How private credit broadens the yield opportunity for asset owners, says Nuveen

Nuveen’s 2023 EQuilibrium survey of global institutional investors found that nearly half of the 800 respondents were revisiting their traditional fixed income allocations as they expand their reach for yield. However, investors were not only exploring opportunities in mainstream bonds. Investing in alternative credit was selected as the next most popular course of action, with private credit identified as one of the top asset classes.

Randy Schwimmer, co-head of senior lending at Churchill, a Nuveen company, answers five questions concerning private credit – highlighting why the current market environment is particularly favourable for private credit investors, and what enables the asset class to effectively withstand economic turmoil throughout multiple market cycles.

Q: How are higher rates affecting private credit?

Schwimmer: With the US Federal Reserve (Fed) having hiked rates by over 500 basis points in a little over a year, leveraged loan issuers are clearly being pressured by tighter borrowing costs. In turn, private equity owners are challenged to maintain their fund returns. Nevertheless, we are in the most attractive direct lending environment we’ve seen in recent history.

Lower debt capacity means sponsors must invest more cash equity as a percent of total capital resulting in a larger cushion for lenders. Debt multiples are also down by a full turn of EBITDA. At the same time the benchmark rate jumped, loan spreads have widened, which has produced the best spread per unit of leverage metric in memory.

Add to all this tighter and more numerous financial covenants and you have a very investor-friendly environment.

Q: What can investors expect from private credit in a recessionary environment?

Schwimmer: Investors are often attracted to private credit for its stability during economic uncertainty. During the pandemic, for example, public market valuations collapsed, while private debt did not. Another feature when inflation is a concern, is that senior middle market debt is floating rate and so they can hedge against Fed hikes.

But higher interest rates are naturally concerning when leverage is too high. A recession would increase the risk of default.

Having invested successfully through the global financial crisis and other business cycles, the Churchill team understands how to construct an all-weather portfolio. Stress-testing each financing opportunity before we commit is critical. By selecting market leading businesses with high free cash flow characteristics in defensive sectors, we are prepared for a recession whether it happens or not.

Count of leveraged buyouts financed in broadly syndicated loans vs private credit markets

Q: Where do you see the opportunities in current environment?

Schwimmer: Our strategy is not opportunistic. We don’t dip in and out of private debt depending on the prevailing macro winds. We partner with companies that are positioned for long-term success throughout the economic cycle.

They’re typically less cyclical companies in healthcare, software, business services and technology, providing non-discretionary products or services with a large and reliable customer base. So, they are well placed to service interest payments and pay back loans when rates go higher and market conditions get tough.

Even in today’s challenging markets, these better businesses are still commanding near-record purchase price multiples of cash flow. With debt capacity down by at least a turn of EBITDA, private equity buyers need to come up with more cash equity. We have a thriving equity co-investment practice that has further stepped up its activity in this environment.

Q: Tell us about the outlook for your sector.

Schwimmer: Private credit is now an essential source of financing to middle market companies (those with EBITDA between $10 to $100 million). Since the global financial crisis, many banks no longer participate in the direct lending business, and recent regional banking problems in the US are only likely to reinforce that trend.

Higher rates and demand-side challenges in the broadly syndicated market have shifted issuance to direct lenders. Churchill’s investment activity reached a record high in 2022, surpassing 2021 (the most active year ever in the industry) when we invested $11 billion in over 375 transactions across senior lending, junior capital, equity co-investments and private equity fund commitments. As rates moderate longer-term, we expect some rebalancing to liquid loans for large-cap, rated issuers.

That sector is a growing source of attractive risk-adjusted returns and diversification for investors. Pricing is much more attractive with the increase in rates and wider spreads, leverage multiples are lower and financing terms for lenders have improved.

Q: You’ve discussed the macro issues. What other risks should investors be aware of, and how can they manage them?

Schwimmer: Investors need to be sure that the opportunities match their risk and return expectations, and are at the scale they require.'

Partner with a private credit manager who can source a wide range of deals across sectors and deal types, and who has an established track record proving they can invest through an entire market cycle with a consistent philosophy and approach to unlocking value.

To read Nuveen’s latest thought leadership on private credit and our full capabilities in the asset class, visit our website.