Evolving M&A is transforming the capital formation landscape – KKR
'Critical' link between M&A and credit is set to fuel growth in private markets

JPMorgan credit research team pitches top trades at levfin conference, strategists recommend overweight BBs
Buy opportunities in AT1 debt, periphery banks, Ardagh Metal, Altice France, Ithaca; Sell ideas on Guala Closures, Nissan, Nomad Foods, Hapag Lloyd
 

Rush to exit bankruptcy pushes more companies to file a second time
Four companies file for second time in 2025, up from one last year; Poor prognosis for Chapter 22 filers, with high liquidation rates  

Corporate default rates predicted to fall despite tariff uncertainty - S&P
Speculative-grade corporate default rates expected to fall on both sides of the Atlantic as trade tension uncertainty eases, but some concerns remain

PetSmart, Upbound Group find refi opportunities as summer lull sets in
PetSmart, Upbound Group refinance debt amidst favorable conditions, as market participants eye a pick up in primary activity after Labor Day
 

KKR grows ABF business to USD 75bn, expands origination
The alternative asset manager acquired a majority stake in a biopharma royalties business this week to add to its asset-backed finance business

Pimco urges caution in credit markets despite recent resilience
The resilience of the private sector has supported the credit market in the first half of the year, despite “whipsawing” market volatility, a new report from Pimco has found. 

European CLOs back on track for record year, but caution remains – Global ABS panellists
Panellists at this year’s Global ABS conference in Barcelona say European CLO issuance has recovered from its April hiatus – but concerns remain, especially over lack of leveraged loan supply and deteriorating credit quality

Hayfin hires Man's former CLO PM for European high yield, loans research
Jason Late will serve as a co-portfolio manager for the European high yield and syndicated loan strategy

Volatility could cause credit markets to break this year – TCW’s Bryan Whalen
PODCAST: Investors aren’t being paid enough of a premium for the risks in US corporate credit, TCW’s chief investment officer of fixed income told Creditflux’s Lisa Lee on the latest ‘Credit Exchange’ podcast  

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  

Tariffs will push up default rates for several years, say agencies and managers
After an uptick in leveraged loan defaults culled weaker credits in 2024, many expected default rates to fall in 2025. But the uncertainty stemming from the Trump administration’s tariffs means those assumptions are now under threat

Lenders hit by LMEs will eventually have to increase the cost of capital
Chipping away at what has made loans successful has a cost

Clearlake abandons bank-led option for a private credit loan to replace Dun & Bradstreet financing
EXCLUSIVE: The private equity firm is going with the Ares-led private credit loan rather than tapping banks to raise debt in the capital markets 

Economic uncertainty clouds Milken conference but lev fin markets keep moving
Attendees leave a cloudy LA with few answers but a little more faith in the US leveraged finance markets

Uncertainty challenges credit underwriting but deal making continues
Panelists at the annual Milken Institute Global Conference this week said the environment is more favorable than many initially expected post 2 April

Private credit’s golden era never really ended – Blackstone’s Michael Zawadzki
On the Credit Exchange podcast, Lisa Lee speaks with the CIO of Blackstone Credit and Insurance about opportunities in volatile markets and the durability of private credit premiums

A&O Shearman exits continue with two partners jumping to Proskauer
Leveraged finance partners Alexandra de Padua and Frank Oliver join Proskauer’s global finance practice in New York

Leveraged loan, HY defaults to pick up as tariff pause adds more uncertainty - Goldman
The bank expects macro challenges to continue despite the tariff pause  

US CLO and leveraged loan market roiled by dramatic Trump tariffs
ANALYSIS: Leveraged loans and CLO fell lower in the aftermath's of President Donald Trump's new tariffs 

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"

Peraton taps Guggenheim, lenders organize with Davis Polk on DOGE worries
DEBTWIRE EXCLUSIVE: Lenders of Peraton, which has USD 6.145bn loan maturity in 2028, are preparing to take FA ptiches as company is reliant on federal contracts, and faces downgrade risk  

KKR, Capital Group set to launch a hybrid private-public credit fund for individuals
The new fund with a low minimum will invest across corporate direct lending, private asset-based lending and public fixed income

Rovensa pulls EUR 1.11bn TLB amend-and-extend following 13 March commitment deadline
Portugal-based crop protection company has halted its leveraegd loan deal as market conditions worsen

Refresco halts repricing and add-on transaction as market sentiment sours
Pulls deal from syndication as recent market volatility has made the repricing difficult to execute