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Distressed Credit Opportunities on Rise Amid Uncertainties in Middle Markets

Liquidity issues and other business risks could prompt a wave of defaults and restructurings, in turn creating fertile ground for opportunistic investing in distressed credit.

In the months since the COVID-19 pandemic jolted the global economy, corporate bond markets have evolved into a story of “haves” and “have nots.” Credit sold off across the board following economic shutdowns and liquidity shortages. But the subsequent recovery has primarily favored borrowers with large capitalizations, pandemic-resistant businesses, and collateral to pledge in exchange for liquidity to survive. Credits of many smaller-cap and private companies have been and will continue to be left behind. As they burn through their current liquidity, we believe they will ultimately face an environment marked by limited access to liquidity amid uncertainty about economic recovery.

For PIMCO, the early phases of this abrupt cycle provided a potent (yet relatively brief) opportunity to invest in high quality publicly traded credits at dislocated valuations. Now, however, we believe that some of the most attractive risk-adjusted opportunities are shifting toward the private market, where smaller-cap borrowers remain under stress.

In our view, we’ve entered the early innings of a challenged economic recovery, where we anticipate seeing borrowers with acute liquidity needs and a stream of corporate debt restructurings that will extend over time. These could provide significant opportunities for investors who have the sophistication and resources to navigate complex situations.

An Enlarged Opportunity Set

The heightened opportunity in distressed credit reflects the staggering growth in credit market segments that are now vulnerable to restructurings. As we entered 2020, the size of leveraged finance markets (high yield bonds, bank loans, and private debt) had nearly tripled since 2008, with roughly $2.5 trillion in public market debt plus the recent proliferation of almost $1 trillion in private debt, according to BofA Securities and Credit Suisse, and UBS, respectively.

Given indiscriminately strong markets in recent years, the majority of new debt was issued with weak covenants and large EBITDA adjustments (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization), and it was absorbed by leveraged investment vehicles such as collateralized loan obligations (CLOs), private debt funds, and business development companies (BDCs).

Figure 1 shows the distress ratio by industry in COVID’s aftermath, compared with the distress ratio for each at the end of 2019. Distress ratios reflect the proportion of high yield issuers with spreads greater than 1,000 basis points. The chart shows that the initial shock was felt by consumer, energy, and services-related industries, such as airlines, clothing and cosmetics. The healthcare, auto and retail industries had the lowest distress ratios as of 31 July 2020.

Now, with credit rating agencies anticipating a sharp increase in defaults, we see significant stresses developing not only for these middle market borrowers but for the holders of their debt. By design, these leveraged investment vehicles are not equipped to take companies through restructuring, and they cannot continue to hold downgraded and defaulted debt. We believe this presents fertile ground for more opportunistic and credit-intensive investors who are willing to take on the risks and get involved in bankruptcies, restructurings, and capital solution transactions.

In addition to the immensity of today’s market, we can make a further contrast with 2008, when policy responses helped many companies overcome their immediate illiquidity challenges. In 2020, although fiscal relief efforts have bought time for some sectors, in general the U.S. government can’t do much to solve the problem of companies running out of money.

Although many can turn to financial sponsors for help, a sizable portion will have little choice but to engage financing partners. This is creating a significant and growing pipeline of investment opportunities, particularly for middle market companies that need capital in the range of $50 million to $200 million, the focus of PIMCO’s capital solutions efforts.

Restructurings Require Deep Expertise

Each of these companies has a unique story with respect to the shocks it has experienced, its capital needs, balance sheet, collateral, and prospects for a recovery in a highly uncertain economic environment. Most seek to work with a seasoned and highly reputable liquidity provider, giving PIMCO a key advantage in sourcing and executing investments in what we believe are the strongest companies with the highest probability of success (see Figure 1).

We prefer investments at the top of the capital structure where we are most secure and can assert influence on the process while negotiating strict covenant packages, with the aim of protecting our rights in all scenarios. We favor credits that can play offense by consolidating their industries or by making capital investments. The credit of conglomerates, for example, have been some of the hardest hit, as the sector’s distress ratio rose to over over 70% by mid-2020 from zero at the beginning of the year. These firms aim to set themselves up for success over uncertain multiyear timeframes – rather than simply bridging a brief liquidity shortage. They need capital partners who can collaborate through the unexpected zigs and zags of recovery, even if things don’t go exactly to plan.

Although the precise contours of recovery across industries and companies is unclear, we are putting significant effort into investing in companies where our secular outlook favors long- term fundamentals but where COVID-19 has had a profound and immediate impact on operations. Broadly, we are focused on companies that are under considerable stress but which we view as having a high probability of enduring the crisis – including select credits in travel, consumer, housing, and healthcare. We are also taking senior and junior positions in companies that we think are less affected by COVID-19 and can perform well in the current climate.

PIMCO has a significant edge when participating in – or leading – financial restructurings and capital solutions transactions in an effort to create advantageous outcomes for our investors. With 65 corporate credit analysts covering industries vertically across capital structures, we have extensive knowledge of market segments and companies, and conduct ongoing research. Over the past decade, we have achieved leadership roles in some of the largest and most prominent restructurings and generated attractive risk-adjusted returns for investors. We are well positioned to participate and seek to take advantage of the growing stream of restructurings currently taking shape in the market.

The Author

Adam Gubner

Portfolio Manager, Distressed Debt

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All investments contain risk and may lose value. Investing in the bond market is subject to risks, including market, interest rate, issuer, credit, inflation risk, and liquidity risk. The value of most bonds and bond strategies are impacted by changes in interest rates. Bonds and bond strategies with longer durations tend to be more sensitive and volatile than those with shorter durations; bond prices generally fall as interest rates rise, and low interest rate environments increase this risk. Reductions in bond counterparty capacity may contribute to decreased market liquidity and increased price volatility. Bond investments may be worth more or less than the original cost when redeemed. Investing in distressed companies (both debt and equity) is speculative and may be subject to greater levels of credit, issuer and liquidity risks, and the repayment of default obligations contains significant uncertainties; such companies may be engaged in restructurings or bankruptcy proceedings. Private credit involves an investment in non-publically traded securities which may be subject to illiquidity risk. Portfolios that invest in private credit may be leveraged and may engage in speculative investment practices that increase the risk of investment loss. Management risk is the risk that the investment techniques and risk analyses applied by PIMCO will not produce the desired results, and that certain policies or developments may affect the investment techniques available to PIMCO in connection with managing the strategy.

There is no guarantee that these investment strategies will work under all market conditions or are appropriate for all investors and each investor should evaluate their ability to invest long-term, especially during periods of downturn in the market.

This material contains statements of opinion and belief. Any views expressed herein are those of PIMCO as of the date indicated, are based on information available to PIMCO as of such date, and are subject to change, without notice, based on market and other conditions. No representation is made or assurance given that such views are correct. PIMCO has no duty or obligation to update the information contained herein.

This material contains the current opinions of the manager and such opinions are subject to change without notice. This material is distributed for informational purposes only and should not be considered as investment advice or a recommendation of any particular security, strategy or investment product. Information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but not guaranteed.

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