Audax ties Churchill in 1H26 US direct-lender rankings as deal sizes increase – 1H26 US Direct Lender Rankings
US direct lending volume was broadly stable in the first half of 2026, reaching USD 155.6bn across 1,645 deals, compared with USD 154.2bn across 1,716 transactions in 1H25, according to Debtwire's 1H26 US Direct Lender Rankings report

KKR becomes latest big-name manager to price static private credit CLO in 2026
KKR has issued the first new CLO under its Lending Partners shelf in half a decade, with the USD 624m private credit deal issuing as a non-reinvesting transaction through BNP Paribas

Private credit secondaries deals more than doubled in 1H—Evercore
The first half of the year saw private credit secondaries volume balloon to USD 20bn, surpassing full-year 2025 volumes, with GP-led deals dominating, a new report from Evercore shows

Golub prices USD 625m private credit CLO
Santander acted as the arranger for Golub Capital Partners CLO 92(M), which issued its triple A paper at SOFR plus 146bps

CalPERS expands Goldman Sachs credit commitments, South Carolina picks Barings fund
CalPERS commits another USD 750m to West Street credit vehicles; South Carolina RSIC allocates USD 250m to a Barings fund

Optimum to show restructuring proposal to creditors’ advisors as company presses for deal before 4Q
Market participants discuss fraudulent conveyance claims amid reorganisation; creditor advisors are already restricted to review diligence documents

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

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

Michigan, New Mexico make large bets on asset-based credit strategies
Michigan SIB commits USD 800m to Apollo, LGT credit funds; New Mexico SIC allocates USD 400m for Ares, Pemberton funds

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

First Brands secures final mediation extension to advance case resolution talks, judge warns against further delays
Judge approves extension of FBG case resolution mediation with Judge Isgur through 27 March; likely the final extension for case resolution talks

Loan ETFs see massive outflows as retail investors react to software, Iran
EXCLUSIVE: The software sell-off and Iranian conflict have rattled the retail market and led to a spike in outflows, according to Octaura data

BlackRock TCP reports new write-downs, wiping out 19% of NAV
Loans on non-accrual now account for 9.7% of cost for the BDC’s portfolio and 4% of fair value, the fourth quarter earnings presentation shows

Golub reset sets fresh AAA market tight for private credit CLOs
Golub Capital Partners CLO 71(M)-R issued its top-of-stack paper at SOFR plus 135bps, two bps inside the previous low

NYS system commits USD 500m as Illinois plans private credit RFP
NYSCRF allocates USD 500m to BlackRock, Ares and Pearl Diver; Boston, San Joaquin pensions also reveal recent commitments; Illinois police pension plans private credit search in June

Private credit manager Varagon prices second CLO
Arranged by BNP Paribas, the USD 592m MDL Structured Notes II is the manager’s first CLO issue since its market debut in October 2024

CLO ETFs attracted USD 14.8bn of investor cash in 2025 – Morningstar
Total net inflows for US-domiciled CLO ETFs fell short of the highs seen in 2024

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

Blackstone starts new fundraising round for institutional, evergreen US direct lending fund
The alternative asset management giant is back to raise more capital for Blackstone Senior Direct Lending Fund after previously closing on USD 22bn in October 2024

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

LPs seek cyclical private credit play amid US economic uncertainty
Many LPs pivoted to all-weather private credit strategies in recent years, but interest in more opportunistic and special-sits strategies reliant on a credit downturn are picking up once more

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

BC Partners Credit launches evergreen fund for dedicated specialty finance strategy
EXCLUSIVE: The new vehicle will be seeded with eight performing specialty finance loans