CAM Investment Grade Weekly Insights

Spreads moved tighter throughout the week.  The Bloomberg Barclays US Corporate Index closed the week of May 15 at an OAS of 208 after closing the prior week at 212.  Through Friday, the index total return for the year was +0.72%.

The primary market again remained en fuego as borrowers rushed to stock their coffers with liquidity.  Over $60 billion in new debt was priced this past week according to data compiled by Bloomberg.  So far more than $156 billion has priced during the month of May.  It seems that the Memorial Day Holiday is the only thing that can slow the pace of issuance at this point.

According to data compiled by Wells Fargo, inflows for the week of May 7-13 were +$6.2bln which brings the year-to-date total to -$74.6bln.  This extends the 6-week steak of inflows to $35bln for investment grade funds.