Featuring Charts
Chart of the Week: Slowing the Slowdown
Notwithstanding tariffs, economists now view the chances of a recession fading. Source: WSJ Surveys of Economists
Read MoreChart of the Week: Wealth Effects
The share of wealth assets dedicated to private credit is on the rise. Source: FT, Oliver Wyman
Read MoreChart of the Week: Secondary Effects
Since Liberation Day, leveraged loan trading prices have slowly moved higher. Source: Bloomberg US Leveraged Loan Index
Read MoreChart of the Week: The Comeback Kid
Since the 2021 peak, global M&A activity has been on the rebound. Source: LSEG
Read MoreChart of the Week: Midcaps Motor On
Through Covid and rate hikes, middle market loan issuance has tracked up. Source: LevFin Insights, a Fitch Solutions company
Read MoreChart of the Week: Mission Unstoppable
Private credit AUM expected to continue steady growth, driven by direct lending. Source: Fitch Ratings, Preqin
Read MoreSubscribe Now!
Join the leading voice of the middle market. Try us free for 30 days.
Click here to view the Newsletter sample.
What is the Lead Left?
- One-stop source for deals and data
- Market trend commentary and analysis
- Exclusive interviews with thought leaders
View Article By
Features
Middle Market & Private Credit – 7/14/2025

Private Credit, Public Debate Richard Hunter, Chief Risk Officer at Fitch Ratings, recently published an op-ed sharing his insights on private credit. He addressed frequent questions we receive, including: Does Private Mean Opaque?… Subscribe to Read MoreAlready a member? Log in here...
Leveraged Loan Insight & Analysis – 7/14/2025

2Q25 Total US direct lending LBO volume down over 47% quarter over quarter Talk of tariffs, inflation fears and anticipation of a congressional show down over the Trump administration’s “big, beautiful bill” contributed to heightened market uncertainty throughout much of 2Q25 and the direct lender loan market was not immune to the fall out…. Subscribe
Bloomberg: Leveraged Lending Insights – 7/14/2025

Leveraged Loan Launches Accelerate in July Click here to access Bloomberg’s US Leveraged Finance Chartbook After launching over $33bn into the broadly syndicated US leveraged loan market last week, issuers have continued to jump into the market, with an additional $39.84bn launching so far this week through Wednesday July 16th…. Subscribe to Read MoreAlready a
The Pulse of Private Equity – 7/14/2025

US PE fundraising activity Download PitchBook’s Report here. PE fundraising has landed at a lower level than in 2024, which was already a worse year for fundraising than the three years prior, where the industry saw record-setting fundraising…. Subscribe to Read MoreAlready a member? Log in here...
Bloomberg: Leveraged Lending Insights – 7/7/2025

US Leveraged Loan Issuance Tops $65bn in June June’s 75 deals for $66b was up $34.4b, or 109%, from the previous month’s $31.6b, but was down $83.6b or 56% from the same month a year ago. It brought the Q2 total to $107.4b across 128 deals for a 68% decline from the first quarter total…
Beginning in July 2022 The Lead Left published a series of articles on credit market. This report consolidates those articles.
Cov-lite trends Inflation & rising interest rates – LIBOR to SOFR transition Mega-tranche uni trend ESG takes center stage Login to view interactive report and download PDF version. … Subscribe to Read MoreAlready a member? Log in here Related posts: 2H 2021 Midyear Outlook Report State of the Capital Markets – Fourth Quarter 2016 Review and
Beginning in September 2021 The Lead Left published a series of articles on supply chain. This report consolidates those articles.