U.S. private credit pressure intensifies: unrealized losses at BDCs widen, PIK income stays elevated
Reuters’ analysis of 51 BDCs showed that unrealized losses in the U.S. private credit/BDC sector rose to 2.35% of net asset value in the first quarter of 2026, marking the steepest quarterly decline since the second quarter of 2022. At the same time, payment-in-kind (PIK) income remained at elevated levels, reflecting rising liquidity and refinancing pressure among borrowers. Another Reuters report said U.S. direct lending issuance and inflows slowed sharply, with incremental private credit financing falling to $44.76 billion, down markedly from the first quarter.