KBRA Affirms Ratings for Blue Owl Credit Income Corp.

15 Sep 2026   |   New York

Contacts

KBRA affirms the issuer and senior unsecured debt ratings of BBB+ for Blue Owl Credit Income Corp. (“OCIC” or “the company”). The rating Outlook is Stable.

Key Credit Considerations

The ratings reflect the company’s ties to the sizeable $158.1 billion Blue Owl Credit platform, including SEC exemptive relief to co-invest with other funds managed by Blue Owl Credit Advisors LLC and its affiliates, as well as the company's well diversified $35.7 billion investment portfolio across 345 companies with a focus on senior secured first lien loans (87.4%) to upper middle market companies in generally less cyclical sectors as of June 30, 2026. The top 3 industry concentrations were Healthcare Providers and Services (13.9%), Internet Software and Services (13.6%), and Insurance (8.7%). For traditional financing (90.7% of total debt investments), weighted average annual EBITDA and revenue were $298 million and $1.26 billion, respectively, as of June 30, 2026. The ratings are further supported by OCIC’s seasoned management team and investment committee, each with decades of private debt experience. Management has implemented a comparatively favorable and comprehensive set of risk management tools to ensure solid liquidity, funding, and asset quality in less favorable markets.

KBRA views the company’s gross leverage as adequate with a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.93x (net leverage 0.89x), below the company’s target range of 0.90x to 1.25x for net leverage, and an asset coverage ratio of 207%, providing for a solid cushion above the regulatory minimum of 150% as of June 30, 2026. KBRA believes that the company’s targeted leverage metrics would allow OCIC to absorb increased volatility in less favorable market conditions.

The company has continued to access the capital markets, with a solid funding mix that provides financial flexibility and includes a bank revolving credit facility, SPV asset facilities, CLOs, and senior unsecured notes. Senior unsecured debt comprised 42% of total debt outstanding as of June 30, 2026, reducing asset encumbrance for the benefit of senior unsecured noteholders and providing solid financial flexibility.

Liquidity was solid with ~$4.8 billion of bank credit availability and $681 million of unrestricted cash, against $2.9 billion of unsecured maturities within two years ($350 million coming due September 23, 2026) and $4.7 billion of unfunded commitments. More than 50% of the unfunded commitments are tied to covenants and transactions and are not expected to be drawn. Post quarter-end, the company issued $1.0 billion of senior unsecured notes, adding to its unsecured debt to further boost financial flexibility. Also, the company maintains a portfolio of more highly liquid investments (broadly syndicated loans - BSLs) for additional liquidity. As a continuously offered perpetual BDC, OCIC raises capital monthly and intends to offer up to 5% of its shares for repurchase quarterly subject to Board approval. While quarterly repurchases were limited to 5% of shares in 1H26 and capital raising has greatly moderated, the company maintains solid liquidity to fund redemptions. OCIC also conducts liquidity stress scenarios to assess its ability to meet repurchases while maintaining leverage within regulatory requirements. Since inception through 1H26, the company raised about $22 billion of capital.

Credit quality remains strong with only two portfolio companies on non-accrual status. Total non-accrual investments remain low at 0.3% and 0.2% of total investments at cost and fair value, respectively, as of 2Q26. While OCIC's portfolio is relatively unseasoned, 94.7% of the investments at FV have an internal risk rating of a 1 or 2, performing at or above the company’s initial underwriting expectations.

OCIC’s strengths are counterbalanced by the potential risks related to the company’s illiquid investments, an unseasoned investment portfolio with high portfolio growth, retained earnings constraints as a Regulated Investment Company (RIC), and the potential for increased non-accrual investments with a more uncertain economic environment with high base rates, inflation, and geopolitical risk. KBRA believes that OCIC and other Blue Owl BDCs will remain comparatively resilient.

Blue Owl Credit Income Corp. is an externally managed, non-diversified closed-end management investment company that has elected to be treated as a Business Development Company (BDC) under the 1940 Act and intends to elect to be treated as a Regulated Investment Company (RIC), which, among other things, must distribute to its shareholders at least 90% of the company’s investment company taxable income. The company was formed as a Maryland Corporation on April 22, 2020, commended operations on November 10, 2020, and is managed by Blue Owl Credit Advisors LLC, affiliate of Blue Owl Capital, Inc. (NYSE: OWL), which had ~$319 billion of AUM as of June 30, 2026. The company’s investment strategy coincides with the strategy of Blue Owl Capital Corporation (KBRA Issuer / Senior Unsecured Debt ratings of BBB+ / Stable Outlook).

Rating Sensitivities

Given the Stable Outlook, a rating upgrade is not expected over the medium term. A rating downgrade and/or Outlook change to Negative could be considered if there is a significant downturn in the U.S. economy with negative impact on OCIC’s earnings performance, asset quality, and leverage. A significant change in senior management and/or risk management policies could also lead to negative rating action.

To access ratings and relevant documents, click here.

Methodology

Disclosures

A description of all substantially material sources that were used to prepare the credit rating and information on the methodology(ies) (inclusive of any material models and sensitivity analyses of the relevant key rating assumptions, as applicable) used in determining the credit rating is available in the Information Disclosure Form(s) located here.

Information on the meaning of each rating category can be located here.

Further disclosures relating to this rating action are available in the Information Disclosure Form(s) referenced above. Additional information regarding KBRA policies, methodologies, rating scales and disclosures are available at www.kbra.com.

About KBRA

Kroll Bond Rating Agency, LLC (KBRA), one of the major credit rating agencies (CRA), is a full-service CRA registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as an NRSRO. Kroll Bond Rating Agency Europe Limited is registered as a CRA with the European Securities and Markets Authority. Kroll Bond Rating Agency UK Limited is registered as a CRA with the UK Financial Conduct Authority. In addition, KBRA is designated as a Designated Rating Organization (DRO) by the Ontario Securities Commission for issuers of asset-backed securities to file a short form prospectus or shelf prospectus. KBRA is also recognized as a Qualified Rating Agency by Taiwan’s Financial Supervisory Commission and is recognized by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners as a Credit Rating Provider (CRP) in the U.S.

Doc ID: 1017005