Macro & Market Views

2Q26 Alternative Credit Market Overview

2Q26 Alternative Credit Market Overview

Software Case Study: Diversifying Beyond Asset Class for Risk Mitigation

Software may be the clearest recent example of shared common risk factors across what on the surface appear as diversified asset classes. Before the selloff, the three largest artificial intelligence (AI)-impacted collateralized loan obligation (CLO) sectors—technology, healthcare and services—represented approximately $322 billion of US CLO holdings, or 37.5% of collateral.1 Services and software loans saw their average price dip below $89 at their most challenged, with 14% below $80.2

While the advancement of AI tools is likely to have an impact across software—and many other sectors—we believe there is more nuance to the AI story than the headlines would suggest. The degree of dislocation will likely vary among borrowers. In our view, enterprise software platforms with differentiated offerings, large installed bases and deep integration in customer ecosystems are likely to be most resilient in the face of AI—or potentially even add value to their client relationships by leveraging emerging functionality.

 

1. Source: S&P Global; data as of February 20, 2026 (most recent available).
2. Source: S&P Global; data as of March 24, 2026 (most recent available).

1. Source: Federal Reserve Bank of New York; data as of July 17, 2026.
2. Source: Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis; data as of May 31, 2026.
3. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics; data as of July 2, 2026.
4. Source: BofA Global Research; data as of June 5, 2026.
5. Source: University of Michigan; data as of June 26, 2026.
6. Source: Bloomberg; data as of June 30, 2026.
7. Source: Citi Research; data as of July 6, 2026.
8. Source: KBRA DLD Research; data as of June 30, 2026.
9. Source: KBRA DLD Research; data as of April 10, 2026.
10. Source: Freddie Mac; data as of June 30, 2026.
11. Source: PitchBook | LCD; data as of June 26, 2026.
12. Source: PitchBook | LCD; data as of June 30, 2026.
13. Source: PitchBook | LCD; data as of June 26, 2026.


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Alternative investments can be speculative and are not suitable for all investors. Investing in alternative investments is only intended for experienced and sophisticated investors who are willing and able to bear the high economic risks associated with such an investment. Investors should carefully review and consider potential risks before investing. Certain of these risks include:

• Loss of all or a substantial portion of the investment;
• Lack of liquidity in that there may be no secondary market or interest in the strategy, and none is expected to develop;
• Volatility of returns;
• Interest rate risk;
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• Below investment-grade loans which may default and adversely affect returns.

Asset-based lending (ABL) is corporate borrowing supported by specific assets of the borrower rather than its cash flows.

Broadly-syndicated loans (BSL) typically refer to floating-rate commercial loans provided by a group of lenders—the syndicate—to a noninvestment grade borrower.

Collateralized loan obligations (CLO) are financial instruments collateralized by a pool of corporate loans.

Direct lending refers to a loan agreement negotiated between a borrower and single or small group of nonbank lenders. Direct lending can also be referred to as “private credit” or “private lending.”

Residential transitional loans (RTL) are short-term loans to real estate developers for the purpose of renovating a residential property. The loans are secured by the property being renovated.

Structured credit is a financial instrument that pools together groups of similar, income-generating assets.

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