The European leveraged finance market is recognised for its potential to offer a compelling income advantage versus other, more traditional fixed income asset classes. Current market factors such as low default rates for speculative-grade debt and further stimulus from the European Central Bank are expected to continue to lend support to this asset class, which has enjoyed strong performance in 2019. Still, a prudent perspective would view the market as standing on relatively fragile ground in a period of low yields, lackluster economic activity and weakening growth outlook.