美国软件业贷款坏账激增，一场“软件-PE”死亡循环正上演

Core Insights - The U.S. software industry is facing a credit crisis triggered by concerns over AI disrupting traditional software business models [1][2] - The crisis, referred to as the "SaaS apocalypse," has led to a significant increase in bad debt within the tech sector, reaching approximately $46.9 billion, the highest level since October 2022 [1] - The impact of this crisis is spreading from the stock market to the private credit sector, with a notable percentage of leveraged loans exposed to the tech industry [1][3] Group 1: Debt Deterioration - Over the past four weeks, $17.7 billion in tech company loans have fallen into bad debt, primarily within the Software as a Service (SaaS) sector [2] - Bad loans are defined as those yielding more than 10 percentage points above the benchmark Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) [2] - Many software company loans are nearing distress levels, with specific examples including Dayforce and Calabrio, which are approaching crisis thresholds [2] Group 2: Private Credit Market Challenges - The software industry's troubles are transmitting shockwaves to the private credit market, with alternative lenders' stock prices plummeting in tandem with software companies [3] - Analysts indicate that software represents one of the largest industry exposures for Business Development Companies (BDCs), potentially higher than reported due to misclassification of loans [3] - The logic behind lending to software companies has collapsed, as the predictability of subscription revenue is now questioned due to the risk of obsolescence [3][4] Group 3: Market Dynamics - The appeal of private credit is diminishing as public market yields rise, making the promised "liquidity premium" less attractive [4] - The current market environment is characterized by panic selling, with no signs of stabilization, leading to a "death spiral" for software companies [5] - A dangerous feedback loop is forming, where falling software equity valuations pressure private credit institutions to reassess their balance sheets, tightening credit conditions further [5]