Origination, M&A, LBO

Americas Primary Market 2026 Outlook: Optimistic Mood Expected to Spur Leveraged Loan, HY Bond Primary Issuance; Favorable Conditions for M&A, LBO Dealmakers to Ignite Deal Flow

Reporting: Caroline Hagood, Katherine Schwartz, Michael Haley   Relevant Items: Americas Private Credit 2026 Outlook Americas Primary Market 2025 Wrap Americas Private Credit 2025 Review Primary Tracker Database Leveraged finance participants are entering 2026 with a more optimistic...

Published on Jan 29, 2026

US Direct Lending Rankings FY’25

Published on Jan 28, 2026

Americas Leveraged Finance Weekly: Primary Market Records Continued Buy-Side Demand During Shortened Holiday Week

Reporting: Caroline Hagood Market Overview Despite a short week after the market closed on Monday, Jan. 19, for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, primary issuance stayed busy as issuers continued to test strong demand for new paper. In total, Octus tracked 37 deals split between leveraged loans and...

Published on Jan 23, 2026

European direct lenders remain optimistic despite M&A slowdown, signs of stress

European direct lenders are starting 2026 in a positive mood. Despite a lack of new M&A to finance in 2025, the number of private credit deals increased 13% on 2024, hitting a total of 1,000 transactions. Octus has reported on a number of pulled and stalled auctions that would have likely been...

Published on Jan 22, 2026

Apollo-Led Investor Group in Advanced Talks to Buy Stake in AppsFlyer for $2B

Reporting: Paola Aurisicchio An Apollo-led group of investors is poised to enter exclusive talks to buy a stake in analytics company AppsFlyer for approximately $2 billion, according to sources. Apollo and Israel-based private equity firm Fortissimo Capital are looking to acquire a combined stake...

Published on Jan 20, 2026

Americas Leveraged Finance Weekly: Repricings Surge While New LBO Deals Test the Market

Reporting: Katherine Schwartz, Caroline Hagood Market Overview The primary market had a strong week, with a handful of new LBO deals coming to market, testing investor appetite for future financings this quarter. Octus covered 35 loan issuers that announced or priced $36.8 billion of loans. In...

Published on Jan 16, 2026

Americas Leveraged Finance Weekly: Primary Market Rings In 2026 With Early Buyout Activity Amid Refinancing Wave

Reporting: Caroline Hagood Market Overview The primary market kicked off 2026 with a steady wave of repricings and new issuance in the first full week after the holiday slowdown. Both loan and bond issuance were strong. Octus covered 21 loan issuers that announced or priced $30.2 billion of loans....

Published on Jan 9, 2026

Ares-Led Lender Group Arranges $835M Private Credit Loan for Warburg Pincus’ Acquisition of Raptor Technologies

Reporting: Michael Haley A lender group led by Ares has arranged an $835 million private credit package backing Warburg Pincus’ acquisition of school safety software developer Raptor Technologies from Thoma Bravo, according to sources. Raptor’s financing includes a $585 million term...

Published on Jan 7, 2026

2026 Distressed Outlook: Heated Debtor-Creditor Rivalry, More Change-of-Control Restructuring Due to Failed LMEs, Private Credit Workouts

Reporting: Harvard Zhang The year of 2026 is shaping up to be a tale of two themes: aggressive liability management exercise tactics, and a larger volume of owners tossing the keys to creditors or distressed sales. “What Altice USA (co-op litigation, deal away) and KIK Consumer...

Published on Jan 6, 2026

Travelsoft Plans €225M Unitranche Refi Alongside €100M ACF Raise With Incumbent Tikehau as Auction Proceeds

Reporting: Jihye Hwang Capza-backed and primarily founder-owned French travel software company Travelsoft is in talks with direct lenders, including incumbent Tikehau Capital, to refinance its existing debt and reload its M&A financing capacity with a €225 million unitranche, alongside a...

Published on Dec 29, 2025