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Insights

European high yield: default rate coming down

Tom Southon
Tom Southon
Senior Analyst, High Yield

Key Takeaways

  • We have lowered our two-year default forecast, from 8.3% to 7.2%, which
    reflects the completion of a number of recapitalisation transactions and a
    recent pick-up in refinancing activity
  • The fundamental backdrop is relatively stable, with the deteriorating outlook in automotives set against a well-capitalised issuer base
  • Bifurcation of credit buckets continues with CCCs trading at distressed
    levels. Although the spread difference to single Bs has improved to
    1,140bps, it remains 350 above the 10-year average
  • On a sector basis, TMT remains the sector with the worst default outlook,
    but financials is not far behind

Our par-weighted default rate forecast for European High Yield (EHY) is 3.8% for the forward 12-month period and 7.2% for the forward 24-month period. Excluding hybrid issuers, the default rate increases to 4.5% over 12 months and 8.5% over 24 months. This compares to a LTM (last 12 months) default rate for Europe, to April 2024, of 4.1%1, and a recent peak through the Covid-19 pandemic of 6.9% 2.For context, Moody’s calculates a long-run average global speculative grade cumulative default rate of 4.1% over 12-months and 8.2% over 24-months.

Our headline forecast is lower than six months ago, falling from 8.3% to 7.2% over the forward 24-month period. This is largely the result of a number of liability management exercise (LME) transactions being completed since our last forecast, most notably Adler in real estate. Excluding this effect, underlying fundamentals have remained stable and refinancing activity has contributed to a slight decline in default expectations for certain issuers. We have not seen a notable increase in restructuring or LME candidates and would expect our forward forecast to continue to decline as more contemplated restructuring transactions are completed.

Sector commentary (also see Figure 1)

Autos The automotive sector has seen sizeable profit warnings ahead of Q3 earnings, with a slowdown in global sales and continued high costs – notably in Europe – all pointing to a weak outlook for the remainder of 2024 and into 2025. However, with the bulk of the EHY automotive sector being BB rated, this positively influences the automotive default forecast with balance sheets able to withstand the current sizeable pressure.

Capital goods The increased default expectation reflects the departure of Rolls-Royce from the index since our last forecast3.The ticker represented 13% of the sector and had a zero probability of default assigned to it.

Financial services The increase in financial services has been driven by the debt-collector space, with Intrum close to completing a discounted debt exchange transaction and GFKLDE likely to follow a similar path in the coming months.

Healthcare The healthcare sector has had a slight improvement, driven by refinancing activity.

Leisure Gaming names continue to be resilient, despite macro-economic uncertainties, with name-specific improvements feeding through to an overall slight reduction in default forecasts. Some of the improvement in Leisure stems from Stonegate falling out of the scope (having previously been at 15.5% and 18.5%). The company refinanced its large 2025 maturity this summer through a private transaction4 and is no longer included in our forecast.

Real estate The improved forecast in real estate is primarily a result of Adler Group executing a second restructuring following the last forecast date. Adler is one of the largest cap structures in the sector so has an outsized impact on the forecast. We also improved the forecast for SBB and MPW, which have moved forward with transactions that support near-term liquidity (although their absolute default risk remains elevated). On the other hand, we have significantly increased the forecast for Peach. While its November 2025 bond is trading in the 90s, reflecting a high recovery expectation, there is an expectation that shareholders will insist on some form of A&E or haircut before they provide funds for a recently announced deleveraging rights issue.

Services A key contributor to deterioration here is Zenith, which saw its default probability rise following a drastic change in the expected electric vehicle resale value. Elsewhere, there is marginal deterioration as companies opt to preserve capex while waiting through a slower period for the construction business.

TMT The telecoms sector default forecast continues to be heavily driven by the ongoing Altice France situation, where we expect a discounted LME in the near future. In Technology & Electronics the main story remains Atos where a restructuring process is ongoing – the optical reduction in default forecast stems from a perimeter change (bonds coming off index, mostly).

Figure 1: Columbia Threadneedle HY default forecast (12- and 24-month, sector & rating bucket)
Default forecast - I table
Default forecast - II table

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European high yield: default rate coming down

1 S&P, as at October 2024
2 Moody’s, as at October 2024

3 S&P Global, August 2024
4 Bloomberg, Stonegate Starts Debt Refinancing With £250 Million From TDR, 29 July 2024

Important information

For use by professional clients and/or equivalent investor types in your jurisdiction (not to be used with or passed on to retail clients). For marketing purposes.

 

This document is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered representative of any particular investment. This should not be considered an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or other financial instruments, or to provide investment advice or services. Investing involves risk including the risk of loss of principal. Your capital is at risk. Market risk may affect a single issuer, sector of the economy, industry or the market as a whole. The value of investments is not guaranteed, and therefore an investor may not get back the amount invested. International investing involves certain risks and volatility due to potential political, economic or currency fluctuations and different financial and accounting standards. The securities included herein are for illustrative purposes only, subject to change and should not be construed as a recommendation to buy or sell. Securities discussed may or may not prove profitable. The views expressed are as of the date given, may change as market or other conditions change and may differ from views expressed by other Columbia Threadneedle Investments (Columbia Threadneedle) associates or affiliates. Actual investments or investment decisions made by Columbia Threadneedle and its affiliates, whether for its own account or on behalf of clients, may not necessarily reflect the views expressed. This information is not intended to provide investment advice and does not take into consideration individual investor circumstances. Investment decisions should always be made based on an investor’s specific financial needs, objectives, goals, time horizon and risk tolerance. Asset classes described may not be suitable for all investors. Past performance does not guarantee future results, and no forecast should be considered a guarantee either. Information and opinions provided by third parties have been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed. This document and its contents have not been reviewed by any regulatory authority.

 

In Australia: Issued by Threadneedle Investments Singapore (Pte.) Limited [“TIS”], ARBN 600 027 414. TIS is exempt from the requirement to hold an Australian financial services licence under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) and relies on Class Order 03/1102 in respect of the financial services it provides to wholesale clients in Australia. This document should only be distributed in Australia to “wholesale clients” as defined in Section 761G of the Corporations Act. TIS is regulated in Singapore (Registration number: 201101559W) by the Monetary Authority of Singapore under the Securities and Futures Act (Chapter 289), which differ from Australian laws.

 

In Singapore: Issued by Threadneedle Investments Singapore (Pte.) Limited, 3 Killiney Road, #07-07, Winsland House 1, Singapore 239519, which is regulated in Singapore by the Monetary Authority of Singapore under the Securities and Futures Act (Chapter 289). Registration number: 201101559W. This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

 

In Hong Kong: Issued by Threadneedle Portfolio Services Hong Kong Limited 天利投資管理香港有限公司. Unit 3004, Two Exchange Square, 8 Connaught Place, Hong Kong, which is licensed by the Securities and Futures Commission (“SFC”) to conduct Type 1 regulated activities (CE:AQA779). Registered in Hong Kong under the Companies Ordinance (Chapter 622), No. 1173058.

 

In Japan: Issued by Columbia Threadneedle Investments Japan Co., Ltd. Financial Instruments Business Operator, The Director-General of Kanto Local Finance Bureau (FIBO) No.3281, and a member of Japan Investment Advisers Association and Type II Financial Instruments Firms Association.

 

In the UK: Issued by Threadneedle Asset Management Limited, No. 573204 and/or Columbia Threadneedle Management Limited, No. 517895, both registered in England and Wales and authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority.

 

In the EEA: Issued by Threadneedle Management Luxembourg S.A., registered with the Registre de Commerce et des Sociétés (Luxembourg), No. B 110242 and/or Columbia Threadneedle Netherlands B.V., regulated by the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM), registered No. 08068841.

 

In Switzerland: Issued by Threadneedle Portfolio Services AG, an unregulated Swiss firm or Columbia Threadneedle Management (Swiss) GmbH, acting as representative office of Columbia Threadneedle Management Limited, authorised and regulated by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA).

 

In the Middle East: This document is distributed by Columbia Threadneedle Investments (ME) Limited, which is regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA). For Distributors: This document is intended to provide distributors with information about Group products and services and is not for further distribution. For Institutional Clients: The information in this document is not intended as financial
advice and is only intended for persons with appropriate investment knowledge and who meet the regulatory criteria to be classified as a Professional Client or Market Counterparties and no other Person should act upon it.

 

This document may be made available to you by an affiliated company which is part of the Columbia Threadneedle Investments group of companies: Columbia Threadneedle Management Limited in the UK; Columbia Threadneedle Netherlands B.V., regulated by the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM), registered No. 08068841.

 

Columbia Threadneedle Investments is the global brand name of the Columbia and Threadneedle group of companies.

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Important information

For use by professional clients and/or equivalent investor types in your jurisdiction (not to be used with or passed on to retail clients). For marketing purposes.

 

This document is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered representative of any particular investment. This should not be considered an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or other financial instruments, or to provide investment advice or services. Investing involves risk including the risk of loss of principal. Your capital is at risk. Market risk may affect a single issuer, sector of the economy, industry or the market as a whole. The value of investments is not guaranteed, and therefore an investor may not get back the amount invested. International investing involves certain risks and volatility due to potential political, economic or currency fluctuations and different financial and accounting standards. The securities included herein are for illustrative purposes only, subject to change and should not be construed as a recommendation to buy or sell. Securities discussed may or may not prove profitable. The views expressed are as of the date given, may change as market or other conditions change and may differ from views expressed by other Columbia Threadneedle Investments (Columbia Threadneedle) associates or affiliates. Actual investments or investment decisions made by Columbia Threadneedle and its affiliates, whether for its own account or on behalf of clients, may not necessarily reflect the views expressed. This information is not intended to provide investment advice and does not take into consideration individual investor circumstances. Investment decisions should always be made based on an investor’s specific financial needs, objectives, goals, time horizon and risk tolerance. Asset classes described may not be suitable for all investors. Past performance does not guarantee future results, and no forecast should be considered a guarantee either. Information and opinions provided by third parties have been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed. This document and its contents have not been reviewed by any regulatory authority.

 

In Australia: Issued by Threadneedle Investments Singapore (Pte.) Limited [“TIS”], ARBN 600 027 414. TIS is exempt from the requirement to hold an Australian financial services licence under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) and relies on Class Order 03/1102 in respect of the financial services it provides to wholesale clients in Australia. This document should only be distributed in Australia to “wholesale clients” as defined in Section 761G of the Corporations Act. TIS is regulated in Singapore (Registration number: 201101559W) by the Monetary Authority of Singapore under the Securities and Futures Act (Chapter 289), which differ from Australian laws.

 

In Singapore: Issued by Threadneedle Investments Singapore (Pte.) Limited, 3 Killiney Road, #07-07, Winsland House 1, Singapore 239519, which is regulated in Singapore by the Monetary Authority of Singapore under the Securities and Futures Act (Chapter 289). Registration number: 201101559W. This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

 

In Hong Kong: Issued by Threadneedle Portfolio Services Hong Kong Limited 天利投資管理香港有限公司. Unit 3004, Two Exchange Square, 8 Connaught Place, Hong Kong, which is licensed by the Securities and Futures Commission (“SFC”) to conduct Type 1 regulated activities (CE:AQA779). Registered in Hong Kong under the Companies Ordinance (Chapter 622), No. 1173058.

 

In Japan: Issued by Columbia Threadneedle Investments Japan Co., Ltd. Financial Instruments Business Operator, The Director-General of Kanto Local Finance Bureau (FIBO) No.3281, and a member of Japan Investment Advisers Association and Type II Financial Instruments Firms Association.

 

In the UK: Issued by Threadneedle Asset Management Limited, No. 573204 and/or Columbia Threadneedle Management Limited, No. 517895, both registered in England and Wales and authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority.

 

In the EEA: Issued by Threadneedle Management Luxembourg S.A., registered with the Registre de Commerce et des Sociétés (Luxembourg), No. B 110242 and/or Columbia Threadneedle Netherlands B.V., regulated by the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM), registered No. 08068841.

 

In Switzerland: Issued by Threadneedle Portfolio Services AG, an unregulated Swiss firm or Columbia Threadneedle Management (Swiss) GmbH, acting as representative office of Columbia Threadneedle Management Limited, authorised and regulated by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA).

 

In the Middle East: This document is distributed by Columbia Threadneedle Investments (ME) Limited, which is regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA). For Distributors: This document is intended to provide distributors with information about Group products and services and is not for further distribution. For Institutional Clients: The information in this document is not intended as financial
advice and is only intended for persons with appropriate investment knowledge and who meet the regulatory criteria to be classified as a Professional Client or Market Counterparties and no other Person should act upon it.

 

This document may be made available to you by an affiliated company which is part of the Columbia Threadneedle Investments group of companies: Columbia Threadneedle Management Limited in the UK; Columbia Threadneedle Netherlands B.V., regulated by the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM), registered No. 08068841.

 

Columbia Threadneedle Investments is the global brand name of the Columbia and Threadneedle group of companies.

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