RBS put a €620 million portfolio of loans up for sale at the beginning of the month (although this was later reduced to €440 million when some of the assets were revealed to be subject to a lock-up). The effect of such a bid list on a market still licking its wounds after the Icelandic bank collapse was inevitable – average bids hit new lows of early 60s.
"The Icelandic banks financed €2 billion through total return swaps [TRS] and the secondary market fell 20 points in a month after their collapse – €2 billion TRS positions were dropped on the market in a week," grumbles a CLO manager. "Even assuming this is the right level, it is hugely technical." Hopes that the market is approaching the end of the technical cycle but the beginning of the fundamental cycle could be premature if more forced selling emerges in the dying weeks of 2008.
| "There is a meaningful amount |
The situation is increasingly frustrating for CLO managers as the confines of most vehicles prohibit them from buying loans below 85.
