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John Atkins

Director, Managing Editor (bonds)

John has written about the financial markets for more than 20 years, including coverage of the high-grade corporate bond markets since 1993. Prior to joining LCD in May 2011, John wrote for Reuters and Thomson prior to their merger, as well as IDEAglobal.

Articles by John Atkins

X.AI sets sizes, boosts potential yield for $5B loan/bond offering

The fixed-rate term loan and the senior secured notes are now targeted at 12.5%, from the 12% area previously.
June 20, 2025

Quick Take: Oil & Gas loans buckle amid Israel-Iran conflict

In a recent note, JPMorgan raised the probability of a worst-case scenario for oil prices.
June 17, 2025

Leveraged loan issuers manage 2% earnings growth in Q1

Even so, coverage ratios slipped and leverage rose, a warning signal for credit quality as tariffs bite.
June 11, 2025

PE owners speed cash extractions as bond revival bolsters dividend recap wave

High-yield contributions to dividend recapitalizations are rising as spreads recover from the April tariff shocks.
May 30, 2025

Amid tariff turmoil, US high yield bond market turns to risk-off mode

April high-yield issuance hit a 17-year low for the month ($8.6 billion).
May 7, 2025

Quikrete stirs high-yield market with hefty M&A bond package

There hasn’t been a larger high-yield bond placement for M&A since Medline Industries inked $7 billion of bonds in September 2021.
January 30, 2025

Leveraged loan issuer earnings show strength in Q3

For leveraged loan issuers that file their results publicly, EBITDA was up 5% year to year in Q3.
December 12, 2024

High-yield bond market primed for late-year push

While reference rates remain higher since the September rate cut, would-be borrowers are still eyeing favorable cost trends this year.
November 13, 2024

High-yield bond issuance surges as Fed pivots

Buoyant market conditions continue to float many more boats than in years past.
October 11, 2024

US high-yield funds extend inflow streak

Fund valuations are climbing as the Fed pivots to rate cuts.
September 27, 2024