OREANDA-NEWS. February 09, 2015. Issuance of new U.S. CLOs finished the last quarter of 2014 on pace with the first three quarters to surpass the annual issuance record, according to Fitch Ratings in its latest Global CLO Market Quarterly. Fifty-six U.S. CLOs and 11 European CLOs priced during the final quarter of 2014.

In addition to issuance trends, Fitch highlights its offering, on a trial-published basis, and credit opinions for unrated loan borrowers. Approximately 33% of loans held in U.S. CLOs rated by Fitch have a credit opinion that is used in the rating analysis of the CLO notes.

Fitch also comments on currency swaps for CLO notes, currency hedging for assets in European CLOs, and Mid-Cap lending liquidity concerns in European CLOs.

Fitch's latest 'Global CLO Market Quarterly' newsletter is available at 'www.fitchratings.com' or by clicking on the above link.