Investor demand for CLOs regained its footing in the second quarter of 2019, causing pricing spreads to tighten and new issuance to match prior volume records. Investors shrugged off negative press relating to the growth and evolution of the CLO and leveraged loan markets, and investment-grade CLO spreads tightened 10–20 basis points throughout the second quarter. Refinance and reset activity increased marginally as pricing spreads improved, but they still only amount to 30 percent of 2018 volumes. New issuance volumes remained strong in the second quarter, however, and are on pace to match 2018’s record. We remain constructive on short maturity, senior tranches of middle-market CLOs, where we have been able to uncover compelling risk-adjusted value.
Issuance in esoteric ABS varied greatly by subsector in the first half of 2018, but unsecured consumer loans, aircraft, and whole business ABS accounted for two thirds of all esoteric ABS issuance. We previously highlighted the strength in the whole business ABS market, and here we will focus on the growth in the aircraft ABS market. Aircraft ABS issuance year to date in 2019 has already almost reached the total issuance volume of 2018, one of the strongest years of issuance on record for aircraft ABS. Ongoing strength in air traffic growth, continued good credit performance, and syndicated equity transaction structures have increased investor sponsorship of aircraft ABS. While we remain skeptical about the marketed economics of syndicated equity investments, investor enthusiasm for the space is undeniable and has contributed to the growth in the aircraft ABS market.
Esoteric ABS Centers on Consumer Loans, Aircraft, and Whole Business ABS
Issuance in $millions, YTD 2019
Unsecured consumer loans, aircraft, and whole business ABS accounted for two thirds of all esoteric ABS issuance in the first half of 2019.
Source: Guggenheim Investments, Bloomberg, Citi. Data as of 7.16.2019.
We expect our investment focus to remain on bespoke opportunities, middle-market CLOs, commercial ABS, and aircraft ABS.
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