The default story that may have a further twist

“While we are not out of the woods, we have seen a large number of loans return to performing credits, and we expect that trend to continue for the foreseeable future.” These were the cheering words of Stephen Boyko, co-chair of law firm Proskauer’s private credit group, responding to the findings of the firm’s latest Private Credit Default Index.

Looking at the figures from Q1 2021, Boyko appears to have good reason for optimism. The index, which tracks the default rates of senior secured and unitranche loans, saw the rate shoot up to 8.1 percent in the second quarter of last year, but the following two quarters saw it move back down towards more normal levels – 4.2 percent in Q3 and 3.6 percent in Q4. The first quarter of this year saw the rate fall further to 2.4 percent overall and a very healthy-looking 1.0 percent for companies with EBITDA of more than $50 million.

It seems clear, for now at least, that any imagined parallels with the global financial crisis can be dismissed. The pandemic has presented challenges to businesses, as the Q2 2020 default rate makes clear, but nothing on the scale of the devastation seen in 2009.

A major difference this time around, as has been well documented, is the government support schemes that have come to the rescue of many companies in need. While these schemes have been invaluable, and undoubtedly have provided a template for future crises, they are also finite. And when the life support system is switched off, what happens then?

A study out earlier this week from corporate and fiduciary services firm Ocorian found that nearly half (47 percent) of capital market investors with direct lending strategies were lacking confidence in their ability to manage loss recoveries, “which could have serious implications if default rates rise as pandemic-driven government support schemes are withdrawn”. This was particularly true of European managers and those that had been around for less than 10 years.

There has been a lot of talk in the market about how sponsors and lenders have worked together impressively to steer portfolio companies through the tough times. But as with the pandemic, the first wave is not necessarily the last or the biggest. Optimism seems appropriate, but of the cautious variety.

Write to the author at andy.t@peimedia.com