Debtwired!
Debtwired!
ION Analytics
The restructuring podcast from the Debtwire editorial team.
Moelis restructuring co-heads discuss the evolution of distress, LMEs and Chapter 11 filings
In this episode of Debtwired!, Madalina Iacob speaks with Zul Jamal and Barak Klein, co-heads of U.S. Capital Structure Advisory at Moelis, about how restructuring has evolved over their 25-plus years in investment banking.They discuss the shift from lighter, less-secured capital structures to today’s heavily secured debt stacks, alongside the rising cost of Chapter 11, and how those developments have reshaped restructuring strategies and have made liability management exercises increasingly important. They underscore the importance of engaging early, often two to three years before a maturity wall or liquidity event, to preserve flexibility and improve outcomes. The conversation also covers the changing creditor base and current disruption in the software sector.Jamal and Klein share lessons from notable deals, including Carvana, while highlighting the role of culture, trust and flexibility in successful restructurings. They also address common mistakes, negotiation strategy, and advice for junior bankers entering the field.
Jul 7
50 min
'Shareholding as a service' in Germany
Elias Lambrianos, Managing Editor of Debtwire EMEA, sits down with Dr Tobias Moser, a German restructuring lawyer and partner at DMR Legal, to discuss the increasing popularity of Nordic bonds by German issuers, and the emergence of ‘Shareholding as a Service’ (ShaaS) as a corporate restructuring model on the German market.
Jun 18
18 min
Oaktree Capital's Olivia Guthorn on finding value in stressed healthcare credit, sizing AI risk, and lessons from two decades of opportunistic investing
In this episode, Olivia Guthorn, Managing Director in Oaktree's Opportunities Group, describes a credit market at all-time tights that appears to be looking through potentially significant macro risks, while meaningful dispersion builds underneath, particularly in healthcare IT and software. Olivia outlines Oaktree's cautious, highly selective approach to sectors exposed to AI disruption, focusing on businesses with durable characteristics such as proprietary data, strong customer integration, high switching costs, regulatory moats, and sufficient capital to invest in new technology. For healthcare, she draws a sharp distinction between provider IT and payer IT, with the former expected to be more insulated from AI risk and the latter being more exposed given the resources and incentive large national payers have to insource.Olivia discusses how policy changes including the One Big Beautiful Bill's impact on Medicaid reimbursement, potential ACA subsidy expiration, and a growing focus on fraud, waste, and abuse are driving dispersion across subsectors, with med devices and pharma looking relatively more attractive and Medicaid-exposed services remaining challenged. She also touches upon the growing focus on private credit and how the historical notion that private credit doesn't trade is being tested, with trading activity so far remaining limited and orderly but potentially accelerating if redemption pressures increase. She highlights that the next two to three years should represent a significant opportunity for sector-specialist, bottom-up investors in opportunistic credit like Oaktree.
May 26
39 min
Hilco’s Ian Fredericks discusses current forces reshaping retail distress
Debtwire reporter Kunyi Yang speaks with Hilco Global's Ian Fredericks on distressed trends amid 2026's macro turbulence - tariffs, oil prices, the Iran conflict, and what it all means for retail and consumer markets.
May 5
25 min
The Fossil restructuring, and getting creative outside of Chapter 11 with Weil
In a discussion with Sunny Singh and Gary Holtzer of Weil, host Andy Serbe raises the question of why companies might seek to avoid Chapter 11 based on current trends and systemic changes, how restructuring companies can avoid becoming debtors, and what can go wrong.
Mar 31
19 min
Gaming outlook for 2026 and beyond
I’m glad to be joined today by Jay Weinberger, managing director in Houlihan Lokey’s Financial Restructuring Group, where he has advised a number of North American mandates for gaming special situations like Ocean Resort Casino, formerly Revel, and Rivers Casino.
Mar 19
20 min
German restructurings: Kirkland's Christian Halasz on StaRUG's evolution
Kirkland & Ellis Partner Christian Halasz sits down with Debtwire's Europe's Senior Legal Analyst Dawn Grocock to discuss the evolution of Germany's StaRUG process, recognition hurdles, forum shopping to the UK and some issues arising in current German situations. (Rec. 2/27/26)
Mar 16
23 min
FTI Consulting Talks Consumer Products Group Trends, LMEs and GLP-1 influence
Robert "Bob" Del Genio, turnaround specialist at FTI Consulting has worked on special situations like Dean Foods, City Brewing and Hostess Brands.Today, he joins us at Debtwired to discuss what's challenges branded label and beverage companies are facing in the year ahead.
Mar 12
15 min
Inside middle-market direct lending with PGIM's Matthew Harvey
In this episode of Debtwired!, host Amelia Weitzman speaks with Matthew Harvey, Global Head of Middle Market Direct Lending, about the evolution and maturation of the direct lending market since the GFC.They explore improving M&A activity, underwriting discipline amid AI-driven disruption in software, the growing opportunity in non-sponsored middle-market lending and how direct lenders can stay resilient and competitive through the next credit cycle.
Mar 9
25 min
An ad hoc discussion of ad hoc lender groups
On this legal-focused episode of Debtwired, Andy Serbe sits down with Stephen Silverman of Gibson Dunn to talk about ad hoc group formation trends in Chapter 11, the role they play in a plan and negotiation-focused environment, and more.
Mar 5
22 min
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