Weekly News – February 2

Creditor Corner

for the week ended February 2, 2024

Your weekly curated content from the Creditor Rights Coalition

Over 2,400 member subscribers and growing!

Sign Up Here

BREAKING NEWS

Evergrande goes under, Byju’s files for BK, Incora trial surprises, regional banking woes, FTX to the moon, Dish heats up, Gatto’s best seller hits the stands, Brian Higgins speaks up, and much, much more…


FEATURED CONTENT

Bruce Richards on the Markets:

What does your default model forecast?

Sign Up Here

Scroll through to read all of our content

In The News

Evergrande brings down China property sector

Back In The News

Remember this one?

Find the First Day Declaration Here

Our take:

We wrote here about Byju’s aggressive tactics in DQ’ing a sophisticated lender’s trade to avoid acceleration of a $1.2 billion term loan. This was a thinly disguised attempt to avoid answering questions about a half billion dollars that had gone missing. The whole thing seemed bizarre at the time. Boy, were we wrong. From New York to Delaware to Florida courts and now back to Delware in front of BankruptcyJudge Dorsey lenders are seeking (and deserve) answers.


Are there wider implications here for nascent Indian insolvency laws and the climate for international investment in India?

Tell us what you think here

Exclusive Content

Incora down for the count…

Click on the Image to Access the Full Report

Our take:

We can’t help but wonder how the debtor’s bar is viewing the SDTX.

Tell us what you think here

In The News

Signature Bank Chapter 22???

In The News

Regional banks face $685 billion of Unrealized Losses

Not going away anytime soon

Data Download

Don’t miss this DIP data report 

Exclusive Content

Click on the Image to Access the Full Report
One-time registration required

In The News

Post-petition interest???

Exclusive Content

Dish heats up

Click on the Image to Access the Full Report

One-time registration required

Exclusive Content

Let’s get ready to rumble!

Click on the Image to Access the Full Report

One-time registration required

Tweet Of The Week

Are markets getting ahead of themselves??

Read all of our Exclusive Features Here

What We’re Reading

Michael Gatto’s long awaited resource is out!

Get yours!

Purchase Book

Podcast of the Week

Visit Podcast

Bruce Richards on the Markets

What does Your Default Model Forecast?


1) Moody’s expects the global speculative-grade nonfinancial corporate default rate to reach 4.9% by April 1, 2024. Subsequently, Moody’s credit model calls for a decrease to 4.1% on Q2/2024, before stabilizing between 3.7% to 4.0% in 2H of ‘24. Elevated SOFR base borrowing rates will keep default rates elevated from historical averages, negatively impacting many highly levered companies. In Europe, the EU growth rate has been anemic, while the U.S. GDP growth has been surprisingly resilient despite a big gap between IG credit and B- rated companies (most B- are burning cash to service debt). Industry sectors led by durable consumer goods, business services, healthcare, and high-tech industries to be most challenged with many restructurings likely to unfold. Moody’s projects the US speculative-grade default rate to peak at 5.8% in the first quarter 2024 and remain elevated through 2024. Loan defaults are likely to exceed bond defaults, given elevated SOFR rates and greater leverage ratios.


2) Morningstar’s LSTA US Leveraged Loan Index shows a 2.05% issuer count and 1.53% amount payment default rate, with a 3.84% dual-track default rate by issuer count. This 25-year data for the US leveraged loans began in October 1998 averaging 2.67% (amount) and 2.47% (count). The current 3.84% dual-track rate is nearing the pandemic peak compared to the traditional payment default rate.


3) Bank of America Securities recently concluded its study that I found quite interesting. While the Moody’s analysis centers on rated HY bonds/BSL, BofA’s report evaluated direct lending associated with Middle Market Lending, an asset class that has grown to $1.6 trillion outstanding par amount. BofA’s Corporate Credit report states US Private Credit implied leverage is ~ 6x with Direct lending (DL) recently becoming vulnerable to potential restructurings as well given leverage ratios and higher financing costs (+200bp higher for DL issuers vs. BSL market). While Direct Lending generates higher yields vs. its liquid counterpart (BSL), the rate burden for an obligor has resulted in a “meaningfully higher trailing 12-month private default rate that rose to 7.7% vs 2.5% for the overall HY market,†BofA said, noting the risk premium on Direct Lending provides “a good margin of safety for new money entering the asset classâ€


Projected default rates certainly vary across sources – KBRA reported Direct Lending defaults of 2.1% in 2023 and to increase to 2.75% in 2024, with BSL at 5.8%.


Global Credit managers will have a busy 2024 if Moody’s, LSTA data, BofA and KBRA are directionally correct. While many aggressive legacy lenders must now contend with problem loans in their portfolio, there will be a big need for creative capital that offers flexible solutions. Private Credit fund managers like Marathon Asset Management is laser focused on this opportunity as we selectively provide Capital Solutions to quality companies in need of funding.

To follow Bruce’s thoughts on markets, investing, and more follow @bruce_markets

Chart of the Week

Calm before the storm?

Read all of our Exclusive Features Here

Meet Our Sponsors

The CRC is funded through sponsorships from these organizations

Platinum Sponsors

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors

Featured Event

February 23

The must-attend event!

Upcoming Events

SFNET: Las Vegas Asset-Based Capital Conference

February 6, 2024

Learn More

TMA: 2024 Last Vegas Distressed Investing Conference

February 8, 2024

Learn More

City Bar Bankruptcy Committee & ACFA: Hot Topics in Bankruptcy

February 13, 2024

Learn More

City Bar Bankruptcy Committee & ACFA: Hot Topics in Bankruptcy

February 15, 2024

Learn More

ACFA: Liability Management Transactions Program

March 14, 2024

Learn More

ABF Journal: 15th Annual Philadelphia Restructuring Summit

March 21, 2024

Learn More

We Have Updated our Email Platform

Please provide us with your feedback and any suggestions to improve the Creditor Corner

Have Something to Share?

Email us at info@creditorcoalition.org