Software faces AI-linked credit risks
Lyuba Petrova assesses the credit outlook for the software sector within the broader stable diversified technology outlook. While near-term AI disruption is more sentiment-driven than operationally realised, multi-year contracts provide a buffer. Key risk factors include mission criticality, switching costs, compliance integration, and financial flexibility. Highly leveraged B3-and-below issuers face compounding risks, with 2028 emerging as a year of heavy maturities and potential refinancing stress.