CLO Research

Have you ever wondered how CLO tranche ratings—AAA, AA, A, BBB, and BB—are derived from a portfolio of non-investment grade loans?

Asset spreads play a significant role in influencing AAA issuance spreads, though the relationship is not always perfectly linear due to factors such as the demand and supply of AAA notes. This article notes that current top-tier AAA levels, at approximately 124–126 bps, are elevated compared to historical norms.

This analysis examines a sample of 979 deals currently within their reinvestment periods.

Since the reset window reopened in mid-2023, managers have actively utilised the reset market to extend the duration of their existing deals. Impressively, seven managers successfully reset at least 10 of their seasoned deals spanning the 2013–2021 vintages. Among them, Oak Hill and CIFC stand out, having reset 15–16 of their seasoned deals during this period.

The equity tranche IRRs for 2.0 US CLO deals by vintage are summarised in the table below, based on a sample of 619 fully redeemed deals from the 2012–2020 vintages. An issue price of $95 has been assumed, with residual values and incentive fees factored into the IRR calculations. The final equity NAV includes both the last equity distribution and accrued interest.

December 2024: Summary of CLO Research Insights

Market Value Over-Collateralization (MVOC), for instance, at the BB tranche level, is calculated by dividing the collateral market value (MV) by the sum of CLO liabilities (AAA to BB). MVOC is a key point-in-time metric for valuing CLO-rated tranches, widely tracked by participants in both primary and secondary markets.

Market Value Over-Collateralization (MVOC), for instance, at the BB tranche level, is calculated by dividing the collateral market value (MV) by the sum of CLO liabilities (AAA to BB). MVOC is a crucial point-in-time metric for pricing CLO-rated tranches, closely monitored by primary and secondary market participants.

Investing in CLO equity demands a thorough understanding of the asset class and a carefully considered strategic approach. As a first-loss investment, it carries inherent risks, but it also offers the potential for substantive returns. The performance of CLO equity investments is influenced by several key factors.