We all have a few sad childhood memories. One of our lowest moments was coming home for Thanksgiving freshman year to discover our younger brother had traded away our baseball card collection. We had gifted him the shoebox full of Topps stars that summer, assuming he would prize it highly. Turns out he prized his…
“The easy money has been made; the harder money is left.” We noted this recently from an experienced asset manager reflecting on the current investing market. It’s fairly typical of a public trading approach emerging from a period of low prices. Eventually the worry discount goes away as fear fades. Finding the next bargain then…
Our characterization of the current economic picture as a “precession” took into account the second quarter’s negative GDP data. But last week’s “blowout” labor report for July – 528,000 jobs added – combined with unemployment edging down to 3.5%, hardly depict the prelude to a recession. The number of jobs now stands where it did…
News reached us last week of the demise of the Choco Taco. Or not. Cousin to the Klondike Bar, this chocolate-nut-waffle-taco-vanilla-fudge-ice-cream novelty seemed to be yet another victim of supply-chain issues when its manufacturer announced it was being discontinued. Choco-Taco’s creator chalked it up to the times. “I believe if there had never been Covid…
One of the enduring mysteries of human behavior is our perpetual discomfort with the present. Why can’t today be more like yesterday? Yet when tomorrow brings the hoped-for change, we are invariably chagrined. Oscar Wilde captured this tendency when he wrote, “When the gods want to punish you, they answer your prayers.” Lenders like to…
Last week’s June CPI report showed inflation running at 9.1%, higher than May’s number, dashing hopes that consumer prices had peaked. Data drivers were also broad-based, including energy, food and housing, challenging the Fed’s rate hike pace. Would 75 bps be enough, or will the Fed kick it up to a previously unimagined 1% later…
In our series on portfolio construction [link] we looked at how liquid and illiquid loan managers assemble quality all-weather assets. Because of the contrasting characteristics and behaviors of BSL and middle market, PMs work differently to extract and maintain value. In recent months, thanks to market volatility caused by higher interest rates, toppy inflation, and…
“Broadly syndicated loans are liquid, so have high volatility that exaggerates credit deterioration,” one market observer told us recently. “The middle market,” he continued, “is illiquid, so has low volatility which can mask credit deterioration.” How do PMs in these strategies manage through market volatility and maintain credit quality? Large cap loan buyers act like…
Many direct lenders have oriented their platforms around financing only businesses backed by private equity sponsors. While non-sponsored strategies have certain benefits, the presence of an owner with its own separate track record, select industry experience, and deal sourcing prowess to draft behind, gives relationship lenders distinct advantages. This is particularly true when it comes…
“What’s the key portfolio strategy managers should employ for success?” “Diversify!” That’s how one top PM answered our question. There are many levels and measures of diversity. You don’t want to be stuck with large exposures in any one industry, no matter how resilient it may seem. Healthcare, 20% of the US economy, is a…