Credit pickers will win as high yield spreads widen in 2019, predicts Citi
After a volatile 2018 in the credit derivatives market, there are reasons to be optimistic this year for the best credit pickers, according to Citi’s global credit derivatives outlook

Sears leaves mark as credit event scrap hits deadlock
Sears Roebuck Acceptance Corp (SRAC) has prompted the first external review of a credit event since Novo Banco in 2016, after the Americas Determinations Committee (DC) failed to reach agreement on deliverables into an auction to settle the US retailer’s credit default swaps  

Cash-CDS basis set for comeback after "falling knife" mishap, predicts BNP Paribas
The beginning of 2019 should revive interest among credit investors to trade the basis between cash bonds and credit default swaps, according to BNP Paribas strategists – following what they term “falling knife” dynamics in this year’s fourth quarter

Creditex obtains CFTC swap execution facility exemption
Creditex, the electronic brokerage for corporate bonds and credit default swaps, has been granted an exemption from a requirement to register with the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission as a swap execution facility

Market favours retrospective over forward-looking approach to Ibor benchmark fallbacks, says Isda
New benchmark fallbacks for derivatives contracts that reference interbank offered rates are likely to be based on the “compounded setting in arrears rate” and the “historical mean/median approach to the spread adjustment”, the International Swaps and Derivatives Association has said

DTCC begins test phase for blockchain credit derivatives platform
15 of the world’s largest banks have begun testing the blockchain-based credit derivatives platform by the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation

CLO baskets empty as Sears declares bankruptcy
Although Sears has been a prevalent name in loan trading over the years, it had been cleared from most CLO portfolios well before the event

Isda and Linklaters roll out test version of initial margin docs service
Five and a half months of partnership between the International Swaps and Derivatives Association and Linklaters has borne fruit, with the launch of a test version of an online tool that will allow firms to electronically negotiate and execute initial margin (IM) documentation

CFTC to loosen cross-border rules for swaps
The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is looking to ease its cross-border swaps regulation

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

Rallye races towards over 50s club in CDS as Astaldi faces Crossover index ejection
Rallye, the parent company of supermarket chain Casino Guichard-Perrachon and a former fellow-constituent of credit default swap index iTraxx Crossover, has surged wider to near 50 points up front in five-year CDS trading

Mediobanca hires experienced credit trader to build out loan franchise
Mediobanca has appointed an ex-Deutsche Bank senior credit trader as head of loan trading

Central clearer resource concentration puts systemic risk in spotlight
A joint study by regulators has revealed that default resources are increasingly concentrated in just two central counterparties

IHS Markit obtains FCA approval as benchmark administrator under BMR
IHS Markit has been approved by the Financial Conduct Authority as an authorised benchmark administrator under the European Benchmark Regulation (BMR)

Pension fund set to vote on rescinding York credit commitment and cutting Tricadia
The investment committee at San Bernardino County Employees’ Retirement Association has recommended that the pension fund rescind its commitment to a structured credit fund managed by York Capital Management, and terminate its relationship with multi-strategy credit manager Tricadia Capital Management

UK funds brace themselves against value-for-money ruling
The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published its final set of fund governance rules that aim to strengthen the duty of authorised fund managers to their investors.

Blackstone's GSO launches second credit alpha fund
GSO Capital Partners has launched its second Credit Alpha Fund, US SEC filings indicate

Former Claren Road professionals raise more than $274 million for credit fund
New York based Duane Park Credit Management has raised more than $274 million for its credit fund since launching in 2016, regulatory filings indicate

US pension scheme puts $100 million into top-performing CQS fund
A multi-strategy credit fund run by CQS has earned a $100 million commitment from a US pension fund

Nomura renews interest in synthetic CDOs by targeting full-cap deals
After sitting on the sidelines last year, Nomura has returned to the bespokes space

New tailored credit index tranches draw in private bank investors
A new product aimed at private banks is quietly taking off in the synthetic structured credit space

Chenavari fund swells assets by $72 million following relaunch
Chenavari has grown assets of a long/short credit vehicle by more than $70 million following the vehicle’s relaunch last year, its co-manager says

Long-short manager Kingdon grows its credit fund
Kingdon Capital Management's credit assets under management have increased over the last year, SEC filings suggest

West coast manager's long-short credit fund hits $595 million
Symphony Asset Management has raised $594.90 million for its BayCity Long-Short Credit Fund, a $10 million increase in just over a year

Saba's former head of Europe lands at large credit hedge fund manager
The former head of Europe for Saba Capital Management has become a London-based credit manager's second major hire in four months