AI blockbuster deals surge as Middle East conflict test dealmaker confidence
Mergermarkets M&A Highlights 1Q26: Global M&A volume jumped 22% to the second highest start ever

Asia private credit revisits fixed-rate loan option – Muzinich
With expectations that interest rates will decline, private credit managers in Asia are looking to switch back to making fixed-rate loans

17Capital raises USD 5.5bn for NAV lending to private funds
The alternative credit firm claims its 17Capital Strategic Lending Fund 6 is the largest NAV lending fund seen in the market to date

KKR establishes dedicated Middle East investment team
The alternative investment manager has also tapped US General David Petraeus to serve as chairman of the region

PAG raises USD 1.25bn for significant risk transfers
The Hong Kong-based alternative asset manager is expecting the SRT market to grow at a 30% to 40% rate annually over the next few years

Australian money manager plans to launch AUD 1bn IG fund
An Australian alternative asset manager is planning to launch a new AUD 1bn investment grade debt fund, drawing on the country's pension system as a major source of fundraising

Credit PM pair seek galaxy of opportunities with long/short fund manager launch
Two experienced portfolio managers have set up a new venture to take advantage of volatile markets

Credit Rendezvous: the upside of inflation
It is clear, inflation is not transitory and central banks are acting with several interest rate hikes likely in store for the US this year. That makes loans and CLO debt tranches attractive, but there could be opportunities beyond these floating rate assets

Robeco adds Asia fixed income head and builds team ahead of strategy launch
Robeco has made a senior hire with a focus on credit and sustainability as it moves staff from Rotterdam in preparation to launch a new fixed income strategy

Middle east firm hires high profile loan official to build on control CLO equity business
Middle east asset manager Lakemore Partner is doubling down on CLOs with the control CLO equity investor hiring one of the biggest names in the loan and CLO management business

CSO pipeline strengthens following ESG breakthrough
ESG criteria and longer investment horizons are driving new business in a resurgent bespoke tranche market, say dealers. And while this is unlikely to get 2021 near to a 2019-like haul of deals by year end, hopes are high that volume is firmly back on an upwards traject

LP round up: pensions plan private credit pacing as strategic credit takes on "midfield" role
US pensions have allocated $1.4 billion across 22 credit funds including those managed by Angelo Gordon, Ares and GoldenTree, according to recent board documents seen by Creditflux. Meanwhile a pension fund draws parallels between strategic credit and Jordan Henderson

EnTrust aims to onboard $1 billion for maritime direct lending fund by June
EnTrust Global is targeting $1 billion for a maritime direct lending fund, Blue Ocean Onshore Fund, and anticipates a final close in June

Credit hits new wides as US and Europe ramp up coronavirus battle plans
An emergency weekend rate cut by the US Federal Reserve as well as population lockdowns in France and Spain underscore that measures of economic risk have moved to a more systemic level as world governments scramble to deal with the impact of the coronavirus outbreak

Credit breakdown as one-day volatility outstrips financial crisis
Credit default swap markets have surpassed the record one-day volatility of the global financial crisis, with indices surging to new wide prints as the spiralling impact of the coronavirus outbreak brings government lockdowns on travel while wreaking havoc on oil prices and supply chains

Credit traders' kickstand: this is not a drill
Freefall in financial markets has brought one of the credit market’s most volatile sessions on record, as coronavirus cases globally near 100,000 and the WHO has warned governments are not doing nearly enough. iTraxx Crossover one-day volatility is up with the 2008 global financial crisis and 2011 European sovereign crisis

EFA holds first close on Asian private credit fund
EFA Group has held a first close on its Asian private credit fund, according to an announcement by the firm

No 2020 recession, cyclical bonds will outperform and CLOs won't crash, says BNP Paribas
There will not be a recession in 2020 and investors should stay long credit with the expectation that high yield cyclical and non-financial borrowers will outperform in a bullish market, BNP Paribas strategists have confidently predicted

US pensions funds allocate to Lone Star and Raven credit strategies
Two US-based pension schemes have invested in funds with exposure to credit, highlighting the appetite of institutional investors towards off-the-run asset classes.

Ostrum hires Mizuho's Asian structured finance head for private debt expansion in Hong Kong
Ostrum Asset Management has bolstered its Asia-Pacific operations by launching a Hong Kong subsidiary focused on private debt

Man GLG adds credit portfolio manager in London
Man GLG has appointed a lead portfolio manager from Aventicum Capital Management

Allianz IM puts $200 million into Indian private debt
Allianz Investment Management has committed $200 million into the private debt platform of Edelweiss, an Indian diversified financial services firm.