Private credit Why CLO Equities - Market Trends and Investor Perceptions

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February 10, 2026

As institutional investors increasingly seek diversified sources of yield and income, collateralized loan obligation (CLO) equity has emerged as a potentially attractive asset class. With over $1 trillion in outstanding US CLOs and significant growth in Europe, investors are gaining a deeper understanding of the benefits CLO equity can offer. These can include competitive quarterly income, attractive front-ended return profiles, and diversification advantages compared to private equity and other fixed income strategies.

In this featured discussion, we share insights on how CLO equity can enhance pension plan portfolios, address common misconceptions, and explore how sophisticated investors are integrating this asset class to complement their broader investment strategies.

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Source:

Global Research, Intex Deal universe based on BofA reporting data as of August 27, 2025. Default Rate Based on Pitchbook LCD, Morningstar LSTA Us Leveraged Loan Index. *No data applicable for 2009. Median IRR data shown after one full year of performance with current data reflecting deals closed prior to year end 2023. Past performance does not predict future returns. Used with permission. Excludes CLOs with less than 2 cashflows to equity. Distributions are computed assuming equity issued at par. Deal universe includes reinvesting and amortizing deals. 2025 payments are annualized based on reported deals. Median distribution based on 2011- August 2025, with 2025 annualized based on existing distributions.

Deutsche Bank & IntexCalc as of 19 August 2025. Total of 539 CLOs. Excludes CLOs with less than 3 cashflows to equity. 2025 payments are annualized based on current reported data. Median annual distribution based on 2013-2025, median quarterly distribution based on 2017-2025. Past performance does not predict future returns. Used with permission.

All data sourced to Invesco unless otherwise indicated. As of September 30, 2025.

Investment risks

Investments in private credit and private debt—including leveraged loans, middle market loans, mezzanine debt, and second liens—are speculative and involve significant risks. These securities are generally illiquid, lack a secondary market, and may need to be held to maturity, which can result in liquidity constraints and difficulty exiting positions. Borrowers often have high leverage, increasing default risk, particularly in adverse economic or interest rate environments. Competitive pressures and excess capital may lead to weaker underwriting standards, raising credit risk and reducing potential recoveries. Private market investments also carry risks related to limited transparency, higher fees and expenses, longer investment horizons, and regulatory considerations. Additionally, these securities may be sold or redeemed at values different from the original investment amount and are considered to have speculative characteristics similar to high-yield securities. Issuers are more vulnerable to changes in economic conditions than higher-grade issuers, and investors may face liquidity strain from capital calls during periods of market stress. These factors can materially impact investment performance and principal value.

Structured finance securities such as Collateralized Loan Obligations (CLOs) entail a variety of unique risks. The performance of a CLO is affected by a variety of factors, including its priority in the capital structure of the issuer thereof, the availability of any credit enhancement, the level and timing of payments and recoveries on and the characteristics of the underlying receivables, loans or other assets that are being securitized, remoteness of those assets from the originator or transferor, the adequacy of and ability to realize upon any related collateral and the capability of the servicer of the securitized assets. Highly rated tranches of CLO Debt Securities may be downgraded, and in stressed market environments, even highly rated tranches of CLO Debt Securities may experience losses due to defaults in the underlying loan collateral, the disappearance of the subordinated/equity tranches, market anticipation of defaults, as well as negative market sentiment with respect to CLO securities as an asset class.

All material presented is compiled from sources believed to be reliable and current, but accuracy cannot be guaranteed. This is not to be construed as an offer to buy or sell any financial instruments and should not be relied upon as the sole factor in an investment making decision. As with all investments there are associated inherent risks. This should not be considered a recommendation to purchase any investment product. This does not constitute a recommendation of any investment strategy for a particular investor. Investors should consult a financial professional before making any investment decisions if they are uncertain whether an investment is suitable for them. Please obtain and review all financial material carefully before investing.

United States

Issued in the US by Invesco Senior Secured Management, Inc., 225 Liberty Street, New York, NY10281, USA. Invesco Senior Secured Management, Inc. is an investment adviser; it provides investment advisory services to individual and institutional clients and does not sell securities.