Q2 US Leveraged Finance Survey: Software, inflation remain in the crosshairs

The US-Iran war disrupted global energy markets in Q2, pushing oil prices higher, and inflation rose, with annual CPI at 4.2% in May. For now, a tentative US-Iran peace deal has brought oil prices below $80 per barrel, though a permanent peace deal that would end the conflict is proving difficult to achieve. AI disruption still commands front-page attention, as credit-risk concerns for the Software sector remain in play. Will uncertainty persist in the third quarter, bringing more volatility across credit markets, particularly US leveraged loans? Will we see some return to stability, or will credit market conditions worsen? In PitchBook LCD's latest US Leveraged Finance Survey, we asked market participants to weigh in.

As always, LCD surveyed buy-side, sell-side, and advisory professionals to gauge market expectations for the months ahead. The full results of the Q2 2026 US Leveraged Finance Survey, conducted from June 16-29, are detailed below.

Inflation is the top concern for credit market participants — 43% believe inflation rates will be 3.5% or higher in the second half of the year.

Spread widening expectations retreated sharply, with just 25% of respondents anticipating wi

Fuente original: Yahoo Finance (https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/stocks/articles/q2-us-leveraged-finance-survey-135743914.html)