Know More. Risk Better.

Planes, Trains and Loyalty Points: A&D and Transport in 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.   

Venezuela in Turmoil: U.S. Intervention and Market Risk

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. 

Credit Check: Lessons, Losses and Hot Takes

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. 

When Creditors Attack: 2026 Special Situations Outlook

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.
 

Utilities: The Great Data Center Overbuild

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.The team explores the rate payer protections utilities are implementing to mitigate overbuild risk, counterparty concerns when data centers move off balance sheet into special purpose vehicles, and credit quality implications across the sector. DeVries also discusses why independent power producers like Vistra may be better positioned than traditional utilities, and the potential for political intervention in capacity markets as electricity bills become a midterm election issue.
 

Strategy Global Market Update: 2026 Outlook

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. 

Autos Mythbuster: Under the Hood of Consumer Credit

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.

Euro Leveraged Finance: Friends & Foes

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.