Dave Flaherty – Peritus Asset Management, LLC

High Yield Morning Update

Dave Flaherty — Tue, 25 Apr 2017 13:23:48 +0000

Global risk markets traded with a positive tone Monday on expectations that Centrist Macron will defeat Eurosceptic Le Pen in French’s final presidential election, securing a victory for the global status quo. High yield traded at a six week high, pushing the yield to worst and spread on the Bank of America High-Yield Index tighter by 9bps each to close at 5.68% and +386bps, respectively. While no new deals priced Monday, four new deals for $1.55 billion were added to the calendar. In commodity markets, both WTI and crude closed lower on expectations of growing US supply. WTI closed at $49.23, down 0.8%. This morning markets are opening with a strong tone again, with US equity futures and WTI trading higher, while high yield is generically stronger by ¼ of a point. The focus will shift away from macro to micro this week and moving forward as Q1 earnings season kicks into full gear.

The Bank of America Merrill Lynch US High Yield Index monitors the performance of below investment grade U.S. dollar-denominated corporate bonds publicly issued in the U.S. domestic market. Index data sourced from Bloomberg. Yield referenced is the yield-to-worst and spread referenced is the spread-to-worst.

This Week in High Yield

Dave Flaherty — Mon, 03 Apr 2017 14:34:49 +0000

High yield rebounded over the past week, making up for half of March’s losses, as oil rallied four of the week’s five sessions, rate concerns eased and inflows returned to the asset class. The yield-to-worst/spread on the Bank of America High-Yield Index (BAML) tightened 13bps/15bps over the week to close at 5.88%/+392bps. WTI closed at $50.60, up 5.5% for the week. The US 10yr Treasury note closed at 2.39% versus 2.41% last week and a YTD high/low of 2.63%/2.38%.

	31-Mar	Weekly Return/Change	MTD Return/Change	YTD Return/Change
BAML HY	5.88%	0.94%	-0.21%	2.71%
BAML Spread	392 bps	-15 bps	18 bps	-29 bps
Dow	20,663.22	0.32%	-0.60%	5.19%
S&P 500	2,362.72	0.82%	0.12%	6.07%
10yr treasury	2.39%	-11 bps	0	-6 bps

Investors returned to the high-yield market last week as Lipper reported a small inflow into high-yield mutual and exchange traded funds totaling $248 million for the week ended March 29, the second consecutive weekly inflow, reversing course after an outflow totaling $5.68 billion for the week ended March 15, the second largest on record. The high-yield primary market remained active with 14 new deals pricing for $7.33 billion in proceeds for the week. All of the week’s deals were for refinancing or repaying existing debt; none were for acquisitions, to pay a cash dividend or fund an LBO. The final tally for the month was 71 deals for $42.165 billion in proceeds, making the Q1 total 144 deals for $81.225 billion in proceeds.

The Bank of America Merrill Lynch High Yield Index monitors the performance of below investment grade U.S. dollar-denominated corporate bonds publicly issued in the U.S. domestic market. Index data sourced from Bloomberg. BAML HY represents the index yield for the designated date, while return/change represent the index return for the period ending date. Yield referenced is the yield-to-worst and spread referenced is the spread-to-worst. Fund flow data according to weekly reporters to Lipper for the week running Thursday to the following Wednesday.

High Yield Morning Update

Dave Flaherty — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 15:47:52 +0000

High yield continued to tightened yesterday as oil traded back up above $50 a barrel and equities held steady. The yield to worst on the Bank of America High Yield Index tightened 8bps to 5.80%. The primary market was busy with eight deals pricing for $3.88b in proceeds, led by Six Flags (SIX) and Charter (CHTR). Lipper reported a modest outflow of $248m from mutual and exchange traded funds for the week ended 3/29, after estimating withdrawals of $675m earlier in the week. Overnight and into this morning, global stocks look poised to end a blockbuster quarter with a muted tone. Focus is now shifting towards Q2 and whether political developments in the US and Europe will cloud the brightening global economic outlook. High yield is opening flat to slightly higher and quiet.

The Bank of America Merrill Lynch US High Yield Index monitors the performance of below investment grade U.S. dollar-denominated corporate bonds publicly issued in the U.S. domestic market. Index data sourced from Bloomberg. Yield referenced is the yield-to-worst and spread referenced is the spread-to-worst.

High Yield Morning Update

Dave Flaherty — Thu, 30 Mar 2017 14:21:42 +0000

Yields dropped and spreads tightened yesterday as oil rebounded and stocks traded flat on what was an overall quiet day for the markets. The yield-to-worst/spread on the Bank of America High-Yield Index tightened 10bps/7bps on the day to close at 5.88%/+394 bps vs YTD lows of 5.57% and +355bps at the start of this month. The primary market remains on the slow side with just two deals pricing WTD for $2 billion in proceeds. Despite the slow week, MTD issuance volume of $36.835 billion makes it the busiest month since April 2014. WTI closed the day at $49.51, up 2.36%. The US 10yr Treasury note closed at a yield of 2.38% vs 2.42% the prior day. This morning high yield continues to trade with a positive tone amid better oil and flat stocks and treasury markets. Several drive-by deals have been announced this morning with pricing expected this afternoon and tomorrow.

The Bank of America Merrill Lynch US High Yield Index monitors the performance of below investment grade U.S. dollar-denominated corporate bonds publicly issued in the U.S. domestic market. Index data sourced from Bloomberg. Yield referenced is the yield-to-worst and spread referenced is the spread-to-worst.

High Yield Morning Update

Dave Flaherty — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 16:09:59 +0000

High-yield continued to come under pressure yesterday to start the new week amid weak stocks, plunging oil and more redemptions from retail mutual and exchange traded funds. The yield-to-worst/spread on the Bank of America High-Yield Index each widened 5bps Monday to close at 6.06%/+412bps now wider by 49bps/57bps since hitting year to date lows in early March. The primary market was quiet and tentative Monday after pricing seven deals for $4.185 billion last week. Oil prices remained weak, dropping 0.5% on the day, down 2% over the last six sessions and down 13% from on 18-month high of $54.45 over the past four weeks. US Treasuries continued to move higher as haven assets gained ground, with the yield on the 10yr and 5yr note are down 9bps and 10bps, respectively, in the past six sessions. Outflows continue to hamper the high yield bond asset class, with Lipper estimating a $500 million move to the sideline WTD (reporting week runs Thursday to Wednesday). This morning US markets are little changed as investors weigh whether this selloff stemming from uncertainty around US policy has further to go. Oil is trading up nearly 1% in early trading, easing some of the recent pressure on the high-yield energy sector while the rest of the market trades relatively flat. No new issues are slated to price today.

The Bank of America Merrill Lynch US High Yield Index monitors the performance of below investment grade U.S. dollar-denominated corporate bonds publicly issued in the U.S. domestic market. Index data sourced from Bloomberg. Yield referenced is the yield-to-worst and spread referenced is the spread-to-worst.

High Yield Morning Update

Dave Flaherty — Wed, 22 Mar 2017 13:24:28 +0000

US markets closed in red territory across the board yesterday as enthusiasm waned for the reflation trade that has been in place since the November election results, driving markets to record highs. The yield-to-worst/spread on the Bank of America High-Yield Index backed up for a second consecutive session this week to close at 6.02%/+404bps, off 4bps/7bps on the day. The yield on the index has risen 9 of the past 12 sessions. Issuance was steady yesterday with three deals pricing for $1.085 billion in proceeds after the onslaught of deals over the past several weeks ahead of the Fed’s rate hike. Oil prices plunged to a three-month low of $47.34, down 10 of the past 12 sessions as US stockpiles held steady. The yield on the US 10yr Treasury note closed at 2.42% vs 2.46% Monday, YTD high of 2.63% and low of 2.31%. Overnight, global equities moved lower as investors continue to question US lawmakers’ ability to enact pro-growth policies. S&P 500 futures look set to trade lower again, after a decline yesterday where the index fell more than 1% for the first time this year. Safe-haven government bonds continue to rally, while gold extends recent gains. High-yield bonds are opening with a quiet tone and lower along with other US risk assets, with energy related credits taking the brunt of the pain.

The Bank of America Merrill Lynch US High Yield Index monitors the performance of below investment grade U.S. dollar-denominated corporate bonds publicly issued in the U.S. domestic market. Index data sourced from Bloomberg. Yield referenced is the yield-to-worst and spread referenced is the spread-to-worst.

This Week in High Yield

Dave Flaherty — Mon, 20 Mar 2017 13:29:41 +0000

Over the last week, high-yield bond prices stumbled amid huge outflows from retail mutual and exchange traded funds, lackluster stocks and declining oil. Yields reached a YTD high, only to recover into the weekend as US treasuries rallied, oil bottomed, stocks turned and a record stretch of new issue supply subsided after Fed Chair Yellen’s statement helped calm the jittery market. The yield to worst on the Bank of America High-Yield Index (BAML) tightened 6bps over the past week to close at 5.95% while the spread tightened 2bps to close at +391bps on the move in treasuries. WTI closed at $48.78, down 0.6% on the week. The US 10yr note closed at 2.5% vs 2.57% last Friday and compared to a YTD low of 2.31% and high of 2.63%.

	17-Mar Yield/Level	Weekly Return/Change	MTD Return/Change	YTD Return/Change
BAML HY	5.95%	0.22%	-0.93%	1.97%
BAML Spread	391 bps	2 bps	17 bps	-30 bps
Dow	20,914.62	0.08%	0.61%	6.47%
S&P 500	2,378.25	0.28%	0.73%	6.72%
10yr treasury	2.50%	-7 bps	11 bps	6 bps

Investors withdrew money from high-yield mutual and exchange traded funds at a record pace totaling $5.683 billion for the reporting week ended March 15, the biggest outflow since the week ended August 6, 2014 when the total was $7 billion. This was the third consecutive weekly outflow after last week’s $2.1 billion negative reading, pushing the total exodus to $8 billion over the two week span. The 2017 total outflow now stands at $6.4 billion. High-yield new issuance kept up the strong pace this past week with 15 deals pricing for $7.55 billion in proceeds, making it the fourth busiest week YTD. Issuers remained in a hurry to price deals amid unsteady oil and investor exodus as high-yield enthusiasm waned. March issuance volume to date is $30.65 billion, up 48% from last year while YTD volume of $69.71 billion is up 88% over last year’s pace.

The Bank of America Merrill Lynch High Yield Index monitors the performance of below investment grade U.S. dollar-denominated corporate bonds publicly issued in the U.S. domestic market. Index data sourced from Bloomberg. BAML HY represents the index yield for the designated date, while return/change represent the index return for the period ending date. Yield referenced is the yield-to-worst and spread referenced is the spread-to-worst. Fund flow data according to weekly reporters to Lipper for the week running Thursday to the following Wednesday.

High Yield Morning Update

Dave Flaherty — Fri, 17 Mar 2017 17:25:40 +0000

High-yield bond prices rebounded sharply over the past two days, erasing more than a weeks’ worth of loses, after the Fed’s statement calmed the jittery market, reiterating a gradual hike approach and lack of intention to raise over the next few meetings. The yield-to-worst/spread on the Bank of America High-Yield Index tightened 13bps/14bps yesterday to close at 5.94%/+388bps, down 24bps/17bps in the past two sessions. Issuance resumed in a big way yesterday as six issuers and seven tranches priced for $4 billion in proceeds. Oil rallied at the open but faded into the close to finish down 0.24% at $47.72. Lipper reported the second biggest outflow ever of $5.68b from mutual and exchange traded funds for the week ending 3/15 (reporting week Thursday to Wednesday), making the total outflow over the past two weeks $8 billion. Overnight EM headed for its best week in eight months, even as the global equities rally looked to take a breather. Oil prices are poised for their first weekly gain in March, while the USD is on its way towards its biggest weekly loss since February. High-yield is generally opening the day flat and quiet after what has been a volatile week as investors look forward to the weekend.

The Bank of America Merrill Lynch US High Yield Index monitors the performance of below investment grade U.S. dollar-denominated corporate bonds publicly issued in the U.S. domestic market. Index data sourced from Bloomberg. Yield referenced is the yield-to-worst and spread referenced is the spread-to-worst.

High Yield Morning Update

Dave Flaherty — Thu, 16 Mar 2017 13:33:53 +0000

The Federal Reserve raised its benchmark lending rate yesterday, as was widely anticipated by the market, and reiterated guidance for two hikes this year while keeping the long term target unchanged. Markets responded favorably with all US risk assets gaining ground as investors remain optimistic about the economy. The yield-to-worst/spread on the Bank of America High-Yield Index tightened for the first time in 10 sessions closing the day at 6.07%/+402bps. The pace of issuance remained slow with just one deal priced for $375 million, taking the MTD total to 40 deals and $25.45 billion in proceeds. Despite the turn in sentiment yesterday, WTD retail mutual and exchange traded fund flow data still shows a massive outflow of over $4 billion Thursday through Tuesday. WTI gained over $1 yesterday as EIA data showed that crude, gasoline, and distillate stockpiles all dropped while the market had priced in a further gains. This morning, yesterday’s rally is extending as markets continue to gain ground after the Fed statement eased some of the recent tension. High-yield is opening well bid as investors reenter the market looking for bargain pricing after the 9 day slide in prices with energy leading the way as oil advances for a second day. Four new deals are slated to price this afternoon.

The Bank of America Merrill Lynch US High Yield Index monitors the performance of below investment grade U.S. dollar-denominated corporate bonds publicly issued in the U.S. domestic market. Index data sourced from Bloomberg. Yield referenced is the yield-to-worst and spread referenced is the spread-to-worst.

High Yield Morning Update

Dave Flaherty — Wed, 15 Mar 2017 14:10:04 +0000

A heavy tone continued to drive the high yield market lower yesterday as the FOMC meetings got underway, with the yield-to-worst/spread on the Bank of America High-Yield Index pushing wider for the eighth straight session to close at 6.19%/+405bps, down 10bps/11bps on the day and 62bps/48bps since the slide began. It took a winter storm in NYC to pause the issuance activity with no new deals pricing yesterday, though MTD issuance stands at $25.075 billion making it the busiest month since September after last week’s record setting pace. Issuance spiked over the past couple weeks as the Fed hike talk moved sharply from a gradual hike in rates to a near certain hike this week as market expectations went from 32% on Feb 1^st to 80% on March 1 and 100% on March 8. WTI closed at a three-month low of $47.72, down 1.4% on the day. Money continues to flow out of the high-yield market this week with an estimated $3 billion outflow WTD after last weeks $2.12 billion outflow (flows from mutual and exchange traded funds, reporting week runs Thursday to the following Wednesday). The 10yr Treasury note yield closed at 2.60% versus a 32-month high of 2.63% yesterday. This morning the market is bouncing as oil recovers from its recent slide and the market awaits the Fed decision this afternoon at 2PM ET.

The Bank of America Merrill Lynch US High Yield Index monitors the performance of below investment grade U.S. dollar-denominated corporate bonds publicly issued in the U.S. domestic market. Index data sourced from Bloomberg. Yield referenced is the yield-to-worst and spread referenced is the spread-to-worst.