DOJ Probing for Collusion in CLOs During Libor Transition (1)

The US Justice Department is conducting a criminal antitrust investigation into whether some investors in collateralized loan obligations colluded to bolster their positions as markets transitioned away from the scandal-plagued London interbank offer rate in early 2023, according to people familiar with the matter.

Antitrust prosecutors in New York have sent subpoenas to financial firms as they seek to determine whether investors with an equity stake in the $1.3 trillion CLO market illegally coordinated as the underlying buyout debt was repriced, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing the confidential probe. The investigation was opened about a ...