U.S. Bankruptcy Tracker: Worst-Ever August, Despite Slowing Pace

The Covid-19 pandemic helped fuel the worst August for large corporate bankruptcies on record. U.S. filings have slowed month-on-month, but 2020 is on track to be the biggest bankruptcy year ever.

Twenty companies with over $50 million in liabilities filed for bankruptcy last month, including a steady flow from the energy sector. That compares to 14 corporations seeking court protection in August 2009, but marks a significant decline compared to the approximately 30 filings in each of May, June and July, data compiled by Bloomberg show.

In the past week there were just four bankruptcies, including one of the ...