The Upgrade: Episode 28: Material Shifts In Key Credit Stats Drove Downgrades To 'B-' And 'CCC'
Release Date: 06/16/2023
Trends in European Leveraged Finance and Private Credit
CLOs Uncovered
In this year-end episode, Hina and Sandeep wrap up developments across the European Leveraged Finance and CLO markets, joined by Marta Stojanova, Head of European Leveraged Finance. Together, they unpack the major themes shaping the market, including: Nearly $250 billion in issuance in 2025 Key trends in credit estimates Shifts in the average EBITDA size of issuers What these developments mean for mid-market CLOs going into 2026 Our aim is to provide market participants with further advanced analytical insight into corporate credits, CLOs and Leveraged Finance deals, with S&P Global...
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How France’s Downgrade Impacts European CLOs
CLOs Uncovered
In this edition, Hina and Sandeep are joined by Frank Gill, our EMEA Sovereign Sector Lead, to explore how the sovereign downgrade of France has impacted the European CLO market. Our goal is to offer market participants advanced insights into Corporate Credits, CLOs, and Leveraged Finance deals through our regular podcast, focusing on key features observed in corporate credits and the sectors that CLOs are exposed to. Related article:
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Assessing Bespoke Transactions
CLOs Uncovered
In this special edition, hosts Hina and Sandeep engage in a thought-provoking discussion with Yann Marty and William Sweat about a novel transaction that highlights the increasingly blurred lines between fund finance and traditional securitization. This episode delves into complex and innovative transactions concerning sublines, for which we may not have established published criteria. Our Cross Practice Analytical Team takes a holistic approach to these bespoke transactions, identifying associated risks and developing an analytical framework for assessment. Our goal is to offer market...
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Colisee’s Credit Profile & Performance Trends
CLOs Uncovered
In this episode, Hina and Sandeep are joined by Remi Bringuier to take a closer look at Colisee’s credit profile. We break down the most recent performance data, walk through our rationale for CCC rating category, and spotlight the key credit factors and trends we’re monitoring closely. Our aim is to provide market participants with further advanced analytical insight into corporate credits, CLOs and Leveraged Finance deals, with S&P Global Ratings' regular podcast, based on key features we’re seeing in corporate credits and sectors that CLOs are exposed to. Related article:
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Examining Babilou’s Credit Profile
CLOs Uncovered
Hina and Sandeep are joined by Alphee Roumens to provide a granular view of Babilou’s credit Profile; the latest performance trends, discuss our rationale behind the CCC rating category, and highlight key areas we're monitoring closely. Our goal is to equip market participants with deeper, forward-looking insight into multi-asset class -Corporate Credits, CLOs, Leveraged Finance Deals through our regular podcast series. Each episode explores key credit features, sector-specific risks, and evolving trends we’re seeing across the deals we cover. Related Article:
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The Future of Securitization in Saudi Arabia
CLOs Uncovered
In this episode Sandeep and Hina explore the future of securitization in Saudi Arabia, sharing key takeaways from a recent S&P Global Ratings roundtable in Riyadh with Mohamed Damak and Matthew Mitchell. Our aim is to provide market participants with further advanced analytical insight into corporate credits, CLOs and Leveraged Finance deals, with S&P Global Ratings' regular podcast, based on key features we’re seeing in corporate credits and sectors that CLOs are exposed to.
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Merlin’s Credit Story
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Hina and Sandeep are joined by Raquel Delgado Galicia to discuss Merlin’s recent performance, our expectations for 2025, and the areas we are closely monitoring. Our aim is to provide market participants with further advanced analytical insight into corporate credits, CLOs and Leveraged Finance deals, with S&P Global Ratings' regular podcast, based on key features we’re seeing in corporate credits and sectors that CLOs are exposed to. Related Research:
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Why does Athena’s recovery rating matter?
CLOs Uncovered
Hina and Sandeep are joined by Solene Van Eetvelde to discuss Athena’s rating drivers, our current expectations for the company's performance, and the areas we are closely monitoring, including U.S. tariffs. Our aim is to provide market participants with further advanced analytical insight into corporate credits, CLOs and Leveraged Finance deals, with S&P Global Ratings' regular podcast, based on key features we’re seeing in corporate credits and sectors that CLOs are exposed to. to view the related article.
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Infragroup
CLOs Uncovered
Leveraged Finance & CLOs Uncovered Podcast: The story behind Infragroup’s positive outlook. Hina and Sandeep are joined by Christopher Ewert to discuss Infragroup’s strong operating performance, our current outlook for the company, and the areas we are closely monitoring. Our aim is to provide market participants with further advanced analytical insight into corporate credits, CLOs and Leveraged Finance deals, with S&P Global Ratings regular podcast, based on key features we’re seeing in corporate credits and sectors that CLOs are exposed to. to view the related...
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Story Behind Cerba-Chrome Holdco SAS
CLOs Uncovered
Hina and Sandeep discuss Cerba with Remi Bringuier, discussing our current expectations for the company's performance and the areas we are closely monitoring. Our aim is to provide market participants with further advanced analytical insight into Corporate Credits, CLOs and Leveraged Finance deals, with S&P Global Ratings regular podcast, based on key features we’re seeing in corporate credits and sectors that CLOs are exposed to.
info_outlineIn this discussion, Minesh Patel, the US sector lead of Leveraged Finance at S&P Global Ratings, teams up with the Director of Leveraged Finance, Hanna Zhang, to explore the key insights presented in Hanna's latest commentary, titled "U.S. Leveraged Finance Q1 2023 Update: Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes -- Material Shifts In Key Credit Stats Drove Downgrades To 'B-' And 'CCC', And Upgrades To 'B-'."
Key takeaways from the article include:
- Within 12 months leading to a rating action, higher debt service costs and slower profit growth were often the leading factors in downgrades to 'B-' and the 'CCC' category (CCC+/CCC/CCC-).
- Median leverage for companies downgraded to the 'CCC' category rose to 15.5x as EBITDA all but dried up. It was 8x for entities rated 'B-'.
- We estimate that roughly 37% of 'B' rated issuers employ interest rate hedges. Interest rate sensitivity for 'B-' rated companies is much higher, with roughly 19% employing hedges and 90% floating-rate debt exposure.
- Speculative-grade borrowers may be returning to cash preservation, but 2022 was loaded with shareholder rewards and heavy working capital investment for companies rated 'B+' and higher.
- Issues with recovery expectations within the 50%-70% range account for two-thirds of total new issuance in the first quarter of 2023, although average recovery expectations remain near the low end of the post-2017 average.
The commentary to the related article:
The hyperlink to the interactive dashboard.