FICC Focus

“I’ve been shocked by the attention the issue as far as my mediating cases that are before me has gotten because in my view it’s just a label,” US Bankruptcy Judge Michael Kaplan said, addressing the scrutiny surrounding his role as a mediator in cases pending before him. Bankruptcy judges “have always brought parties into chambers in an effort to settle matters when it’s consensual.” In a conversation with Bloomberg Intelligence’s Negisa Balluku at the Beard Group’s Distressed Investing Media Night on May 19, Judge Kaplan framed bankruptcy judges as trial-level problem solvers, discussed his Multi-Color venue opinion, and raised concerns about the speed and cost of Chapter 11, as well as the weakening effect that liability management exercises can have on future debtors.

“You have a refinancing problem; that’s the dynamic that we’re in today. With the covenant-lite nature of the loan market, most of these better-quality businesses can orchestrate an extension one time,” said Jason Mudrick, founder and chief investment officer of Mudrick Capital Management. “The problem is when you get to that new post-LME maturity wall, it’s going to be much more challenging if we did our jobs right to do another LME.” Bloomberg Intelligence’s Phil Brendel and Negisa Balluku sat down with Mudrick at the Beard Group Distressed Investing Media Night on May 19 to discuss the evolving landscape for liability management exercises (LMEs). Mudrick shared his perspective on navigating complex restructurings, the strategic role of litigation and how changing legal loopholes and market dynamics are shifting tactics for distressed investors. He also reflects on high-profile past cases like AMC Entertainment and Party City, detailing how “irrationally high” market caps and management relationships affect investment outcomes.

Rising Treasury yields, war-driven inflation concerns and uncertainty over the Federal Reserve are reshaping the fixed-income outlook. George Catrambone, head of fixed income for the Americas at DWS Group, joins Ira Jersey, Bloomberg Intelligence chief US interest-rate strategist, on this Macro Matters edition of the FICC Focus podcast. Catrambone discusses why the move higher in long-end Treasury yields has been driven more by oil, inflation expectations and fiscal concerns than by growth, and why he sees the most compelling opportunity in owning the front end of the curve. The two examine Kevin Warsh’s arrival as Fed chair, how the balance of hawks and doves on the FOMC could shape the path for rate cuts and whether changes to the Fed’s communication framework -- including the future of the dot plot -- are likely. They also discuss how higher deficits, rising debt-service costs and growing bill supply could pressure Treasury issuance and long-dated yields.

“The key to longevity in lending is really avoiding principal loss, minimizing principal loss,” says Richard Miller, chief investment officer of TCW’s Private Credit Group. Reduced distress has led to less demand for restructuring and recovery-optimization skill sets in recent years, but “it really feels like in the next four or five [years]... those characteristics are going to be important for performance in this space,” according to Miller. He joins Bloomberg Intelligence’s Noel Hebert on this episode of the Credit Crunch podcast to discuss TCW’s suite across direct lending and rescue capital, as well as its strategic partnership with PNC. They also explore appropriate leverage profiles, whether software is uninvestable, having flexibility beyond sponsor-led deals and why newer-vintage direct-lending offerings might be better positioned.

Heightened geopolitical risk is driving asset price fluctuations, as inflation and interest rate uncertainty demands increased focus on risk management and liquidity. Andrew Jackson, head of investments at Vontobel, joins Damian Sassower, Bloomberg Intelligence’s chief EM fixed income strategist, to assess portfolio exposure and investor sentiment across emerging market debt, as the asset class is well positioned to rebound when tensions de-escalate. Jackson and Sassower touch on inflation expectations, credit fundamentals and the policy outlook across EM following the surge in global energy prices.

Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.