Corporate debt defaults soared last year and could be a problem again in 2024 as cash-strapped companies deal with the burden of high interest rates, S&P Global Ratings reported Tuesday.
The number of companies that failed to make required payments on their debt totaled 153 for 2023, up from 85 the year before, an increase of 80%.
Much of the total came from low-rated companies that had negative cash flows, high debt burdens and weak liquidity, S&P said.
S&P said there could be hard times ahead for corporate America, which, according to the Federal Reserve, is carrying a $13.7 trillion debt load.
Some economists worry that a "corporate debt cliff" could become a more serious problem as a large share of maturing debt that initially was financed at very low rates comes due in the next few years.
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