In this episode of the Know More. Risk Better. podcast, host Winnie Cisar, Global Head of Strategy at CreditSights, speaks with Todd Duvick, Head of Autos, and Jim Williamson, Senior Autos Analyst covering Europe, about the global automotive sector outlook for 2026. They explore vehicle sales forecasts, with both US and Europe expecting flat to slightly higher volumes around 16 million units, constrained by affordability despite lower interest rates and new tax deductions. The conversation examines the deregulation wave, including Europe's pullback from the 2035 EV-only deadline to a 90% emissions reduction target and the US removal of consumer EV tax credits, saving GM $750 million annually. They analyze Chinese competition dynamics, with BYD's potential US manufacturing and government interventions to stabilize pricing. The discussion covers margin trajectories, with single-digit operating margins becoming the new normal, offset by declining capex as the investment super cycle ends. They also address credit rating outlooks, highlighting Ford's fallen angel risk, Honda's margin challenges, and Renault as a rising star candidate. The episode concludes with investment recommendations: VW senior bonds for Europe and Ford for tactical opportunities. Listen now for expert insights on automotive credit positioning.

In this episode of the Know More. Risk Better. podcast, host Zachary Griffiths speaks with Hunter Martin, Head of Media and Cable, and Davis Hebert, Co-Head of High Yield Research and TMT, about the evolving media landscape and M&A activity in 2026. They dive deep into the Warner Brothers Discovery saga, analyzing Netflix's $83 billion bid versus Paramount's competing all-cash offer and the credit implications for bondholders. The conversation explores the broader consolidation wave in cable networks, with companies like Versant trading at four times EBITDA and the potential for private equity involvement. They also discuss the sports landscape, examining cord cutting trends, YouTube TV's new skinny bundles, and how NFL and NBA rights are reshaping the pay TV ecosystem. The episode concludes with insights on broadcast TV deregulation, including the Nexstar-Tegna merger and its impact on the high yield market. Listen now to gain expert perspectives on media sector credit views and strategic positioning opportunities for 2026.

In this episode of the Know More. Risk Better. podcast, host Winnie Cisar speaks with Matt Woodruff about the outlook for aviation, defense, and transportation as markets face a challenging start to the year. They discuss airline demand, pricing pressures, and the future of loyalty programs, as well as aircraft supply chain issues, lessor trends, and industry consolidation. The conversation then shifts to defense spending and geopolitical risks that could shape credit markets. The episode concludes with insights on rail M&A and its implications for investors. Listen now to gain sector-specific credit views and strategic ideas to position your portfolio for 2026.   

Kicking off our first episode of 2026, Know More. Risk Better. explores the political and economic fallout following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, examining scenarios for regime change, US intervention, and market reactions. Zachary Griffiths and Conor Beakey dive into Venezuela’s oil sector challenges, sanctions relief prospects, and the broader implications of US policy in Latin America, including risks to regional stability and historical context for interventions. Gain timely analysis and actionable insights for investors seeking to understand evolving geopolitical risks and opportunities in emerging markets. 

This week on "Know More. Risk Better." features host Winnie Cisar, global head of strategy at CreditSights, and Zachary Griffiths, Head of IG & Macro Strategy, as they reflect on a turbulent 2025 in US credit markets and preview the landscape for 2026. The conversation dives into defining moments of the year, lessons learned, and the persistent impact of technicals and liquidity on market resilience. 

Winnie and Zach tackle the complexities of forecasting interest rates, the impact of monetary policy surprises, and the effects of tariffs and trade policy on investment grade corporates, while debating new issue supply, the dynamics between high yield and broadly syndicated loans, and looming refinancing risks. Additional highlights include a candid lightning round on private credit, covenant quality, and AI CapEx, as well as a discussion on the importance of risk assessment and the paradigm shift in market behavior post-pandemic. This episode offers key insights for navigating a complex, late-cycle credit environment heading into 2026. 

Season 9, Episode 22

This week on "Know More. Risk Better." features host Winnie Cisar along with Mark Lightner, for a comprehensive review of the 2026 Special Situations Outlook. The conversation examines the liability management transaction landscape, highlighting how creditor-on-creditor dynamics remained largely unchanged in 2025 despite the landmark Serta decision.

The team explores the emerging antitrust challenge to creditor cooperation agreements, with two recent lawsuits (Selecta and Altice USA) alleging federal antitrust violations and seeking treble damages. Lightner discusses why this represents "the most important issue going into 2026" and how it could fundamentally alter the collaborative approach to restructurings. The discussion also covers the high-stakes Monsanto litigation heading to the Supreme Court, which could determine whether the $40 billion debt company faces bankruptcy over Roundup-related claims.

Season 9, Episode 21

This week on "Know More. Risk Better." features host Zachary Griffiths along with Andy DeVries, for a data center deep dive following the Edison Electric Institute investor conference. The conversation examines the supply-demand disconnect in data center capacity, with utilities committing to approximately 100 gigawatts of new capacity by 2030 against third-party estimates indicating only 50 gigawatts of actual demand.

This week “Know More. Risk Better.” delivers a comprehensive 2026 Global Strategy Outlook, featuring expert analysis across US, European, Emerging Markets, and APAC credit sectors. CreditSights Global Strategy team opens with a review of macro and policy trends, including US growth slowdown, Fed rate cut trajectory, proactive ECB action, and regional fiscal stimulus. Speakers examine credit fundamentals, spread forecasts, and sector performance, highlighting drivers such as labor market fragility, tariff volatility, and AI-driven issuance.  

The team discusses implications for investment grade, high yield, and leveraged finance, as well as EM sovereign and local currency bonds, outlining risks and opportunities for investors. Best practices in sector allocation, quality bias, and diversification are emphasized as the market navigates technical shifts, supply pressures, and evolving global risks. Panelists conclude with actionable insights and 2026 “bingo card” scenarios, stressing the importance of fundamentals, positioning, and agility for credit market participants. 

This week on "Know More. Risk Better." brings together hosts Winnie Cisar and Zachary Griffiths along with Peter Simon, Todd Duvick, and Jory Eisenberg for an "Autos Mythbuster" edition examining auto loan performance, consumer credit health, and whether rising repossession rates signal broader systemic risk. The team explores the bifurcation in consumer credit by income tier, the backward-looking nature of current delinquency and repo data, and why 2022 vintage loans have proven particularly problematic due to aggressive post-COVID origination, elevated vehicle prices, and deteriorating affordability for lower-income consumers.

Peter and Todd discuss diverging trends at CarMax and Carvana, regional variations in auto loan performance, and the impact of extraordinary vehicle price depreciation on underwater loans. The team analyzes new and used car affordability challenges, tariff impacts on vehicle pricing, Ford and GM's profit-driven strategies, and the stabilization of competitive dynamics in the auto sector. They examine the ABS market's role in auto lending, loan-to-value considerations, and the minimal exposure of larger banks to subprime auto risk. This insightful discussion provides valuable context for credit analysts, investors, and market participants seeking to understand consumer credit trends, auto sector dynamics, and risk management in today's economy.

This week on "Know More. Risk Better." brings together host Logan Miller along with Luke Millar for a comprehensive analysis of the European leveraged finance landscape, examining 2025 market performance, primary market dynamics, and the outlook for 2026. The discussion covers record issuance volumes driven by refinancing, sector performance in chemicals and energy, and increased dividend recap transactions due to muted LBO activity.  

Logan and Luke examine widening triple C spreads, recent market disruptions affecting sentiment, and the impact of high first-call premiums on refinancing. They also assess CLO demand via warehouse data, potential growth in M&A and sponsor activity, and Europe’s capacity for large LBOs post-EA deal. Additional topics include the 2026-2028 maturity wall, US firms issuing in euros for cheaper funding (reverse Yankees), and the rise of private credit as a significant capital source. This essential discussion provides strategic insights to navigate refinancing waves, re-leveraging trends, and capital structure optimization in today's complex European credit markets.