Alcentra European Fltng Rate Inc Fd Portfolio Update (3828H)

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RNS Number : 3828H

Alcentra European Fltng Rate Inc Fd

12 March 2018

Alcentra European Floating Rate Income Fund Limited

Market Commentary

The first two weeks of February saw a spike in equity market volatility and although loans were largely unaffected, High Yield markets did see some selling pressure during this period. High Yield bonds finished the month down -0.70% in Europe and -0.93% in the US[1]. The Credit Suisse Western

European Leveraged Loan Index ("CS WELLI") (hedged to GBP) returned +0.21% for the month, so still in positive territory despite the generic financial market weakness[2].

Some of the resilient loan market performance is down to a continuing strong bid from the CLOs where the new issue market is being supported by global demand for AAAs. A low print of 68bps was seen for CLO AAAs in February, which allows for the CLO arbitrage to keep working even though loan margins have been coming down for the past 18 months[3].

European loan issuance remained strong during the month and is tracking well ahead of last year at EUR27.4bn year-to-date (versus EUR17.5bn for year-to-date 2017)[4]. Notable new deal launches included

EUR3.9bn of debt supporting Flora Food Group, the margarines business being bought by KKR from Unilever. There were also EUR2.4bn of loans launched for a refinancing of Action, the discount retailer[5].

Portfolio Update

Within the Fund the top performing credit was up 7.5% following positive market reaction to a creditor friendly refinancing proposal. The worst performing credits were small positions in High Yield bonds that were weaker with the overall market (-1% to -2.2%).

ENDS.

For further information please contact:

Alcentra Limited

   Simon Perry                            [phone] 

Factsheet

An accompanying factsheet which includes the information above as well as wider commentary on the investments made by the Fund can be found on the Fund's website www.aefrif.com.

Background Information

Alcentra European Floating Rate Income Fund Limited, a Guernsey Authorised Closed-Ended Collective Investment Scheme, regulated by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission and listed on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange invests predominantly in senior secured loans and senior secured bonds issued by European corporates and targets returns (net of fees and expenses) of 7% to 10% per annum. The Fund targets a dividend yield of 5.5 pence per GBP1.00 issue price of the initial offering of shares in the Fund for the first full year of investment, paid quarterly.

Important Notices

Neither the contents of the Company's website nor the contents of any website accessible from hyperlinks on the Company's website (or any other website) is incorporated into, or forms part of, this announcement.

This report is aimed at existing investors in the fund and has not been approved by any competent regulatory authority.

The information contained in this document is given as at the date of its publication (unless otherwise marked) and is based on past performance. Past performance is not a guide to future performance and the value of investments and investment value can go down as well as up. The future performance of the Fund will depend on numerous factors which are subject to uncertainty. Including changes in market conditions and interest rates and exchange rates and in response to other economic, political or financial developments, investment return and principal value of your investment will fluctuate, so that when your investment is sold, the amount you receive could be less than what you originally invested. Past or current yields are not indicative of future yields.

This document does not contain any representations, does not constitute or form part of any solicitation of any offer to sell or invitation to purchase any securities of the Fund, nor shall it or any part of it or the fact of its distribution form the basis of or be relied upon in connection with any contract therefor, and does not constitute a recommendation regarding the securities of the Fund. Nothing in this document should be construed as a profit or dividend forecast.

This document includes statements that are, or may be deemed to be, "forward-looking statements". These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements typically containing words such as "believes", "considers", "intends", "expects", "anticipates", "targets", "estimates", "will", "may", or "should" and words of similar import. The forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, assumptions and expectations of future performance and market development of Alcentra Limited ("Alcentra"), taking into account information currently available and made as at the date of this document. These can change as a result of many possible events or factors, not all of which are known or within Alcentra's control. If a change occurs, the Fund's business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations may vary materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Alcentra qualifies any and all of the forward-looking statements by these cautionary factors. Please keep this cautionary note in mind while reading this document.

An investment in the Fund is suitable only for investors who are capable of evaluating the merits and risks of such an investment and who have sufficient resources to be able to bear losses (which may equal the whole amount invested) that may result from such an investment. An investment in the Fund should constitute part of a diversified investment portfolio. Accordingly, typical investors in the Fund are expected to be sophisticated and/or professional investors who understand the risks involved in investing in the Fund.

Alcentra gives no undertaking to provide recipients of this document with access to any additional information, or to update this document or any additional information, or to correct any inaccuracies in it which may become apparent including in relation to any forward-looking statements. The distribution of this document shall not be deemed to be any form of commitment on the part of Alcentra to proceed with any transaction.

This document is issued by Alcentra Limited, which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority and whose registered address is at 160 Queen Victoria Street, London, United Kingdom, EC4V 4LA.

BNY Mellon is the corporate brand of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation and may also be used as a generic term to reference the Corporation as a whole or its various subsidiaries generally.

(c) 2017 The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation. All rights reserved. Trademarks and logos belong to their respective owners.

[1] S&P Global Market Intelligence, LCD Global View, 5 March 2018

[2] Credit Suisse Western European Leveraged Loan Index, hedged to GBP, 28 February 2018

[3] S&P LCD News, European syndicated AAA CLO spreads show signs of widening, 23 February 2018

[4] S&P Global Market Intelligence, LCD European Playbook, 1 March 2018

[5] S&P Global Market Intelligence, LCD European Playbook, 1 March 2018

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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March 12, 2018 05:28 ET (09:28 GMT)