Middle market loan issuance falls off in 1Q18 to US$32.2bn

After heating up in 4Q17 to US$44.1bn, middle market lending flopped in 1Q18. Syndicated middle market issuance of US$32.2bn fell 27% and 16% from 4Q17 and 1Q17 levels, respectively. A light flow of new money activity was felt in both the sponsored and non-sponsored market segments. In the sponsored market, only US$3.6bn in LBO deals were syndicated, down 53% quarter over quarter.