Middle-market collateralized loan obligations (CLOs) are gaining traction, driven by increased direct lending and investor interest, and are poised to surpass broadly syndicated CLOs. In 2023, middle-market CLO issuance reached $27.1 billion, capturing a record 23.4% of the US market.

A study by S&P Global Market Intelligence and Creditflux explores how CLO managers are adapting to this growth and managing risks, highlighting challenges like limited financial disclosures. 

S&P Global Ratings predicts that default rates on leveraged loans could rise from 1.9% in October 2023 to 3% by September 2024, underscoring the need for effective risk management. The research also examines how managers are incorporating ESG factors to meet regulatory and investor expectations.

Finsum: CLOs seem like a natural place for ESG factors to gain traction. 

Vanguard, managing over $9 trillion in assets, favors high-rated corporate debt over riskier high-yield bonds to guard against potential economic downturns caused by high borrowing costs. 

Despite expectations of the Federal Reserve cutting rates by September due to cooling inflation and labor market weakness, Vanguard predicts rates will hold steady this year. 

High demand for investment-grade bonds has compressed credit spreads, but Vanguard's defensive strategy, along with its active fixed income management, is poised to perform well if the economy weakens, allowing for credit additions at more attractive prices.

Finsum: Active managers will be eyeing fall fed decisions closely as they have a huge impact on bonds.

Bitcoin miners are pivoting to AI due to decreasing profitability in crypto mining. Houston-based Lancium and Denver-based Crusoe Energy Systems announced a multibillion-dollar deal to build a 200-megawatt data center near Abilene, Texas, to cater to AI companies. 

This project is the first phase of a 1.2-gigawatt build-out. At full capacity, it will be one of the largest AI data centers globally. The facility aims to utilize renewable energy and Crusoe’s technology to optimize energy usage. 

The Abilene center is expected to be operational by 2025, marking a significant shift in energy use and data center strategies.

Finsum: We are really going to see the stresses of energy on alternatives like crypto this year.

In 2023, registered investment advisors (RIAs) experienced a notable rebound, with assets under management rising nearly 18% to a median of $542 million, according to Schwab’s RIA Benchmarking Study. 

The median organic growth rate hit 5%, excluding market performance. RIA revenue increased by 6.3%, and the number of clients grew by 4.3%. Top-performing firms saw even higher growth rates of 12%. 

Key strategies for success included having a documented client persona, a solid value proposition, and a structured marketing plan. Client retention has remained steady at 97% over the past decade. Additionally, growing firms are focusing on talent acquisition and developing staff skills to drive future growth.

Finsum: Firms will simultaneously be doubling down efforts on retention and recruiting in 2024.

State Street Global Advisors (SSGA) is introducing a new 'high growth' option within its Risk-Based ETF Model Portfolios, aiming to attract younger investors. The portfolio allocates 89% to growth assets and 11% to defensive assets. 

Kathleen Gallagher, SSGA managing director, highlights this move as a response to adviser demand for cost-effective portfolios catering to clients in their accumulation phase. The high growth model will be available on Praemium, Hub24, and Netwealth platforms.

This complements SSGA’s existing moderate, balanced, and growth portfolios, focusing on strategic asset allocation and risk management.

Finsum: This option could be a great opportunity to get model adoption among younger clientele