Buysiders Tap Receivers Ahead Of March CDS Changes And AQR

Hedge funds, fast money and real money are buying longer-term receivers on Senior Financials with strikes at 100 basis points, 95 bps and some 80 bps for technical reasons, including the desire to position ahead of new credit default swap definitions due in March. The Asset Quality Review due at the end of the year is also weighing on spreads, with equity underperforming Senior Financials as banks seek to reduce the size of their balance sheets.