How Does Investor Demand Affect CLO Creation, Firm Borrowing, and Investment?

39 Pages Posted: 25 Sep 2022 Last revised: 1 May 2023

See all articles by Abhishek Bhardwaj

Abhishek Bhardwaj

New York University (NYU)

Shan Ge

New York University (NYU) - Department of Finance

Saptarshi Mukherjee

Northeastern University

Date Written: August 14, 2022

Abstract

The collateralized loan obligation (CLO) market has grown drastically, with the amount outstanding rising from $100 Billion in 2005 to $650 Billion in 2020. We examine the effect of investors' demand on new CLO deal formation as well as on corporate borrowing and investment. We do so by using detailed data from insurance companies, which are the largest group of CLO investors. We present three main findings. First, when insurers experience favorable operating cash flows, they are more likely to invest in CLO deals, especially deals by CLO managers that they previously invested with. Second, when CLO managers are more exposed to insurers' favorable cash flows through past relationships, they are more likely to launch new CLO deals. Third, among borrowing firms, those more affected (through CLO managers) are more likely to receive new loans, as well as increase leverage and investment. Our results imply that investor demand affects CLO deal formation, as well as corporate borrowing and capital structure decisions. We also present evidence that insurers' aggregate demand for CLOs, proxied by their cash flows, is important for the growth of the CLO market segment that is exposed to insurers through past relationships.

Keywords: Collateralized Loan Obligation (CLO), Securitization, Insurance Companies, Corporate Borrowing, Loans, Capital Structure

JEL Classification: G22, G23, G32

Suggested Citation

Bhardwaj, Abhishek and Ge, Shan and Mukherjee, Saptarshi, How Does Investor Demand Affect CLO Creation, Firm Borrowing, and Investment? (August 14, 2022). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4218293

Abhishek Bhardwaj

New York University (NYU) ( email )

Bobst Library, E-resource Acquisitions
20 Cooper Square 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10003-711
United States

Shan Ge (Contact Author)

New York University (NYU) - Department of Finance ( email )

New York, NY
United States

Saptarshi Mukherjee

Northeastern University ( email )

360 Huntington Ave
409C Hayden Hall
Boston, MA Massachusetts 02115
United States
02115 (Fax)

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