Credit fundraising: ESG centre stage as capital pours into new strategies
Sustainability was the watchword for fundraising in February, amid a flurry of fund launches as well as first closes for impact funds and sustainable bond funds

Renewed energy boosts credit as relief rally resumes
Energy companies are performing well and credit indices have resumed their push tighter after a strong surge inwards Monday, outpacing moves in other parts of the financial market

Atalaya hits $1 billion hard cap on private credit fund with 10-13% return target
Atalaya Capital Management has hit its $1 billion hard cap on its private credit speciality finance fund, Asset Income Fund V

Credit makes strong gains in relief rally
The week has opened on a stronger tone amid a calming of government bond yields, conducive manufacturing data in Europe and a new covid-19 vaccine approval in the US

Single names hit hard as financial markets play catch-up on rate moves
Credit indices have firmed up after Thursday's rates-led sell off, but other asset classes continue to slide and Friday's focus turns to single name borrower spreads playing a  catch-up with the sharp macro move

US and European gov yield rise spooks credit market
Credit markets took a decisive shift wider on Thursday, as rising US and European government bond yields rattled investors despite the European Central Bank signalling it will take a flexible approach to bonds to prevent fiscal tightening

First Eagle targets $1 billion for direct lending
First Eagle is targeting a $1 billion fundraise for First Eagle Direct Lending Fund V

Ex-Highland official launches private credit placement agent firm for niche strategies
The former partner and chief executive officer at global placement agent FirstAvenue Americas, has launched his own placement agent named Briarcliffe Credit Partners

JP Morgan AM seeks direct lending head for 'key strategic initiative'
JP Morgan Asset Management is looking to build out direct lending capabilities within its alternatives business

Golub follows Sixth Street by suing Dyal over Owl Rock merger
Dyal Capital’s merger with Owl Rock faces growing opposition with Golub Capital filing a lawsuit

February credit gains wiped out as inflation fears rise
A successive move wider in spreads on Tuesday is taking credit back to start of February levels, as investors try to weigh inflation concerns and a US tech stock rout against reopening economies and advancing commodity prices

Rates moves points to credit improvement, say BofA strategists
Focus on the rates market and the future direction of central banks has brought jitters back to credit in recent weeks and had a chilling affect on bond total returns. But higher government yields could end up being good for credit, say Bank of America strategists

CLO equity investor bullish as it offers new share class on listed fund
The London-based manager is offering shareholders in its publicly traded junior CLO fund the chance to invest in a new listed share class - and it remains bullish on global CLO equity

Adams Street strikes $2bn JV with American Equity to bring private credit to insurers
Adams Street Partners and insurance company American Equity Investment Life have teamed up to co-develop insurer products in US middle market credit

Italian banks widen sharply as risk-on drive falters
Italian banks are among Wednesday's underperformers as single name credits play catch up with a shift wider in indices, amid signs the recent bull run is petering out

Apollo holds $2.34 billion final close on latest credit dislocation fund
Apollo Global Management has held a $2.34 billion final close on its latest flagship dislocated credit fund, Apollo Accord Fund IV

ESG growth in CLOs has momentum in 2021, say JPM strategists
ESG investing in securitised products such as CLOs have 'momentum for growth in 2021' despite very slow volume growth and lack of progress in standardised scoring over the past year, say JP Morgan strategists in a research note

Europe resumes rally in US absence with Italian spreads hitting new records
Caution about a possible Draghi bubble looks to be a rare commodity, as Italy sovereign and bank spreads are once again among the biggest improvers in a buoyant start to the week

It's all relative: CLO spreads explore record tights as credit indices hit impasse
CLO spreads are grinding to ever tighter levels, despite a flattish week for credit in which corporate credit indices have ended up more or less unchanged

Ares holds first close of junior direct lending fund as it eyes 'dozens more' $1 billion-plus funds
Ares outlined several credit fundraising initiatives in its fourth quarter earnings call - among which were a first close of its latest junior direct lending fund, upping the target for its credit special situations fund by over $1 billion, as well as new product launches including an evergreen alternative credit fund

Draghi support keeps Italy in driving seat as markets slow
A cautious tone has re-entered the credit market ahead of the long US weekend, with spreads edging wider along with softening stocks and oil prices. But some Italian credits are bucking the trend

Compression trades grind into gear as spreads narrow
Compression between high yield and investment grade credit looks to be finally gaining traction in February, having been identified by some strategists at the start of the year as a key 2021 theme

Large US manager launches CLO equity fund
A US manager headquartered in Atlanta has raised its latest CLO equity fund and collected at least $133.6 million of capital for the strategy

Bain and Pantheon form $320 million private credit JV to invest in Europe and Australia
Bain Capital Specialty Finance, a publicly traded business development managed by Bain, has formed a joint venture with Pantheon’s private credit business to invest across Europe and Australia

UK fund manager launches £125 million global sustainable credit fund
The manager says it aims to allow investors to gain exposure to global fixed income markets in a more sustainable way