CLOs Uncovered

U.S. and Canadian companies have been raising prices over the past year or so in an effort to restore margins. A few fully done so, but many others' margins have eroded. In this episode of The Upgrade podcast Hanna Zhang, and Minesh Patel discuss key highlights from our recently published articles,  "U.S. Leveraged Finance Q4 2022 Update: Inflation Pressures Hit Margins, Rate Rises To Hit Cash Flow". The report also tracks key credit trends such as profit growth, debt leverage, interest coverage, and free cash flow within our speculative-grade corporate rating universe.

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 Ratings' regular podcast, based on key features we're seeing in corporate credits and sectors that CLOs are exposed to.

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: France Ratings Lowered To 'A+/A-1' From 'AA-/A-1+' On Heightened Risks To Budgetary Consolidation; Outlook Stable

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 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: Presale: Capital Street Master Trust (Series 2025-1)

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: Colisee Group S.A.S. Downgraded To 'SD', Term Loan B To 'D' On Deferred Cash Interest Payment

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: Babilou Family SAS Downgraded To 'CCC+' On Operating Performance Deterioration And Strained Liquidity; Outlook Stable

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.

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: Merlin Entertainments' Proposed $500 Million Senior Secured Notes Assigned 'B+' Issue Rating And '2' Recovery Rating Merlin Entertainments' Proposed $410 Million Senior Secured Notes Rated 'B' With '2' Recovery Rating

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. Click here to view the related article.

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.   Click here to view the related article.

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.

After the summer break, Hina and Sandeep are joined by John Finn to discuss our recent Structured Finance conference, new features in CLO documentation, recent CLO performance, and future challenges faced by the market. 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.

Series 6, Episode 5: Before we all break for summer, Hina & Sandeep discuss Ardagh Group with Desiree Menjivar over an in-depth analysis of Ardagh's recent rating action and insights into the key factors shaping the company's performance, and the areas we are closely monitoring.

Leveraged Finance & CLOs Uncovered Podcast: How ASDA's Parent, Bellis Finco PLC, compares with other food retailers in a highly competitive UK landscape. Hina & Sandeep have a discussion with Raquel on credit fundamentals of Asda and its recent refinancing and S&P's expectation for a future trajectory. 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.

In our latest episode, Hina & Sandeep have a discussion with Alphee Roumens on how Merlin continued to access capital markets to finance further growth and focus on its evolution post covid era and the areas we closely monitor.

Hina & Sandeep discuss Altice France with Justine Miquee over an in-depth analysis of Altice France's recent rating action and insights into the key factors shaping the company's performance, and the areas we are closely monitoring.

Series 6, Episode 1: Hina & Sandeep have a discussion with Raquel on credit fundamentals of Nord Anglia and despite raising $600 million term loan add-on, it is able to preserve its ratings, though reducing our recovery estimate for its senior secured debt.

Series 5, Episode 5: Hina & Sandeep wrap up the year with Tia Zhang and discuss a workaround seen in loan documentation allowing borrowers to extend maturities more easily.

In this latest episode of our Leveraged Finance & CLOs Uncovered Podcast is out. This time, we discuss how rising interest rates and decreasing consumer confidence led to a downgrade of building material maker LSF10 XL Investments S.a.r.l. (Xella).