U.S. Leveraged Loans

Leveraged loans (also known as bank loans, broadly syndicated loans, senior secured loans, or floating rate loans) are floating rate debt instruments extended to companies rated below investment grade. Leveraged loans are typically senior in the capital structure and secured by the borrower’s assets.

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Approach

Through fundamental credit analysis and active portfolio management, Conning’s affiliate Octagon Credit Investors identifies attractive relative value opportunities across below investment-grade borrowers and industry sectors.

Current Income

Yields typically increase in tandem with rising rates, owing to leveraged loans’ floating interest coupon that resets every 1-3 months

Capital Preservation

Senior secured loans are typically secured by collateral and have the highest priority in receiving payments, ahead of both bondholders and preferred stockholders

Low Duration

Floating rate coupon helps shield principal from interest rate risk and results in low duration

Additional Portfolio Diversification

Leveraged loans complement a diversified portfolio and exhibit relatively low historical correlation to corporate bonds and equities

Experts

Gretchen Lam, CFA

Gretchen Lam, CFA is Octagon’s Chief Executive Officer, a member of Octagon’s Investment Committee, and a member of the Firm’s Board of Managers. Ms. Lam also serves on the Firm’s Executive Committee and is a member of the Firm’s ESG Committee. Prior to assuming the Chief Executive Officer position in 2024, Ms. Lam served as a Senior Portfolio Manager across various CLOs, separately managed accounts, and commingled funds. She also oversaw the Firm’s Structured Credit (CLO debt and equity) investment strategies. Ms. Lam joined Octagon in 1999; prior to becoming a Portfolio Manager in 2013, she oversaw Octagon’s investments in the software, business services, finance & insurance, paper & packaging, gaming & lodging, homebuilding, and real estate industries. She was also responsible for the Structured Credit exposure held in Octagon’s CLO vehicles. She earned a B.S. in Investments from Babson College, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude. Ms. Lam received her CFA Charter in 2006.

Gretchen Lam, CFA is Octagon’s Chief Executive Officer, a member of Octagon’s Investment Committee, and a member of the Firm’s Board of Managers. Ms. Lam also serves on the Firm’s Executive Committee and is a member of the Firm’s ESG Committee. Prior to assuming the Chief Executive Officer position in 2024, Ms. Lam served as a Senior Portfolio Manager across various C Read More...

Lauren Law

Lauren Law, CFA is a Senior Portfolio Manager for CLOs, separately managed accounts, and commingled funds at Octagon. Ms. Law is a member of Octagon’s Investment Committee and a member of the Firm’s Executive Committee. She also oversees the Firm’s Structured Credit (CLO debt and equity) investment strategies. Ms. Law joined Octagon in 2004; prior to becoming a Portfolio Manager in 2018, Ms. Law was an Investment Team Principal whose coverage areas included healthcare, industrials, financials, business services, and the Firm’s CLO debt and equity investments. She earned a B.S. from Babson College, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. Ms. Law received her CFA Charter in 2009.

Lauren Law, CFA is a Senior Portfolio Manager for CLOs, separately managed accounts, and commingled funds at Octagon. Ms. Law is a member of Octagon’s Investment Committee and a member of the Firm’s Executive Committee. She also oversees the Firm’s Structured Credit (CLO debt and equity) investment strategies. Ms. Law joined Octagon in 2004; prior to be Read More...

Michael Nechamkin

Michael Nechamkin is Octagon’s Chief Investment Officer and a Senior Portfolio Manager for CLOs, separately managed accounts, and commingled funds. Mr. Nechamkin is Chair of Octagon’s Investment Committee, a member of the Firm’s Board of Managers, and a member of the Firm’s Executive Committee. Prior to joining Octagon as a Portfolio Manager in 1999, Mr. Nechamkin was a Vice President in the High Yield Research Group at Bankers Trust. Prior to Bankers Trust, Mr. Nechamkin served as a Convertible Securities Analyst at Mabon Securities and as a Financial Consultant at Merrill Lynch. He earned a Bachelor and a Master of Talmudic Law, and holds an M.B.A from the University of Baltimore.

Michael Nechamkin is Octagon’s Chief Investment Officer and a Senior Portfolio Manager for CLOs, separately managed accounts, and commingled funds. Mr. Nechamkin is Chair of Octagon’s Investment Committee, a member of the Firm’s Board of Managers, and a member of the Firm’s Executive Committee. Prior to joining Octagon as a Portfolio Manager in 1999, Mr. Nechamkin was a Vice President in the High Yield Rese Read More...

Sean Gleason

Sean Gleason is a Portfolio Manager for CLOs and separately managed accounts at Octagon. Mr. Gleason is a member of Octagon's Investment Committee, a member of the Firm’s Executive Committee, and Co-Chair of the Firm’s ESG Committee. Mr. Gleason joined Octagon in 2010. Prior to becoming a Portfolio Manager in 2021, Mr. Gleason was an Investment Team Principal whose coverage areas included the healthcare, retail, gaming, lodging, consumer products, building products, and leisure industries. He earned a B.S. from Babson College, where he graduated Cum Laude.

Sean Gleason is a Portfolio Manager for CLOs and separately managed accounts at Octagon. Mr. Gleason is a member of Octagon's Investment Committee, a member of the Firm’s Executive Committee, and Co-Chair of the Firm’s ESG Committee. Mr. Gleason joined Octagon in 2010. Prior to becoming a Portfolio Manager in 2021, Mr. Gleason was an Investment Team Principal whose coverage areas inclu Read More...

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