Corporate default rate will ease in 2024 while remaining near its long-term average
Mar 13, 2024
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Exploring corporate default trends and distress exchanges in 2023, with a focus on regional shifts in North and Latin America. Predictions for a decline in default rate to 3.6% by 2024, influenced by rate cuts, private lending, and potential risks like inflation and energy shocks
Global default rate expected to decline to 3.6% by end of 2024 due to central banks easing policy rates.
Durable consumer goods sector had highest default rate in 2023 influenced by factors like higher funding costs and shifts in consumer spending.
Deep dives
Global Credit Market Insights for 2023
In the podcast, the focus is on the 2023 global credit market insights, highlighting 159 recorded defaults in the previous year, with an uptick excluding Russian defaults reaching 73%. The increase in defaults was driven by higher funding costs, tighter financing conditions, and lingering inflation. Notably, North America experienced a significant rise in defaults, accounting for two-thirds of global defaults in 2023.
Sector-Wise Default Trends and Forecast for 2024
The podcast discusses how the durable consumer goods sector had the highest default rate in 2023. This was influenced by factors such as higher funding costs, weak demand, and shifts in consumer spending post-pandemic. Looking ahead to 2024, the forecast suggests a gradual normalization of defaults, with a model predicting a decline in global speculative grade default rate from 5% to 3.6% by year end.
Risks and Outlook for Future Default Rates
The podcast delves into potential risks that could impact default rates, such as inflation acceleration leading to central banks raising rates, stress in the banking sector, and geopolitical tensions. Pessimistic forecasts project a moderate default rate of 7.4% or a severe rate of 11.8%. The discussion also highlights redefault risk post-distressed exchanges and the impact on subsequent defaults.