🌍 **PIMCO: Leveraged Finance Splits in Two — High Yield Strengthens While Software-Heavy Loans Show Cracks**

PIMCO's Lotfi Karoui flags a widening divide in credit markets.
• High yield bonds are stronger than their own history — BB-rated share hit a record **54%**, versus just 30% in 2010.
• Leveraged loans and direct lending look shakier: loans' BB share fell to **28%**, down from a post-GFC peak of 45%.
• Direct lending AUM has grown **several-fold** since 2016 as excess capital chasing limited deals weakened underwriting.
• Software — the largest sector in both loans and direct lending — is the key stress channel, with CLO CCC buckets nearing the **7%** danger threshold.

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