Ever since the global financial crisis of 2007-8, investors have been on the lookout for what might trigger the next recession. With corporate debt in the US reaching an all-time high of 46 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP)1, it is the credit market that has become the chief cause for concern.
Source: Pictet Asset Management
In recent quarters, most of that borrowing has taken the form of leveraged loans. As issuance of leveraged loans has risen rapidly, covenants that protect investors have weakened, credit quality has deteriorated and the market’s ability to withstand stress in its current form remains largely untested. The concern now is that if a bubble bursts here, it could affect mainstream fixed income asset classes like high yield bonds. But there is a silver lining for bondholders: leveraged loans increasingly look like a standalone asset class, possessing characteristics that are sufficiently different from those of the high yield market to limit any contagion.
For a start, the overlap between the two markets – the proportion of companies that have both leveraged loans and high yield bonds outstanding – has fallen, reducing the risk of any spillover. The percentage of loan-only issuers in the US has increased to 79 per cent in 2018 from 70 per cent in 20172. This is negative for the leveraged loan investors as, without a high yield cushion, this form of borrowing becomes first in line for any losses in the event of bankruptcy.
Source: Bloomberg; data as of 31.12.2018
Secondly, there has been a weakening of covenants – rules on matters like leverage, collateral and payment schedules – in the credit market This is much more relevant for leveraged loans than for high yield debt. This is because leveraged loans sit further up the capital structure, where the protection offered by covenants tends to be more valuable and the impact of dilution from increased corporate borrowing is more keenly felt. According to Moody's ratings agency, leveraged loans' covenant quality has dropped to its weakest level ever.
Net issuance levels also offer some comfort to holders of high yield bonds. While the outstanding value of leveraged loans in the US surged by 54 per cent between 2013 and 2018, the amount of high yield credit contracted by 13 per cent3. With a smaller pool of assets available, it should be easier for bondholders to retain value and avoid bubbles.
Furthermore, in contrast to what’s happening in leveraged loans and investment grade debt, the average credit quality of high yield bond issuers has not deteriorated. In the US, the average rating for a non-investment grade bond has stayed at B1/B+ level for many years, while in Europe it has actually gone up one notch to BB3/BB-4. This could partly reflect the fact that leveraged loans have been more frequently used to fund mergers and acquisitions and leveraged buyouts (LBOs) – activities which could potentially lower the creditworthiness of borrowers.Source: BoAML, S&P Capital IQ, Pictet Asset Management. Data covering period 31.12.2005-31.12.2018
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