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Fifth Street's Q3 2015 Capital Markets Outlook

OCTOBER 26, 2015

Banking on the Fourth Quarter

Despite disappointing middle market deal flow so far this year, lenders expect fourth quarter activity to be seasonally higher. With year-to-date volume trailing by roughly 30% versus the prior year, most middle market participants have experienced lackluster volumes in 2015(1). However, in our observation, select lenders (especially those with a direct origination platform) saw a pickup in activity heading into September.

Overall, the middle market still looks healthy as compared to the Broadly Syndicated Loan (“BSL”) space, which has succumbed to wider market volatility. Both middle market investor demand and appetite to finance new transactions show solid underpinnings. Additionally, pricing remains relatively stable, as compared to the BSL and high yield markets, owing to the middle market’s ongoing supply/demand imbalance. Looking ahead, lenders anticipate an uptick in activity, based on growing deal pipelines. Though they expect non-sponsored issuance to remain flat, lenders are counting on an increase in sponsored transactions (See Figure 1, right), which to date have only reached $35.7 billion this year (versus $51.9 billion during the corresponding period in 2014)(1).

As Predicted, Energy Disappoints

Within leveraged lending, sector performance diverged widely this quarter. The broad S&P Leveraged Loan Index was essentially flat, while the oil and gas sector retreated materially. Following HY, cracks have surfaced in the BSL space and, to a lesser extent, in the middle market. As we have maintained for some time, defaults in the energy sector will likely materialize as companies confront a refinancing wall. In our opinion, this realization has contributed to the sector’s most recent rise in yields, reaching 1,139 bps towards the end of September, as opposed to 653 bps at the same time last year (See Figure 2). Higher yields may appear tempting—and at some point, opportunities will emerge—however, in our view, we have yet to reach the inflection point.

Figure 2

Overall Secondary Yield by Sector

fs-mc-2015-10-23-figure-2-overall-secondary-yield-by-sector
Source: Thomson Reuters LPC Middle Market Weekly; As of 9/25/15.

BSL: A Harbinger of Things to Come?

Sector rotation and a flight to quality continue to characterize the BSL space and echoes of these trends can be seen in the middle market as well. For instance, many lenders remain partial to first lien positions, seeking the relative safety provided by participating higher in the capital structure.

From our standpoint, these developments are not atypical, given the juncture in the credit cycle and the increased volatility buffeting the equity and high yield bond markets. However, the extreme volatility that flared in August has yet to spill over into the loan markets, let alone the middle market segment. Instead, the middle market remains more heavily influenced by competitive dynamics. Banks are still grappling with Basel III requirements and Leveraged Lending Guidance (LLG). Plus, healthy competition by alternative lenders for high quality assets continues to fill the void as banks exit or reduce commitments.

On the whole, we believe the middle market is mostly stable. Pricing ticked up slightly after the August flash crash, but has since normalized. In general, terms and leverage have followed suit. That said, on the margin, for select credits with tier one sponsors and fortress balance sheets, we have seen a bit fuller leverage and slightly more borrower-friendly terms. For instance, pristine credits with attractive recurring revenue and greater than 50% equity checks have benefited from leverage in excess of 6x for one-stop or traditional first lien/second lien structures. We have also seen some select borrowers with this profile enjoy covenant-lite terms, despite being sub-$50 million credits. However, these remain the exception rather than the rule, as lenders are generally employing discipline—conditions we do not foresee changing in the fourth quarter.

Figure 3

Debt to EBITDA for MM LBOs

fs-mc-2015-10-23-figure-3-debt-EBITDA-MM-LBOs
Source: Thomson Reuters LPC Middle Market Weekly; As of 10/9/15. Note: Debt to EBITDA data for middle market institutional LBOs. 1Q09-3Q09 did not have enough deals to show an accurate quarterly figure. Average quarterly EBITDA ranges between $40-$60MM in any given quarter.

Antares Debuts under New Management

Last quarter, the market was keenly focused on the sale of GE Capital’s sponsor finance business to the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board. While many speculated about the potential impact, from our perspective, it seemed too early for decisive conclusions. However, we did contend that the effects were unlikely to be immediate. Three months later, we have seen Antares Capital resurface under the auspices of the Canada Pension Plan. Though our paths have only crossed a few times, on the surface, the new entity appears to be a disciplined competitor in terms of both pricing and size.

 

BDCs Potential Beneficiaries of New Liquidity Rules

A Q&A with Leonard M. Tannenbaum
Founder & Chief Executive Officer, FSAM

In late September, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) proposed several rule changes under the banner of the “liquidity risk management program.” Although the changes are targeted at the mutual fund industry, BDCs may become unintended beneficiaries.

How would you describe the proposed rule changes as defined by the SEC?
The SEC has proposed stronger measures to manage liquidity risks among open-end mutual funds and exchange traded funds (ETFs) when facing redemptions during periods of market turbulence. The new rules require funds to classify their assets according to how easily they could be converted to cash. Funds would then be mandated to keep a certain percentage of their portfolio in assets that could be liquidated, without materially impacting pricing, within a three-day window.

What challenges do the underlying assets in ‘40 Act mutual funds and bond ETFs currently face with respect to liquidity?
These rule changes come at a time when the bond market is already hampered by less liquidity due to post-financial crisis regulation. In particular, Wall Street has been unable to make a market with any depth in corporate bonds. Prior to 2008, broker dealers would hold inventories; however, those inventories have fallen by nearly 80% in the post-crisis world(3). Given the lack of trading depth in the corporate bond market, formalizing guidelines around liquidity seems sensible, in our view.

If the SEC’s proposed rules are enacted, do you expect closed-end structures to benefit from greater demand from investors who want exposure to middle market loans?
Closed-end structures, which include BDCs, stand to benefit since the rules do not apply to them. As “permanent capital” vehicles, BDCs do not face the same issues with respect to redemptions.

How will the changes impact financing for mid-market borrowers and their sponsors?
If open-end funds have less latitude to hold illiquid assets, larger middle market issuers and their sponsors might find they have fewer options when it comes to financing. With less competition, BDCs and private funds would be well-positioned to capture a greater share of the opportunity.

With a more limited investment universe, will returns decline for ‘40 Act mutual funds and ETFs?
The consequence of these proposed changes will be to increase holdings of more liquid but lower-yield securities. As a result, returns should decline. For example, funds may have a greater propensity to hold Treasuries, cash and other highly liquid marketable securities alongside debt. Yet, holding cash is suboptimal, since it drags on returns. Mutual funds might also elect to “right-size.” It is inherently easier to get rid of a smaller position than a larger position. So, funds might need to reduce their assets under management to make it easier to comply.

How can liquidity requirements and alpha generation co-exist for “liquid alts” strategies?
The newly proposed rules are especially tricky for funds that market themselves under the misnomer “liquid alternative.” These assets are not liquid—they are based on indicative quotes that are stale and not actionable. Part of the problem is that there is no single definition of “liquid.” Liquidity captures a point in time in a “normal” market. How do you define that? Simply because something isn’t “locked up” doesn’t necessarily make it liquid and being able to sell something in theory differs from being able to sell it in practice. Based on our 17 year-plus track record of originating and holding these types of assets, we know that only about 5% of issuance ever trades again after the first two weeks—beyond that, a bond is typically held until maturity. Bottom line: if a firm isn’t prepared to adhere to liquidity requirements, it should consider a hedge fund LP structure with quarterly redemptions.

 

Fifth Street Activity

New regulations are reshaping the middle market landscape—ranging from the SEC’s liquidity management program to new risk retention rules for CLOs. In both cases, Fifth Street is at the forefront in responding, seeing through to the opportunities these challenges bring. For instance, as of 9/30/15, Fifth Street agented and syndicated $2.39 billion of deals (compared to $1.8 billion in all of 2014), according to Thomson Reuters LPC League Tables. Part of this can be attributed to winning a greater share of lead left business with larger sponsors—a trend we expect to continue as we streamline our syndication process, as highlighted further below.

Modernizing Middle Market Lending

As previously announced, Fifth Street Asset Management has provided seed funding for MMKT Exchange LLC (“MMKT”), a new digital platform designed to introduce efficiency, liquidity and transparency to the outdated middle market loan syndication process, while increasing accessibility to a broader base of purchasers. This quarter, MMKT secured $5.9 million in backing from a group of strategic high net worth and institutional investors attracted by its value proposition.

The process for middle market loan syndications remains inefficient and cumbersome and has not changed in any meaningful way over the last few decades. Transactions are often agreed upon by phone, then settled by fax or email. Utilizing a first-class technology-based workflow solution, MMKT will deliver a secure, end-to-end platform that streamlines this process, saving time and money for all those involved.

A big problem today in the loan market is that many loans are not based on actual bids and offers, but instead on indicative quotes that may not be updated. The MMKT Exchange is intended to eventually expand into trading existing loans, which will help increase the amount of real bids, offers and quotes, bringing more liquidity and transparency to the industry.

Fifth Street Dominates 2015 Middle Market CLO Issuance

Despite the turbulent market conditions and broader market volatility in August, Fifth Street Asset Management was able to price and close Fifth Street SLF II, Ltd. (“FS SLF II”), a $416.6 million CLO. FSAM’s second actively managed CLO, FS SLF II also represents the third debt securitization across the broader platform since our inaugural issue in February 2015. Cumulatively, the three securitizations account for roughly 20% of all middle market CLO capital raised so far this year(4).

With a four-year reinvestment period, FS SLF II is mainly invested in middle market senior secured loans sourced and originated through the Fifth Street platform. Fifth Street CLO Management LLC retained five percent of the securities in every class, which ranged from from Aaa/AAA through Ba3 along with unrated subordinated notes.

In our view, the expansion of our CLO platform and healthy demand from institutional investors endorses both the power of our direct origination platform as well as the potential of the middle market.

(1) Thomson Reuters LPC’s 4Q15 MM Investor Outlook Survey;10/2/15. I (2) S&P Capital IQ LCD Global CLO Report; as of 9/30/15. None of S&P, its affiliates or their suppliers guarantee the accuracy, adequacy, completeness or availability of any information and is not responsible for any errors or omissions, regardless of the cause or for the results obtained from the use of such information. In no event shall S&P, its affiliates or any of their suppliers be liable for any damages, costs, expenses, legal fees, or losses (including lost income or lost profit and opportunity costs) in connection with any use of S&P information. I (3) SEC IM Guidance Update, January 2014. I (4) The CLO Salmagundi: Middle-Market CLO Update (Wells Fargo Securities, LLC Structured Products Research), as of 9/9/15.

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Fifth Street Asset Management Inc. (NASDAQ:FSAM) is a nationally recognized credit-focused asset manager. The firm has over $5 billion of assets under management across two publicly-traded business development companies, Fifth Street Finance Corp. (NASDAQ:FSC) and Fifth Street Senior Floating Rate Corp. (NASDAQ:FSFR), as well as multiple private investment vehicles. The Fifth Street platform provides innovative and customized financing solutions to small and mid-sized businesses across the capital structure through complementary investment vehicles and co-investment capabilities. With over a 17-year track record focused on disciplined credit investing across multiple economic cycles, Fifth Street is led by a seasoned management team that has issued billions of dollars in public equity, private capital and public debt securities. Fifth Street’s national origination strategy, proven track record and established platform are supported by nearly 100 professionals across locations in Greenwich, Chicago and San Francisco.

fifth-streetRobyn Friedman, Senior Vice President,
Head of Investor Relations
rfriedman@fifthstreetfinance.com | (203) 681-3723