High yield/Leveraged Loan/Distressed Debt
Hi,
Looking for someone with experience trading leveraged loans/high yield/distressed debt that could give some insight in to the role. Specifically-
- What a typical day looks like on the desk
- Strategies (Total noob here)
- Best books to help learn
- Outlook for the industry
- Exits
Thanks,
T
As an incoming summer S&T analyst, I am interested in knowing as well.
And to add to the list: Is this a wise choice as a summer rotation? How many summer interns does this desk typically hire?
bump also interested
Bump
Distressed Debt Trading... Help?! (Originally Posted: 06/12/2014)
Hey guys, I got placed on a distressed trading desk for my S&T internship at a BB. I was gunning for something macro but this will be a good learning experience nonetheless. I was wondering if anyone could provide insight on what I'll be doing as an intern at such a desk? What will the hours be like? What should I brush up on/read over the weekend to make sure I hit the ground running?
Personally, my accounting isn't very strong at all as I come from an engineering background. I have read that these desks prefer people with IBD/restructuring experience so I'm not sure why I got placed here.
A good read that you should try to skim through is A Colossal Failure of Common Sense: The Inside Story of the Collapse of Lehman Brothers. The writer was a distressed debt trader with Lehman.
Most chapters cover his time on Wall Street and the issues Lehman had, but you'll find some chapters covering distressed specifics, along with his trading success during the Delta Airlines restructuring.
Thanks. Anyone else?
I'm also confused as to whether this desk, since it is at a BB within S&T, will operate like a special situations desk where a lot of obscure investment opportunities are considered or whether they are simply a market maker for bonds with a huge spread over the comparable risk-free security (like a higher High Yield desk).
Depends on how it's set up at your shop. For example GS has SSG, and then it has a distressed market making desk. Other reputable groups on the street are DB's Distressed Products Group (DPG), and BAML's Global Loans and Special Situations Group (GLSSG). I am not sure if those are ALSO the distressed market making desks at DB and BAML respectively, or if they are separated like at GS; maybe someone more familiar can provide that color.
Even if it's a "vanilla" (i.e. not SSG) distressed market making desk, the product is one of the most illiquid out there so it is going to function in large part like a prop desk anyway. I have also heard of distressed market making desks participate in workouts and restructurings (by choice, not because they got stuck with paper that defaulted).
They will probably start you out as a desk analyst (i.e. non-publishing research) where you learn how to analyze securities across the cap structure and generate trade ideas for the desk and selected clients.
Sounds like it could be a combination of both depending on the client and the liquidity if the bond.
So what would a trading intern be doing on a day to day basis?
Few questions regarding HY (Originally Posted: 03/30/2011)
When people refer to HY debt they refer to bonds. But isn't a leveraged loan, HY debt as well, since both instruments are non-investment grade.
I thought HY bonds are subordinated (unsecured) and leveraged loans are senior (secured) , but now I've seen some deals in the market with HY bonds being SENIOR SECURED? Since when are HY bonds senior secured?
Most of the HY senior secured bond issuance is used for refinancing to replace loans but can it also be used for acquisition purposes?
This relates to 3 but can you have a PE acquisition with ALL the senior debt being in the form of HY senior secured bonds, instead of term loans a,b,c etc?
What is the difference between a 2nd lien loan and HY senior secured bond? they are both senior and both have a 2nd lien security. obv one is a loan and the other is a bond but apart from that they seem very similar similar.
Technically, yes. But that's not what people call it. And one would be hard-pressed to argue that current leverage loans are "high yield."
Bonds can be secured, senior unsecured, senior subordinated, junior subordinated, senior holdco...it just depends. Historically, bonds have been typically secured, but there's no reason this has to be the case. Similarly, loans are typically senior secured but there are instances of unsecured or holdco loans as well.
Yes.
Yes. Distribution companies are frequently acquired using an ABL / Senior Secured bond structure with "crossing" liens on different collateral. Often, sponsors will prefer to use a degree of subordinated debt in order to keep collateral free for future acquisitions (easier to sell secured debt down the road than unsecured/subordinated, etc)
Depends on the liens. If both the bond and the loan have a 2nd lien on the same collateral, then they are ranked pari passu and will be paid out ratably on the collateral in a liquidation. The two could theoretically have a different guarantee structure which would affect payouts, though.
Anyone know why a company or sponsor would prefer Cov-Lite Loans vs. Senior Secured Bonds? Seems to be very similar in security, covenants, and etc.?
Usually loans are senior to bonds = cheaper.
Bonds often have several years of call protection, meaning it can be very expensive to break them, limiting ability to prepay debt or sell the company.
I agree with Sterling, but to expand on #2, a high yield obviously implies more risk. That risk could come from a number of factors including whether it is secured, lien status, borrower, etc. Blue-chip companies can often sell subordinated or unsecured debt without have to pay a huge price (in the form of higher yields) for it. However, a startup company with a low rating or no rating may have to sell debt at high yields even if it is senior secured.
Thanks Archer... so in theory if a Senior Secured Bond ranked Pari Passu with the Senior Secured Loan, assume Cove-Lite, (which I understand could happen), would it actually be cheaper to finance using Senior Secured Bonds since the creditors is trading call protection in exchange for a lower yield? I know bank debt is the cheapest form of financing, but would that ever not be the case?
It depends on a couple of things but typically loans will be cheaper than pari bonds.
Why do you ask these questions? SA in high yield DCM?
When people refer to HY debt they refer to bonds. But isn't a leveraged loan, HY debt as well, since both instruments are non-investment grade. A: HY is a category primarily referencing ratings/leverage. Under BBB-, at BB+ or equiv @ the other agencies. Various instruments in a company's capital structure can carry different ratings due to structure/seniority. For example you could have a HY co with Investment Grade ("IG") securities in its cap structure due to valuable assets/collateral and or subco guarantees putting structural support (downside protection) on THAT specific security. You can have a post-LOB HY co w/ IG/XO "lev" loans (BBB-/BB) etc.
I thought HY bonds are subordinated (unsecured) and leveraged loans are senior (secured) , but now I've seen some deals in the market with HY bonds being SENIOR SECURED? Since when are HY bonds senior secured? A: Most often yes. However in the recent credit crisis many co's issues sr. sec. bonds to attract capital. Often times, in a benign economic environment, companies do not "need" to pledge away collateral to attract capital. Sign of the times. When the S&P is @ 700 and cos like GE CAP having trouble refi'ing, unfortunately they do. Also relevant if the company is UNIQUELY shty, like a 10x asset-light LBO gone bad, plenty of those that need to refi by providing security, you can do so thru bonds vs. loans because the mkt is deeper and syndication/execution and consequently the $ raise will be easier.
Most of the HY senior secured bond issuance is used for refinancing to replace loans but can it also be used for acquisition purposes? A: sure, can comprise many LBO cap structures.
This relates to 3 but can you have a PE acquisition with ALL the senior debt being in the form of HY senior secured bonds, instead of term loans a,b,c etc? A: Atypical, but sure..remember TLs are securities w/ repayment profile structurally similar to bonds (aside from the floating rate aspect, generically mandatory gradual paydown/amort vs. bullet payment @ maturity) and are a deep, tradable market that's funded (unlike many revolvers), and hence attracting capital w relative ease.
What is the difference between a 2nd lien loan and HY senior secured bond? they are both senior and both have a 2nd lien security. obv one is a loan and the other is a bond but apart from that they seem very similar similar. A: They are similar but could differ in coupon, seniority, collateral, and amount out$ which affects how liquid the instrument is in the mkt. Remember most TLs are floating rate and most HY bonds are fixed rate, so they will trade differently and therefore attract different sorts and amounts of buyers/capital depending on exogenous factors.
secured HY can be 1st lien as well.
And 3rd lien !
and 7th liens and 5th priority guarantees LOL
great thread
High-Yield and Restructured Debt Career Question (Originally Posted: 03/07/2010)
Hello,
I have a B.S. Electrical Engineering , a Masters in Financial Engineering from a top school, and I am a CFA Level III candidate. My experience includes a stint at a mid-market private equity firm and I am currently at a Big-4 accounting firm in their Valuation division.
Currently I………..specialize in debt – mainly high-yield and preferred but also senior unsecured and liens. Because of my quant skill set and the poor economy, I value a lot of restructured debt with warrant kickers, convertible perpetual preferred with soft calls, debt with sliding calls, secured loans that are not fully covered, beneficial interest of financial guarantees, convertible preferred, convertible bonds etc. I’ve done normal DCF’s and worked with risk-neutral pricing models.
I would like to continue working with these instruments and have noticed that companies often do not understand the structure of these instruments and their actual value.
In the Future….. I would like to go back to investment management, preferably with a long/short debt fund.
My question…….. Given that I do not want to work on fairness opinions, but instead on the structuring side of these instruments, what is a logical place to start looking? I am not interested in M&A or taking public companies at all. Would an investment bank’s leveraged finance or restructuring group fit the bill? I have a gut feeling that they do not necessarily care/know about the quantitative skill set. Also, my path is not traditional by any means.
Also, ideally down the line I would like to go back to investment management in a long/short debt fund specializing in high-yield and restructured debt that has both fundamental and quant analysis. I was thinking it would really help to work on structuring the transactions, but I would like to know what people think of.
Current situation --> Hedge fund long/short debt Current situation --> some i-bank function --> hedge fund.
I am talking long term here and not a two year horizon for exit ops for where the firm will place. Also, I’m not particularly interested in a BB. I just want to work with these instruments and whichever firm is reasonably positioned in this space is one that I would consider.
Thanks for any helpful advice.
good luck getting a job in Lev Fin, but that sounds like where you want to be...
High Yield Trading (Originally Posted: 05/21/2008)
I've noticed that High Yield Traders in both cash and derivatives tend to work pretty long hours compared to the rest of the floor. Why is that? Routinely I notice them there later past 7,8, and sometimes 9pm. Is High Yield that much more time intensive compared to say High Grade as a prodcut to trade? Is sales equally as time requisite?
salemen dont stay as long
HY traders need to stay longer bc they dont have time during the day to read thru 10-ks etc to keep up on companies and yes HY is a lot more complex due to issues related to covenants, default, recoveries, etc.
High Yield non bond trading (Originally Posted: 01/26/2011)
Is there a high yield trading desk that is not a high yield bond trading desk?
Most (all?) major banks have high-yield syndicated loan desks separate from bonds.
Occaecati rerum sed iste sint beatae est suscipit. Veritatis iure quo rerum et. Quod commodi corrupti perferendis sapiente odit aut. Porro autem qui quia officiis nesciunt perspiciatis sapiente. Laboriosam quae repudiandae ex. Asperiores corrupti aliquam qui fugit optio. Est aspernatur rem ut aspernatur quaerat.
Distinctio et nostrum fuga ratione totam harum. Exercitationem ut sequi quae repellat voluptate aliquam. Excepturi vel enim odit nihil.
Enim perferendis eum consequatur. Odio unde tempora tempora culpa. Delectus consequuntur doloribus illo. Voluptas repellat fuga a soluta sed.
Temporibus deserunt facilis ad. Unde ex et quisquam dolorum consequatur tempora voluptas. Neque quisquam sit autem in.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...
Laboriosam odit dolor minima similique. Voluptatum atque pariatur tempora hic sequi occaecati autem. Praesentium harum velit consequatur enim distinctio inventore.
Aut omnis recusandae aut nostrum asperiores unde. Doloribus ut et sit qui dolores.