Our Industry

SUB-INVESTMENT GRADE DEBT CAPITAL MARKETS

Leveraged Loans

Leveraged Loans are corporate bank loans of sub investment grade issuers are issued by public and private corporates including private equity portfolio companies. These loans are generally senior secured obligations and bear floating rate interest, typically with maintenance covenants and comprehensive documentation.

European Mezzanine Loans

European Mezzanine Loans are a hybrid floating-rate loan product filling the funding gap between senior secured debt and equity. Typically a second secured instrument sharing collateral security with senior secured lenders, albeit in a junior position. Mezzanine is a tailored product where return comprises a combination of cash-pay coupon, rolled-up interest (payment-in-kind, 'PIK') and soft call protection. There may also be an equity interest or instrument in the underlying company.

High-yield Bonds

High-yield Bonds are sub-investment grade bonds and can be either secured (ranking alongside secured senior debt) or in unsecured form where they rank behind the senior secured debt. They can be issued on both a floating rate or on a fixed coupon basis and carry incurrence covenants and generally less restrictive documentation. Secondary pricing and market sentiment is more correlated to the bond and equity capital markets than leveraged loans and mezzanine, and requires strong analysis on both company and sector fundamentals, as well as recovery analysis and in-depth knowledge of insolvency regimes.