First movers in focus for CDS as market grinds to new tights
First is the operative word in corporate credit movers this week, with UK transport firm Firstgroup leading European CDS improvers while FirstEnergy Corp heads the worst performers in the US

DC sets Wirecard CDS auction date, obligations and settlement terms
The Determinations Committee for Europe, Middle East and Africa has set a date to settle CDS contracts referencing German digital payments company Wirecard

Europe hits post-covid tights on hard-fought recovery package deal
European credit spreads are hitting their tightest prints since the coronavirus outbreak began, with European Union leaders having agreed a €750 billion recovery package following protracted talks

Former JP Morgan credit correlation head launches $200 million fund
The former head of credit correlation trading at JP Morgan has launched a global credit fund management business with $200 million of assets, according to market sources

Chesapeake auction delayed over convertibles question
A credit event auction to settle Chesapeake Energy Corporation CDS has been postponed for at least two weeks while the Determinations Committee seeks clarity on status of the company's convertible bonds

Chesapeake auction could face delay over convertible conundrum
A credit event auction next week to settle Chesapeake Energy Corporation CDS could be postponed as uncertainty hangs over the status of the company's convertible bonds

Wirecard CDS auction set to have two deliverables
Two notes look set to be deliverable into an auction to settle Wirecard CDS, according to an initial list published by the EMEA Determinations Committee

Shot in the arm for US credit as vaccine results prompt outperformance
US credit markets have gained a chance to catch up with European improvement this week, after positive results from a coronavirus vaccine test prompted US outperformance, particularly in high yield

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

Atlantia enters fast lane in market rally
Atlantia, the Italian infrastructure company, is one of today's biggest movers in the credit market, on reports of progress in its wrangle with the Italian government over a toll road concession as well as plans to sell this business arm

US/Europe gap widens as states roll back reopening plans
Decoupling of US and European performance is the stand-out feature of credit this week, in which fears of a pandemic second wave and further US/China wrangles hold market improvement in check

Wirecard splits DC on auction vote
Wirecard has caused a split at the Determinations Committee, whose members only narrowly reached a supermajority vote to hold a credit even auction for the German digital payments company

Chesapeake deliverables point to big pay-out on CDS
An initial list of deliverable obligations to settle CDS referencing Chesapeake Energy Corporation at auction points to a pay-out of over 97 cents to protection buyers - higher than where five-year contracts are priced

Chesapeake CDS auction date set
Dealers have set a date to settle Chesapeake Energy Corp CDS, in what will be the thirteenth credit event auction of 2020

California Res auction brings 99 cent problem for CDS protection sellers
An auction to settle CDS referencing California Resources Corp has settled at just 1.125 cents, meaning a 98.875 cents pay-out to protection buyers

Tabula launches ETF to short US high yield credit
Tabula Investment Management, a fixed income exchange traded fund (ETF) provider, has added a product that offers short position exposure to North American high yield corporate credit

Selecta Group CDS gets caffeine jitters
Against a general rallying trend in the European high yield market, Swiss coffee machine vendor Selecta Group is a big widener today in five-year CDS - even as its bonds and shorter tenor protection show much more stability

Europe leads opening rally, with Asian boost to autos, banks and commodity traders
A bullish tone in Asia around the economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic has carried over into the rest of the credit market at the start of the week, taking European spreads tighter and pointing to a solid opening for the US after its long weekend

Candriam agrees deal for Rothschild's European fund of fund business
Candriam has bought Rothschild’s “multi-management” business, representing €350 million of assets

Europe outshines US despite caution on inflows and second wave
A week characterised by lower volatility and awash with returning European high yield issuance is ending on a cautious tone, with the US market on holiday and 'second wave' covid concerns bringing a pause to the credit rally

Curves and skews come back into play as CDS volumes swell
The rapid growth of the CDS market during the coronavirus pandemic has been consolidated in the second quarter, with investors putting on trades not seen in such volume since the 2008 financial crisis.

High yield borrowers face pressure over social data
Two major themes of the credit market in 2020 are on a collision course: high yield issuers playing catch-up after a dearth of issuance and the Black Lives Matter movement putting the focus on the S of ESG investing

Calpers plans $80 billion leverage play to boost returns
California Public Employees’ Retirement System has outlined plans to boost returns for its nearly $400 billion portfolio in the long term. But the proposal, dubbed ‘towards a 7% solution’, has come under criticism

Governance has greatest impact on short-term changes in company valuation out of ESG factors, finds MSCI
Governance has more impact than environmental and social factors on company financial fundamentals and stock price in the short term, but ‘E’ and ‘S’ play their part over the long term, according to analysis from MSCI