Middle market

Fitch Ratings is evaluating all 59 middle-market collateralized loan obligations it rates for potential downgrades, over concerns of the ability of small-business borrowers to support loan payments under COVID-19 stresses.

Business development companies (BDCs) were trending ever healthier prior to the pandemic, but if the economy remains in the deep doldrums it may ultimately be their affiliated asset-management companies that investors should look to for assurance.

Because of debt restrictions in Main Street lending programs, many speculative-grade borrowers appear ineligible for federal loans to alleviate COVID-19 stresses, according to a new report from Fitch Ratings.

Small and mid-sized companies are facing higher borrowing costs as private lenders grow more cautious about lending to beaten-up businesses

The Fed has tweaked its Main Street Lending Program to stir more enthusiasm, including the creation of a third financing option for larger companies. Will it make a difference?

Instead of just seeking out distressed situations, the Dislocation Opportunities Fund has a wide mandate to buy corporate and asset-backed debt.

The fund will be similar to the first iteration, which gathered $2.4 billion last year and focused on lending to family- and entrepreneur-owned businesses.

Analysts and ratings companies are sounding alarms as a number of BDCs rush to shore up finances, or throw lifelines to their heavily indebted borrowers.

Direct lenders around the world are talking with borrowers about easing interest payments, waiving penalties and relaxing covenants as they assess the growing damage to their portfolios caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Asset manager PGIM Inc. is looking to at least triple its investments in the growing direct lending market where it wants to compete with banks to fund mid-size companies outside of the buyout space.