OREANDA-NEWS. February 16, 2015. Fitch Ratings has affirmed Babson Euro CLO 2014-1 B.V., as follows:

EUR201.25m Class A-1 notes: 'AAAsf'; Outlook Stable
EUR30m Class A-2 notes: 'AAAsf'; Outlook Stable
EUR20.5m Class B-1 notes: 'AAsf'; Outlook Stable
EUR30m Class B-2 notes: 'AAsf'; Outlook Stable
EUR22.5m Class C notes: 'Asf'; Outlook Stable
EUR19m Class D notes: 'BBBsf'; Outlook Stable
EUR31m Class E notes: 'BBsf'; Outlook Stable
EUR14.5m Class F notes: 'B-sf; Outlook Stable

Babson Euro CLO 2014-1 B.V. is an arbitrage cash flow collateralised loan obligation. Net proceeds from the issuance of the notes were used to purchase a EUR412.5m portfolio of European leveraged loans and bonds. The portfolio is managed by Babson Capital Management (UK) Limited, formerly known as Babson Capital Europe Limited. The reinvestment period is scheduled to end in 2018.

KEY RATING DRIVERS
The affirmation reflects the transaction's performance, which is in line with Fitch's expectations. Since closing, all notes have experienced marginal increases in credit enhancement due to par building.

The transaction went effective as of August 2014 and will remain in its reinvestment period until 2018, during which the manager can purchase and sell assets as long as collateral quality tests, portfolio profile tests and coverage tests are satisfied or if failing, maintained or improved. Currently all coverage and portfolio profile tests are passing. An increase in the weighted average rating factor (WARF) has been offset by increases in the weighted average spread, as reflected in the choice of matrix point, which had moved as of January 2015 from the matrix point at the effective date. The trigger levels for the WARF moved to 36.0, up from 35.0, for the weighted average spread (WAS) to 4.5%, up from 4.25% and for the weighted average recovery rate (WARR) to 62.8, up from 62.0. The weighted average coupon (WAC) trigger remained at a minimum of 6.5%. All covenant tests are passing at the current matrix point with the WARF at 35.03, the WAS 4.62%, the WARR 64.6 and the WAC at 8.92%.

The majority of the assets are rated in the 'B' category and are well diversified with 137 assets from 111 obligors. The largest industry is chemicals with 11.3%, followed by food, beverage and tobacco, as well as healthcare, both below 9%. The largest country exposure is to Germany with just below 20%, followed by the US with 17% and the UK, France and Netherlands with just below 12%. European peripheral exposure is represented by Spain and Italy and remains just below 9% with a maximum allowed exposure of 10%. There are 4.5% of assets rated 'CCC' by Fitch in the portfolio.

RATING SENSITIVITIES
As the loss rates for the current portfolio are below those modelled for the stress portfolio, the sensitivities shown in the new issue report still apply for this transaction. Detailed sensitivity analysis is available in the new issue report dated 15 April 2014 at www.fitchratings.com.