Structured finance secondary market quiets down as volatility intensifies
Secondary market activity in European structured finance was subdued this week, in the wake of further market volatility sparked by the Israel-Hamas war

Hedge fund profit-taking prompts ABS sales as spreads soften in deteriorating macro conditions
More European ABS and CLO BWICs were on offer this week, as some hedge funds are selling their positions with a view to take early profits before the market widens further.  

What do you think?
The Creditflux CLO Census is back for its seventh instalment. Our annual stock-take of the global CLO industry begins on Monday, 2 October — it’s your chance to make your voice heard

Fund performance
Positive August for credit sees CLO funds on top again

Credit hedge funds
Credit hedge funds performance data

ABS spreads hold up in spite of September issuance deluge, while CLOs soften
Trading activity in European ABS has slowed down, as the market absorbs one of the busiest months for issuance for years

New digital asset lender launches
Ex credit trader among team looking to bring structure to crypto market

Credit funds at a glance (September 2023)
A round-up of people moves and fund raising  

Credit hedge fund returns (September 2023)
Credit hedge fund returns  

CLO funds are hot in summer as they take nine spots in top 10 (Fund performance)
CLO funds took the lead through summer as the returns of the category index reached 1.88% and 3.18% in June and July, respectively. Both months saw a CLO fund as the top performer — Sound Point Meridian in June, and Oxford Gate Master Fund in July.

Hayfin secures its largest private credit fundraise to date with €6 billion in commitments
Hayfin's latest private credit fundraise exceeds target goals, securing more than €6 billion in capital commitments

Veteran Credit Suisse fixed income fund director leaves firm
Credit Suisse loses head of fixed income fund selection to Lombard Odier 

Asset management firm creates new credit platform
Insurance and asset management firm Nassau launches new credit platform with more than $8 billion in assets under management. 

Proposed regulation changes could open up US CLO funds to UK investors
Proposed changes to the UK Securitisation framework may expand the investor base for US structured credit if passed.

Question your assumptions
Valuing CLO paper is complicated, and loan prepayments are one of the trickiest parts. When pricing a new issue CLO, the market generally assumes that 15-20% of loans will prepay their principal annually. This prepayment rate is important because it essentially determines the pace at which a CLO’s rated debt is paid off after the reinvestment period, when the CLO pays down its own principal.

Fund performance
Good month for CLO funds sees six in top 10 as Axiom sets pace

Credit hedge funds
Credit hedge funds performance data

Credit funds at a glance
Fund performance, fund raising and LP commitments

Sound Point becomes 5th largest CLO manager as Assured deal completes
Sound Point announced the completion of its partnership with Assured Guaranty yesterday jumping Sound Point into position as 5th largest CLO manager in the world.

Blackstone rethinks captive equity strategy
Blackstone has announced proposals to wind down its existing risk retention vehicle, Blackstone Loan Financing Limited (BGLF).

Secondary activity ramps up as post-Barcelona rally continues
BWIC activity across European ABS and CLOs increased this week as investors and asset managers look to take some risk off heading into the summer  

Union Bancaire Privée adds new strategy to fixed income plans
Union Bancaire Privée has expanded its fixed income offering with a new high-income strategy investing in high-yield bonds, subordinate corporate and financial debt and securitized credit, such as CLOs

Carlyle names future CFO
Carlyle has named John Redett its new chief financial officer and head of corporate strategy, the company has said.

Managers scramble to launch captive equity funds as they become best route to market
A plethora of CLO managers are eyeing captive equity fund launches in 2023 with the lack of such vehicles cited as the “main hurdle” for issuing deals.

Morgan Stanley snags Credit Suisse structuring veteran
Morgan Stanley has hired a structured credit veteran to run its corporate credit financing business in EMEA