OREANDA-NEWS. S&P Global Ratings today assigned its preliminary ratings to Shackleton 2016-IX CLO Ltd./Shackleton 2016-IX CLO LLC's $370.00 million floating-rate notes (see list).

The note issuance is a collateralized loan obligation transaction backed by broadly syndicated speculative-grade senior secured term loans.

The preliminary ratings are based on information as of Oct. 10, 2016. Subsequent information may result in the assignment of final ratings that differ from the preliminary ratings.

The preliminary ratings reflect our view of: The diversified collateral pool, which consists primarily of broadly syndicated speculative-grade senior secured term loans that are governed by collateral quality tests. The credit enhancement provided through the subordination of cash flows, excess spread, and overcollateralization. The collateral manager's experienced team, which can affect the performance of the rated notes through collateral selection, ongoing portfolio management, and trading. The transaction's legal structure, which is expected to be bankruptcy remote.