Iran War to increase corporate default rates globally — IACPM Survey
Though the credit market is absorbing new leveraged loan issuance amid geopolitical uncertainty, credit managers expect the war to drive a rise in defaults

New European Partners Group CLO prices with delayed-issuance single B tranche
Both the triple As and double As were split across note and loan tranches, with the triple As issuing at the current market benchmark of 130bps over Euribor

CLO equity price decline represents compelling buying opportunity — CIFC
Over the next 12 to 24 months, CLO equity could generate returns comparable to those seen in 2023-2024, CIFC believes

M&A volume leap 20% to USD 1.38tn in first quarter of 2026
Even the Iran conflict has not arrested momentum among larger deals. A mammoth USD 122bn capital raise from OpenAI closed on the last day of the quarter, according to Mergermarket data

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

Euro CLO market perks up to close out week, as LGT and Capital Four price deals
A new issue from LGT Capital Partners and a reset from Capital Four came after a tepid week of issuance, impacted by the ongoing disruptive impacts of AI on software loans, allied to uncertainty stemming from the war in Iran

European CLO market predicted to double in size within five years
At the FT Live Euro CLO conference in London, managers have predicted rapid growth in the European market over the next five years

ABS primary braves geopolitical uncertainty as spreads start to feel pressure – European ABS Weekly Digest
The European ABS primary market mostly shunned geopolitical risk this week as seven deals priced, two of which were pre-placed

Eurazeo expands evergreen push across Europe as wealth inflows rise 18%
EUR 922m in wealth inflows in 2025, up 18%; Two evergreen launches in 2025, wealth AUM now EUR 5.8bn

CLO primary market in Europe to go quiet amid oil price upheaval – Acer Tree
EXCLUSIVE: No new issues are expected to reach the market this week as investors and managers take a wait-and-see approach following new geopolitical pressures 

Air Baltic and INEOS Quattro bonds fall, AD Education loan continues to slide – Market Comment
Latvian flagship airline Air Baltic’s EUR 380m 14.5% senior secured 2029 notes are 5 points down from Friday, while UK-based chemicals group INEOS Quattro’s EUR 775m 8.5% senior secured 2029 notes are 4.5 points down at 77.9-mid in the wake of rising costs stemming from the US/Iran conflict

TwentyFour AM favours European CLO equity going into 2026
In comparison, US CLO equity faces more challenges related to LMEs and refinancing activity, the asset manager said

Further lawyer moves predicted as competition for legal CLO talent intensifies

EXCLUSIVE: Shortage of talent amongst legal CLO specialists has fuelled speculation of more moves unless law firms prioritise staff retention

Altice France new capital structure starts trading as investors consider M&A potential
Restructuring completed as secured debt trades; break-up of Altice France business possible through sector consolidation

HSBC AM launches evergreen fund targeting trade, working capital assets
The new private credit strategy will invest in assets such as receivables and payables finance, trade loans and other instruments around the world

AlbaCore hires four to launch infra debt strategy
The European credit specialist jumps into the infrastructure space for the first time, tapping the former head of infrastructure debt at UBS Asset Management to lead the effort

Buyout Highlights - Overview of Europe Buyout and Financing Trends 1Q25
Leveraged loans are again the main source of financing for LBOs in Europe, providing 65% of the total volume issued in 1Q25  

Invesco raises more than USD 700m for distressed debt, special situations investments
Invesco Credit Partners III has yet to hold a final close and has already surpassed the size of its predecessor

Crestline raises USD 3.5bn for sponsor and nonsponsor-backed direct lending
The firm held a final close for its Crestline Direct Lending Fund IV

Tariff headlines drive some HY auto parts names lower as Babilou loan plunges – Market Comment
Markets are down following newsflow that US President Donald Trump announced a 10% tariff on all imports into the US, with even higher rates for countries he called the “worst offenders"

European CLO market weakens on shock US tariffs and trade war escalation
EXCLUSIVE: Traders in "price discovery mode" with CLO BBs down about 25bps points, and BBBs a point or more, while others see less of a decline in morning

Fund performance
August returns were largely positive for credit hedge funds, as 88% of those listed in the Creditflux database reached into the black

Fund performance
CLO funds dominate again as they take 18 spots in top 30 list

Golub prints tightest new middle-market CLO of 2024
Golub Capital, working with RBC Capital Markets, has priced a new middle market CLO with the tightest senior and mezz spreads so far this year

Allianz gears up to launch European credit impact investing fund
Allianz Global Investors filed regulatory documents in Luxembourg this week for a new impact investing fund, the latest in a string of similar strategies