Market rout drives US/Europe credit convergence, as Brazil leads Latin widening
Credit spreads have sharply widened globally as financial markets are being rocked by concerns for a trade war and rising US rates. An equity-led rout in the US yesterday afternoon

65% of distressed managers plan new funds over the next year, survey finds
Distressed debt is proving to be a popular strategy for managers, with 65% intending to launch a distressed strategy in the next 12 months, according to a report by Creditflux’s sister publication Debtwire and law firm Ropes & Gray.     

Massachusetts pension fund invests $75 million with TowerBrook
Mass PRIM) has made a $75 million commitment to New-York based TowerBrook Capital Partners for its second structured opportunities fund, according to 15 May board documentation

Ares emerges as favourite to take over troubled direct lending fund
Following Oaktree’s wind-down request, the board of the Ranger Direct Lending Fund has chosen Ares as replacement manager - moves which could see the fund change its focus from peer-to-peer loan investments to asset-backed loans

Axa IM holds €1.1 billion final close on European infrastructure debt fund
Axa Investment Managers – Real Assets (AXA IM) held a final close on its co-mingled pan-European infrastructure debt fund at over €1.1 billion, a spokesperson has confirmed

European direct lending up 34% in recent quarter: Deloitte report
Direct lending in Europe continues to boom, according to the latest Deloitte deal tracker, which found a 34% growth of direct lending deals in third quarter 2017 alone compared to third quarter 2016

Private debt performance shines in institutional investing study
A quarter of institutional investors say private debt outperformed their expectations over 12 months to 28 August 2017

Balance of power shifts away from direct lenders
Mid-sized corporations are getting their way at the expense of direct lenders at the negotiation table, recent research suggests.

Deutsche Bank prices UK marketplace lending securitisation
P2P Global Investments has priced its second securitisation of marketplace lending assets from the Zopa platform, Marketplace Originated Consumer Assets 2017-1, according to a source 

Price talk circulates on new Moca marketplace lending securitisation
P2P Global Investments has announced initial price thoughts for its second securitisation of marketplace lending loans from the Zopa platform

Axa IM puts money to work in the US as it closes global real estate debt fund
AXA’s real estate investments arm has closed its 10^th commercial real estate senior debt fund after achieving its capped target of €1.5 billion