Know More. Risk Better.

Season 6 of "Know More. Risk Better.," kicks off with a deep dive into the financial currents shaping the market. Join Winnie Cisar, Global Head of Strategy, and Zachary Griffiths, Head of US Investment Grade and Macro Strategy, as they analyze the aftermath of 4Q23 and 1Q24's economic data and the Federal Reserve's nuanced policy signals.

In this episode of "Know More. Risk Better.," we invited Visa's Principal US Economist, Michael Brown, to explore the U.S. economy's resilience amidst Fed tightening and discuss how the Visa Spending Momentum Index provides a deeper cut into understanding recent consumer spending trends. Brown delves into the consumer spending dynamics post-COVID and analyzes the nuances of credit health and emerging payment trends. This episode provides key insights into today's economic trends and the future direction of the US economy and financial markets.

In the latest episode of "Know More. Risk Better.," host Zachary Griffiths is joined by Todd Duvick, Head of Autos research, to discuss the recent downgrade of the U.S. auto sector's performance rating. Despite the sector's significant outperformance since upgrading Autos to Outperform in November 2023, Duvick explains valuations reflect the auto sector’s improved supply-demand balance and the repricing of Ford’s bonds following its upgrade to investment grade. The episode delves into the implications of these factors on the auto market and explores the evolving dynamics of electric vehicle adoption and the potential challenges posed by Chinese competitors.

In this episode, host Winnie Cisar is joined by Euro consumer analyst Maryum Ali and Euro auto analyst Jim Williamson to discuss how premium consumer brands and the auto sector are navigating economic challenges. They focus on consumer trends in Europe and globally, earnings season outcomes, and the evolving landscape of electric vehicles. Tune in today as the conversation provides a deep dive into how these sectors are adapting and what indicators are key for future performance.

In the latest episode of "Know More. Risk Better.," host Winnie Cisar and Special Situations Legal Research Head Mark Lightner delve into the complexities of mass torts and bankruptcy, focusing on high-profile cases like Purdue Pharma's. They unravel the impacts of third-party releases and the controversial Texas Two-Step strategy for companies facing mass tort liabilities. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in how landmark legal battles shape creditworthiness for companies with mass tort exposure.

Winnie Cisar is joined by Dave Preston, Head of Structured Credit Research at AGL Credit Management. Together, they delve into the intricacies of the CLO market, discussing the appealing cash-on-cash returns of CLO equity, the significance of CLO manager performance, and the impact of banks and Japanese investors on AAA CLO tranches. Dave also sheds light on the increasing prominence of private credit CLOs and offers insights for investors navigating this complex landscape.

In the latest "Know More. Risk Better." episode, host Zachary Griffiths and GeoQuant's Head of Research, Ross Schaap examine the 2024 US presidential election, leveraging their model's impressive 83% success rate in predicting outcomes.

Tune into our latest "Know More. Risk Better." episode where strategy meets insight in the fixed income arena. Head of Financials, Simon Adamson joins to dissect the impact of US commercial real estate on European banks and what it means for investors. We also take a closer look at European bank performance and the potential shifts in the banking landscape. Essential listening for anyone looking to stay ahead in the world of credit investing.

In our latest "Know More. Risk Better." podcast episode, host Winnie Cisar and Global Editor-in-chief of LFI, Luke Millar unpack the European leveraged finance market's robust start in 2024. They tackle key drivers, CLO trends, and the evolving private credit landscape, offering expert analysis on the sector's opportunities and challenges. Tune in for critical insights into high-yield strategies and default outlooks.

In this episode of "Know More. Risk Better.," host Zachary Griffiths joins Head of East Asia Corporates, Zerlina Zeng, to analyze China's unexpected five-year loan prime rate cut and its implications for market sentiment and investment strategies. They explore the nuanced impacts on the credit market, debate future policy shifts, and offer insights on navigating the current investment climate.

In this episode of "Know More. Risk Better.," Winnie Cisar and Zachary Griffiths unpack the implications of the latest CPI and PPI data on fixed income markets, and discuss the Federal Reserve's anticipated rate adjustments. They provide a strategic outlook for investors amid shifting economic indicators and market resilience.

In our latest podcast episode, we're thrilled to introduce Brian Conroy, the founder of Bixby – a company specializing in the leveraged loan market and the newest member of the Fitch Solutions family. Brian shares his journey from the investment banking world to creating Bixby, a platform addressing the need for transparent information flow in private markets. He discusses Bixby’s growth, its near-complete coverage of the US loan market, and its expansion plans into Europe. Tune in to hear how Bixby's data is revolutionizing the way clients approach the loan market and discover the synergy with CreditSights’ suite of products.

In the latest episode of "Know More. Risk Better.," we invited Fitch Ratings Head of US Leveraged Finance, Lyuba Petrova and CreditSights Head of Quantitative Research, Kai Gilkes to discuss the anticipated US bond and leveraged loan default rates for 2024, exploring key factors and potential impacts on investment strategies. The conversation also touches on the role of private credit and liability management in shaping the fixed income landscape. Tune in for strategic insights crucial for navigating the evolving credit market. For further questions please feel free to reach out to Lyuba at Lyuba.petrova@fitchratings.com.

Host Zachary Griffiths discusses the delicate balance of risks and opportunities in the fixed income market with BMI's Global Head of Country Risk, Cedric Chehab. Cedric shares his expert analysis on the expected economic slowdown in 2024, highlighting the contrast between developed and emerging markets and the pivotal role of monetary and fiscal policy. This episode provides investment professionals with critical insights into the strategic considerations essential for navigating the forces shaping global credit markets.

In this insightful episode of "Know More. Risk Better.," host Winnie Cisar sits down with analyst Mary Pollock, CFA to explore the current state of the European real estate market amidst a pivotal property cycle. They dissect the impact of hybrid work trends on office property valuations and discuss the importance of interest coverage ratios (ICRs) to determine the health of issuers’ balance sheets through this cycle. Tune in for an expert analysis.

Tune in as host Winnie Cisar and analyst Davis Hebert explore the pivotal trends in the media and telecom sectors as we advance into 2024. Hebert discusses broadband competition, adaptive strategies in video services, and the evolving ad spend landscape. The episode also sheds light on sports viewership trends and addresses tactical debt management within high-yield sectors. A compact yet comprehensive listen for those tracking the pulse of media and telecom developments.

In this episode of "Know More. Risk Better.," host Winnie Cisar and US Bureau Chief for LevFin Insights, Kerry Kantin, dissect the bustling start of the leveraged loan market in 2024. They delve into the implications of the market's robust opening, and the emerging trends in refinancings and repricings. With the market swiftly adapting to macroeconomic signals, they explore the strategic maneuvers companies are making to optimize their capital structures.

Dive into the latest episode of "Know More. Risk Better.," where hosts Winnie Cisar and Zachary Griffiths, alongside Head of Euro Strategy Logan Miller, dissect underappreciated risks in the fixed income markets for 2024. The trio discusses sector-by-sector threats, highlighting the potential for increased leverage and the looming concerns of waning demand and higher interest rates. Tune in for their expert analysis on how macro trends are shaping micro-market movements and what that means for your investment strategy.

In this episode of "Know More. Risk Better.," host Winnie Cisar and Senior Municipal Strategist, Pat Luby offer a comprehensive look at the municipal bond market's shaky start in 2024. They explore the dynamics of job growth within state and local governments and the influence of upcoming elections on muni bonds. Luby also breaks down recent trends in mutual fund and ETF flows, discussing the implications of current market uncertainty on investment strategies.

Tune into the latest episode of "Know More. Risk Better" where host Zachary Griffiths, and Head of Insurance Josh Esterov, CFA give an overview of the funding agreement-backed notes (FABNs) market, the hot start to the year for FABN issuance, and dive into how FABNs can act as a "cheat code" for investors in high quality fixed income looking to outperform the 'AA' or even 'A' indices. They also discuss how FABNs provide benefits for both issuers (life insurers) and investors. A must-listen for investment professionals looking to find ways to pick up spread/yield within the highest quality rating buckets of corporate credit.