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Default, Transition, and Recovery: The Lowest-Rated Entities Account For 92% Of Corporate Defaults So Far This Year

The 2020 global corporate default tally reached 155 as of Aug. 12. The defaulters since our last report were U.K.-based casual dining restaurant chain Pizzaexpress Financing 1 PLC, Switzerland-based offshore driller Transocean Ltd., and New York-based engineered products designer and manufacturer UTEX Industries Inc.

All three companies were rated 'CCC' or lower prior to default. Entities rated in the 'CCC' category or lower account for 92% of the defaults so far in 2020, illustrating the high default risk associated with this part of the ratings spectrum.

By industry, the oil and gas sector leads the 2020 default tally with 31, propelled by an elevated number of defaults from the U.S. and Europe, with 21 and six, respectively (see chart 1). All six oil and gas defaults in Europe were from U.K.-based oilfield service or drilling companies that have been deeply affected by sustained low oil prices. All six companies were rated in the 'CCC' rating category prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and defaulted due to missed interest payments or distressed exchanges.

Chart 1

image

This Week's Observations

  • At this point in 2019 and 2018, there had been 74 and 55 defaults, respectively.
  • Globally, the oil and gas sector leads the 2020 default tally with 31, followed by consumer products with 26 and media and entertainment with 23 (see chart 2).
  • Missed interest and principal payments are the leading cause of defaults so far in 2020, with 62, surpassing their 2016 year-end tally of 60 but behind the 2009 year-end tally of 85 (see chart 4).
  • By region, the U.S. leads the default tally with 102, followed by emerging markets and Europe with 22 each (see table 1).

Chart 2

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Chart 3

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Chart 4

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Chart 5

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Table 1

U.S. Leads 2020 Year-To-Date Default Tally With 102
Global corporate default summary
Region 12-month trailing speculative-grade default rate (%) 2020 year-to-date default tally 2019 year-to-date default tally 2019 default tally Weakest links tally
U.S. 5.9* 102 52 78 432
Emerging markets 2.8 22 11 22 51
Europe 3.5* 22 8 15 100
Other developed 5.1 9 3 3 28
Global 4.4 155 74 118 611
Notes: Other developed region consists of Australia, Canada, Japan, and New Zealand. Default counts may include confidentially rated issuers. *Trailing-12-month default rates from July 31, 2019-July 31, 2020, are preliminary and subject to change. Year-to-date data as of Aug. 12, 2020. Weakest link data as of June 8, 2020. Sources: S&P Global Ratings Research and S&P Global Market Intelligence's CreditPro®.

Table 2

The 2020 Global Corporate Default Tally Jumps To 155
Date Parent company Country Subsector To From Reason
1/2/2020

Constellis Holdings LLC

U.S. Aerospace and defense SD CC Missed principal payments
1/7/2020

TOMS Shoes LLC

U.S. Consumer products D CCC Distressed exchange
1/9/2020

Moran Foods LLC (SAL Acquisition Corp.)

U.S. Retail/restaurants SD CCC Missed interest payments
1/13/2020

Lecta S.A.

Luxembourg Forest products and building materials SD CC Missed interest payments
1/14/2020

Qinghai Provincial Investment Group Co. Ltd.

China Metals, mining, and steel D CCC- Missed interest payments
1/19/2020

Krystal Co. (The)

U.S. Retail/restaurants D NR Chapter 11
1/21/2020

Panda Green Energy Group Ltd.

Bermuda Utilities SD CC Distressed exchange
1/22/2020

Deoleo S.A.

Spain Consumer products SD CC Distressed exchange/ out-of-court restructuring
1/29/2020

Doncasters Group Ltd.

U.K. Capital goods SD CCC- Distressed exchange/ out-of-court restructuring
1/30/2020

Pinnacle Operating Corp.

U.S. Chemicals, packaging, and environmental services SD CCC Distressed exchange/ out-of-court restructuring
2/7/2020

Commercial Barge Line Co.

U.S. Transportation D CC Chapter 11
2/12/2020

RentPath LLC

U.S. Media and entertainment D NR Chapter 11
2/13/2020

The McClatchy Co.

U.S. Media and entertainment D CC Chapter 11
2/14/2020

Moby SpA

Italy Transportation SD CCC- Distressed exchange/ out-of-court restructuring
2/14/2020

NPC International Inc.

U.S. Retail/restaurants SD CCC- Missed interest payments
2/18/2020

Pier 1 Imports Inc.

U.S. Retail/restaurants D CCC- Chapter 11
2/21/2020

Tunghsu Group Co. Ltd.

China High technology SD CCC- Missed principal and interest payments
2/24/2020

VIP Cinema Holdings Inc.

U.S. Consumer products D CCC- Chapter 11
2/25/2020

Calfrac Well Services Ltd.

Canada Oil and gas SD CC Distressed exchange
2/28/2020

PFS Holding Corp.

U.S. Consumer products SD CCC- Missed interest payments
3/3/2020

Pioneer Energy Services Corp.

U.S. Oil and gas D CCC- Chapter 11
3/9/2020

Bluestem Brands Inc.

U.S. Retail/restaurants D NR Chapter 11
3/12/2020

Ascena Retail Group Inc. (A)

U.S. Consumer products SD CCC Distressed exchange
3/12/2020

Optimas OE Solutions Holding LLC

U.S. Capital goods SD CCC+ Distressed exchange
3/12/2020 Confidential Confidential Metals, mining, and steel SD CCC- Confidential
3/16/2020

Frontier Communications Corp.

U.S. Telecommunications SD CCC- Missed interest payments
3/17/2020

Internap Corp.

U.S. Telecommunications D CCC+ Chapter 11
3/19/2020

Geo Energy Resources Ltd.

Singapore Metals, mining, and steel SD B- Distressed exchange
3/20/2020

Grain Insurance Co. JSC

Kazakhstan Insurance D B Missed interest payments
3/27/2020

Optiv Inc.

U.S. High technology SD CCC+ Distressed exchange
3/27/2020

Yida China Holdings Ltd.

Cayman Islands Homebuilders/real estate companies SD CC Distressed exchange
4/1/2020

PGX Holdings Inc.

U.S. Media and entertainment D CCC Missed principal and interest payments
4/1/2020

Steak n Shake Inc. (Biglari Holdings Inc.)

U.S. Retail/restaurants SD CCC- Distressed exchange
4/1/2020

Whiting Petroleum Corp.

U.S. Oil and gas D CCC+ Chapter 11
4/2/2020

KCA DEUTAG Alpha Ltd.

U.K. Oil and gas SD CCC+ Missed interest payments
4/3/2020

CDS Group

Canada Media and entertainment D CCC- Missed principal and interest payments
4/3/2020

New Millennium Holdco Inc

U.S. Health care D CC Missed principal and interest payments
4/6/2020

BW Homecare Holdings LLC

U.S. Health care SD CCC Distressed exchange
4/6/2020

FE Investments Ltd. (FE Investments Group Ltd.)

New Zealand Finance companies D CCC Missed interest payments
4/7/2020

Gavilan Resources LLC

U.S. Oil and gas D CCC- Missed interest payments
4/7/2020

Jason Inc.

U.S. Capital goods SD CCC Missed interest payments
4/7/2020

Quorum Health Corp.

U.S. Health care D CCC- Chapter 11
4/7/2020

Speedcast International Ltd.

Australia Telecommunications D CCC Missed principal and interest payments
4/8/2020

North American Lifting Holdings Inc.

U.S. Capital goods SD CCC- Missed interest payments
4/8/2020

SPR Holdings LLC

U.S. Oil and gas D CCC+ Missed interest payments
4/9/2020 Confidential Confidential Media and entertainment SD CC Confidential
4/10/2020

Vestel Elektronik Sanayi Ve Ticaret A.S.

Turkey High technology SD CCC+ Distressed exchange
4/10/2020 Confidential Confidential Media and entertainment D CCC- Confidential
4/12/2020

Pace Industries Inc.

U.S. Consumer products D NR Chapter 11
4/14/2020

LSC Communications Inc.

U.S. Media and entertainment D CC Chapter 11
4/14/2020

Libbey Inc.

U.S. Consumer products SD CCC Missed interest payments
4/14/2020

NMC Health PLC

U.A.E. Health care D CCC- Missed interest payments
4/15/2020

Intelsat S.A.

Luxembourg Telecommunications SD CCC+ Missed interest payments
4/16/2020

O1 Properties Ltd.

Cyprus Homebuilders/real estate companies D CC Missed interest payments
4/16/2020

J.C. Penney Co. Inc.

U.S. Retail/restaurants D CCC Missed interest payments
4/17/2020

Mister Car Wash Holdings Inc.

U.S. Retail/restaurants SD CCC+ Distressed exchange
4/17/2020

Ultra Petroleum Corp.

U.S. Oil and gas D CCC- Missed interest payments
4/21/2020

Engine Holding LLC

U.S. Media and entertainment D CCC- Missed principal and interest payments
4/22/2020

The Neiman Marcus Group LLC

U.S. Retail/restaurants D CCC- Missed interest payments
4/23/2020

Northwest Acquisitions ULC

Canada Metals, mining, and steel D CCC+ Foreign Bankruptcy
4/24/2020

Diamond Offshore Drilling Inc.

U.S. Oil and gas D CC Chapter 11
4/24/2020

Enjoy S.A.

Chile Media and entertainment D B- Bankruptcy
4/28/2020

Envision Healthcare Corp. (Envision Healthcare Holdings Inc.)

U.S. Health care SD CC Distressed exchange
4/29/2020

CSM Bakery Solutions LLC

U.S. Consumer products SD CCC Distressed exchange
4/30/2020

Virgin Australia Holdings Ltd.

Australia Transportation D CC Chapter 15
5/4/2020

J. Crew Group Inc.

U.S. Consumer products D CCC- Chapter 11
5/5/2020

Evergreen Skills Lux S.ar.l.

Luxembourg High technology D CCC- Missed interest payments
5/6/2020 Confidential Confidential Media and entertainment D CCC Confidential
5/6/2020

Techniplas LLC

U.S. Capital goods D NR Chapter 11
5/7/2020

Hertz Global Holdings Inc.

U.S. Transportation SD CCC- Missed principal and interest payments
5/8/2020

Petra Diamonds Ltd.

Bermuda Metals, mining, and steel D CCC+ Missed interest payments
5/11/2020

Avianca Holdings S.A.

Panama Transportation D CCC- Chapter 11
5/11/2020

Yihua Enterprise (Group) Co. Ltd.

China Consumer products SD CCC Missed interest payments
5/12/2020

Fieldwood Energy LLC

U.S. Oil and gas D CCC Missed interest payments
5/12/2020

Revlon Inc.

U.S. Consumer products SD CC Distressed exchange
5/13/2020

Outerstuff LLC

U.S. Consumer products SD CCC Missed principal and interest payments
5/14/2020 Confidential Confidential Media and entertainment SD CCC- Confidential
5/15/2020

Extraction Oil & Gas Inc. (Extraction Oil & Gas Holdings LLC)

U.S. Oil and gas D CC Missed interest payments
5/15/2020

Forum Energy Technologies Inc. (A)

U.S. Oil and gas SD CC Distressed exchange
5/17/2020 Confidential Confidential Transportation D NR Confidential
5/19/2020

Aeropuertos Argentina 2000 S.A.

Argentina Utilities SD CC Distressed exchange
5/19/2020

Takko Fashion S.a.r.l.

Luxembourg Consumer products SD CCC+ Missed interest payments
5/19/2020 Confidential Confidential Capital goods D NR Confidential
5/20/2020

Downstream Development Authority

U.S. Media and entertainment SD CCC Missed principal payments
5/20/2020

Equinox Holdings Inc.

U.S. Media and entertainment SD CCC Distressed exchange
5/21/2020

Akorn Inc.

U.S. Health care D CC Chapter 11
5/21/2020

Centennial Resource Development Inc.

U.S. Oil and gas SD CC Distressed exchange
5/21/2020

Guitar Center Inc. (Guitar Center Holdings Inc.)

U.S. Retail/restaurants SD CCC Distressed exchange
5/25/2020

Travelex Holdings Ltd.

U.K. Media and entertainment SD CC Missed interest payments
5/26/2020

Unit Corp.

U.S. Oil and gas D CC Chapter 11
5/27/2020

Latam Airlines Group S.A.

Chile Transportation D CCC- Chapter 11
5/27/2020

Tuesday Morning Corp.

U.S. Retail/restaurants D NR Chapter 11
6/2/2020

Grupo Famsa, S.A.B. de C.V.

Mexico Retail/restaurants SD CCC- Missed principal and interest payments
6/2/2020

Noble Corp. PLC (A)

U.K. Oil and gas SD CCC- Distressed exchange
6/3/2020

Valaris plc

U.K. Oil and gas D CCC- Missed interest payments
6/4/2020

California Pizza Kitchen Inc.,

U.S. Retail/restaurants D CCC- Missed interest payments
6/5/2020

24 Hour Fitness Worldwide Inc.

U.S. Media and entertainment D CCC+ Missed interest payments
6/5/2020

APC Automotive Technologies Intermediate Holdings, LLC

U.S. Automotive D CCC Chapter 11
6/5/2020 Confidential Confidential Consumer products SD CCC- Confidential
6/5/2020 Confidential Confidential Consumer products SD CC Confidential
6/10/2020

RGIS Holdings LLC

U.S. Consumer products D CCC- Missed interest payments
6/10/2020 Confidential Confidential Media and entertainment D CCC- Confidential
6/11/2020 Confidential Confidential Media and entertainment D CCC Confidential
6/15/2020

Calfrac Well Services Ltd. (B)

Canada Oil and gas D CCC- Missed interest payments
6/15/2020

Pyxus International Inc.

U.S. Consumer products D CCC- Chapter 11
6/15/2020

SM Energy Company

U.S. Oil and gas SD CC Distressed exchange
6/16/2020

Briggs & Stratton Corp.

U.S. Capital Goods SD CCC- Missed interest payments
6/16/2020

CSI Compressco LP

U.S. Midstream SD CC Distressed exchange
6/16/2020

Ferrellgas Partners L.P.

U.S. Midstream SD CC Missed principal payments
6/16/2020

Source Energy Services Ltd.

Canada Oil and gas D CCC- Missed interest payments
6/18/2020

Confidential

Confidential Retail/restaurants SD CCC Confidential
6/18/2020

ASP MCS Acquisition Corp.

U.S. Consumer products D CCC Missed interest payments
6/18/2020

Jo-ann Stores LLC (Jo-Ann Stores Holdings Inc)

U.S. Retail/restaurants SD CCC Distressed exchange
6/18/2020

Confidential

Confidential Homebuilders/real estate companies D CC Confidential
6/18/2020

Confidential

Confidential Retail/restaurants D CCC Confidential
6/19/2020

Chesapeake Energy Corp.

U.S. Oil and gas D CC Missed interest payments
6/19/2020

GK Holdings Inc.

U.S. Media and entertainment D CC Missed interest payments
6/23/2020

Boart Longyear Ltd.

Australia Metals, mining, and steel SD CC Distressed exchange
6/23/2020

Serta Simmons Bedding LLC

U.S. Consumer products SD CC Distressed exchange
6/23/2020

Summit Midstream Partners LP

U.S. Midstream SD CCC Distressed exchange
6/24/2020

GNC Holdings Inc.

U.S. Retail/restaurants D CC Chapter 11
6/25/2020

CEC Entertainment Inc.

U.S. Retail/restaurants D CC Chapter 11
6/25/2020

W&T Offshore Inc

U.S. Oil and gas SD CCC+ Distressed exchange
6/30/2020

Covia Holdings Corp (SCR-Sibelco NV)

U.S. Metals, mining, and steel D CCC+ Chapter 11
7/1/2020

California Resources Corp.

U.S. Oil and gas D CC Missed interest payments
7/1/2020

Grupo Aeromexico, S.A.B. de C.V.

Mexico Transportation D B- Chapter 11
7/1/2020

Grupo Posadas, S. A. B. de C. V.

Mexico Media and entertainment D CC Missed interest payments
7/2/2020

Denbury Resources Inc.

U.S. Oil and gas D CCC+ Missed interest payments
7/2/2020

Lonestar Resources U.S. Inc.,

U.S. Oil and gas D CCC- Missed interest payments
7/2/2020

Confidential

Confidential Media and entertainment SD CCC Confidential
7/2/2020

Tailored Brands Inc.,

U.S. Consumer products D CCC+ Missed interest payments
7/7/2020

Confidential

Confidential Homebuilders/real estate companies D CC Confidential
7/8/2020

PT Modernland Realty Tbk.

Indonesia Homebuilders/real estate companies SD CCC- Missed principal payments
7/10/2020

Tupperware Brands Corp.

U.S. Consumer products SD CC Distressed exchange
7/13/2020

Hi- Crush Inc.

U.S. Metals, mining, and steel D CC Chapter 11
7/16/2020

Chaparral Energy Inc.

U.S. Oil and gas D CCC- Missed interest payments
7/17/2020

Bruin E&P Partners, LLC

U.S. Oil and gas D CC Chapter 11
7/17/2020

Noble Corp. PLC (B)

U.K. Oil and gas D CCC- Missed interest payments
7/17/2020

Seadrill Partners LLC (Seadrill Ltd.)

Marshall Islands Oil and gas SD CCC Missed interest payments
7/20/2020

Confidential

Confidential Forest products and building materials SD CC Confidential
7/20/2020

Renfro Corp.

U.S. Consumer products SD CCC- Distressed exchange
7/22/2020

Global Eagle Entertainment Inc.

U.S. Telecommunications D CCC- Chapter 11
7/23/2020

Ascena Retail Group Inc. (B)

U.S. Consumer products D CCC- Chapter 11
7/23/2020

Lakeland Holdings LLC

U.S. Media and entertainment D CCC- Chapter 11
7/27/2020

Party City Holdings Inc. (PC Nextco Holdings LLC)

U.S. Retail/restaurants SD CC Distressed exchange
7/28/2020

CB Poly Investments LLC

U.S. Consumer products SD B- Distressed exchange
7/28/2020

Never Slip Topco Inc.

U.S. Consumer products D CCC Distressed exchange
7/30/2020

Confidential

Confidential Media and entertainment D CCC- Confidential
7/30/2020

Missouri TopCo Ltd.

U.K. Consumer products SD CCC- Distressed exchange
7/30/2020

Nostrum Oil and Gas PLC

U.K. Oil and gas SD CCC- Missed interest payments
8/3/2020

AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc.

U.S. Media and entertainment SD CC Distressed exchange
8/4/2020

Forum Energy Technologies Inc. (B)

U.S. Oil and gas SD CC Distressed exchange
8/6/2020

PIZZAEXPRESS FINANCING 1 PLC

U.K. Retail/restaurants D CC Missed interest payments
8/6/2020

Transocean Ltd.

Switzerland Oil and gas SD CCC Distressed exchange
8/10/2020

UTEX Industries Inc.

U.S. Oil and gas D CCC Missed interest payments
(B) designation indicates the issuer's second default for 2020. NR--Not rated. SD--Selective default. Data as of Aug. 12, 2020. Sources: S&P Global Ratings Research and S&P Global Market Intelligence’s CreditPro®.

Related Research

Default Studies

More analysis and statistics are available in our annual default studies, published on RatingsDirect:

Corporate (financial and nonfinancial)
Structured finance
U.S. public finance
Sovereign and international public finance

This report does not constitute a rating action.

Credit Markets Research:Nicole Serino, New York + 1 (212) 438 1396;
nicole.serino@spglobal.com
Sudeep K Kesh, New York (1) 212-438-7982;
sudeep.kesh@spglobal.com
Research Contributor:Shripati Pranshu, Mumbai;
shripati.pranshu@spglobal.com

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