Senior Loan Talking Points

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Weekly Notables

Though the macro tape was relatively light this week, Treasury yields fluctuated following stronger-than-expected retail sales data, mixed commentary from Fed officials and growing political uncertainty around President Biden’s reelection campaign. Equities lost their recent momentum in a volatile trading week, while the loan market remained mostly insulated from the noise, as the Morningstar LSTA US Leveraged Loan Index (Index) delivered a steady gain of 0.19% for the seven-day period ended July 18. Secondary trading levels moved modestly lower, as the average bid price of the Index declined by two bps, closing out the week at 96.66. 

Refinancing deals continued to dominate the bulk of primary market activity. While most of the volume replaced existing loans, a few deals refinanced paper out of the private credit market, which has been a prevalent theme this year. Net of anticipated repayments, the amount of net new supply expected to enter the market totals about $1.9 billion, versus repayments outstripping new supply by $44 million last week. 

Higher-quality credits performed better over the course of the week, while the riskiest segment of the market experienced some weakness. BBs were up 0.20%, as their average bid of 99.45 gained four bps. Single-Bs returned 0.22%, as their average bid increased three bps, to 98.20. CCCs lost –0.19%, as the average bid across that group fell 35 bps, to 82.53. 

CLO managers priced four new transactions this week. YTD issuance is tracking an impressive $106.7 billion. Retail loan funds experienced a net inflow of $634 million, marking a third straight weekly inflow for the asset class. 

There was one default in the Index this week (Rodan & Fields).

Average Bid
July 1, 2020 to July 18, 2024
Average Bid
Average 3-YR Call Secondary Spreads 1,2
July 1, 2020 to July 12, 2024
Average 3-YR Call Secondary Spreads 1,2
Lagging 12 Month Default Rate 3
July 1, 2020 to July 18, 2024
Lagging 12 Month Default Rate 3
Index Stats
Index Stats

Source: Pitchbook Data, Inc./LCD, Morningstar ® LSTA ® Leveraged Loan Index. Additional footnotes and disclosures on back page. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Investors cannot invest directly in the Index. *The Index’s average nominal spread calculation includes the benefit of base rate floors (where applicable).

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Unless otherwise noted, the source for all data in this report is Pitchbook Data, Inc/LCD.  Pitchbook Data/LCD does not make any representations or warranties as to the completeness, accuracy or sufficiency of the data in this report.

1. Assumes 3 Year Maturity. Three-year maturity assumption: (i) all loans pay off at par in 3 years, (ii) discount from par is amortized evenly over the 3 years as additional spread, and (iii) no other principal payments during the 3 years. Discounted spread is calculated based upon the current bid price, not on par. Please note that Index yield data is only available on a lagging basis, thus the data demonstrated is as of June 23, 2023.

2. Excludes facilities that are currently in default.

3. Issuer default rate is calculated as the number of defaults over the last twelve months divided by the number of issuers in the Index at the beginning of the twelve-month period. Principal default rate is calculated as the amount defaulted over the last twelve months divided by the amount outstanding at the beginning of the twelve-month period.

General Risks for Floating Rate Senior Loans: Floating rate senior loans involve certain risks.  Below investment grade assets carry a higher than normal risk that borrowers may default in the timely payment of principal and interest on their loans, which would likely cause the value of the investment to decrease.  Changes in short-term market interest rates will directly affect the yield on investments in floating rate senior loans.  If such rates fall,  the investment’s yield will also fall.  If interest rate spreads on loans decline in general, the yield on such loans will fall and the value of such loans may decrease.  When short-term market interest rates rise, because of the lag between changes in such short-term rates and the resetting of the floating rates on senior loans, the impact of rising rates will be delayed to the extent of such lag.  Because of the limited secondary market for floating rate senior loans, the ability to sell these loans in a timely fashion and/or at a favorable price may be limited.  An increase or decrease in the demand for loans may adversely affect the loans.

This commentary has been prepared by Voya Investment Management for informational purposes. Nothing contained herein should be construed as (i) an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy any security or (ii) a recommendation as to the advisability of investing in, purchasing or selling any security. Any opinions expressed herein reflect our judgment and are subject to change. Certain of the statements contained herein are statements of future expectations and other forward-looking statements that are based on management’s current views and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Actual results, performance or events may differ materially from those in such statements due to, without limitation, (1) general economic conditions, (2) performance of financial markets, (3) changes in laws and regulations and (4) changes in the policies of governments and/or regulatory authorities. The opinions, views and information expressed in this commentary regarding holdings are subject to change without notice. The information provided regarding holdings is not a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Fund holdings are fluid and are subject to daily change based on market conditions and other factors.  

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