Corp. Defaults Expected to rise 30% in 2016: Moodys

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/corporate-defaults-expected-to-rise-30-in-2016-says-moodys-2016-03-01

“Commodity prices that will remain at low levels, an economic cycle that is getting long in the tooth and increased investor risk aversion as reflected in widening high-yield spreads are key players this time around,” analysts led by Sharon Ou, a Moody’s senior credit officer, said in a note. “Further interest-rate hikes this year by the Fed may exacerbate the default situation. Our default-rate forecasting model confirms that commodity sectors will remain in significant distress in 2016.”