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Preqin Private Debt Intelligence - 4/25/2016

European Direct Lending Surpasses North America Direct lending has become a staple element of the private debt market in both North America and Europe in recent years, providing investors with an alternative risk/return profile compared to more traditional mezzanine or distressed debt opportunities. However, differing regulatory environments between the two regions have proved a boon…

Chart of the Week - Grinding Higher

Secondary loan prices have edged up since year-end, on increased investor confidence and lack of new supply. Leveraged Loan Bid Levels Source: S&P Capital IQ; data for selected flow names

The Pulse of Private Equity - 4/25/2016

PE Firms Looking Lower for Value As prices remain stubbornly high in many cases, a surge in overall private equity deal value in the reaches of the U.S. lower middle market is not wholly unexpected – on a quarterly basis, deal value was up by over 80% from 4Q while transactions jumped 14% in number….

Markit Recap – 4/18/2016

Brazil leads as credit risk in Latam region recedes Brazil’s 5-yr sovereign CDS spread has tightened to its lowest level since last August Peru, Chile and Colombia have all seen a 35% tightening in sovereign credit spreads Markit iBoxx USD Emerging Markets Corporates LatAm Index has returned 7.7% this year Credit markets reacted positively after…

Where’s the Deal Flow? (Last of a Series)

The question surrounding the leverage loan pipeline involves many factors. We’ve discussed some of them, including regulatory bank hurdles, uncertainty surrounding the economy, and hesitation by private equity sponsors to pay high multiples. Several readers weighed in with their own perspectives on the slowdown. “First quarter always has some degree of seasonality,” the CEO of…

Chart of the Week - Exit Ramp

With purchase price multiples high, sponsors have sold or taken public more than 2500 portfolio companies since 2014. Quarterly US PE Exit Activity Source: PitchBook

Leveraged Loan Insight & Analysis - 4/18/2016

Exploration and production companies continue to feel the crunch from low oil prices, which began their slide in mid-2014.  While oil prices have rebounded from this year’s February lows, the uplift is facing major headwinds as OPEC members and Russia recently announced they wouldn’t freeze production.  Many companies have filed for bankruptcy and more are expected…