Credit index spreads have been largely unchanged this year — but the calm surface belies a more complex picture underneath. Rising dispersion, AI-driven disruption fears, widening BDC spreads, and the military conflict in the Middle East are reshaping the risk landscape for fixed income investors — without much additional compensation showing up at the credit index level.

On this episode of Disruptive Forces, host Anu Rajakumar sits down with Ashok Bhatia, Neuberger's Chief Investment Officer and Global Head of Fixed Income, to unpack what's really going on beneath the surface in credit markets. Together, they discuss the growing pressure on BDCs and their software loan exposures, why a crude oil price spike historically favors Fed easing over hiking, how AI disruption is forcing a repricing of software company capital structures, labor market risks that could unlock additional Fed cuts, and where Neuberger's fixed income team is selectively finding opportunity across emerging markets, repriced technology names, and more.

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