Uncertainty in the BSL Market: What Now?

An In-depth discussion with Carlyle Partner, Lauren Basmadjian
This week on Levered Lines, host Steve Miller speaks with Carlyle’s Lauren Basmadjian to explore major themes shaping global liquid credit and CLO markets as 2026 unfolds. They examine platform evolution at Carlyle following substantial reinvestment reset activity and discuss expectations for deal flow amid heightened geopolitical uncertainty and a growing roster of large-scale transactions emerging in the pipeline. The dialogue highlights shifting dynamics between private credit and syndicated markets, relative funding costs, and how borrower migration continues to influence liquidity and capital availability. Additional focus areas include CLO spread behavior, discount-driven portfolio construction opportunities, transatlantic corporate performance trends, and differences in restructuring frameworks driving divergence in default rates. Key topics span the impact of software sector volatility, AI-driven competitive pressures and operational adoption inside investment teams, elevated but stable default environments aided by LME activity, steering committee participation strategy, covenant erosion, and guidance for early-career professionals navigating a rapidly evolving credit landscape.