternative funds asset allocation, according to board documentation seen by Creditflux

Bain targets $500 million for CLO-focused vehicle
Bain Capital Credit is targeting $500 million for its CLO-focused vehicle, Bain Capital Credit CLO Management, according to sources familiar with the situation