DBRS Morningstar Takes Rating Actions on Purchasing Power Funding 2018-A, LLC

DBRS, Inc. (DBRS Morningstar) confirmed or upgraded its ratings on Purchasing Power Funding 2018-A, LLC, as follows:

-- Class A, Series 2018-A, confirmed at AA (sf)
-- Class B, Series 2018-A, upgraded to AA (sf)
-- Class C, Series 2018-A, upgraded to A (sf)
-- Class D, Series 2018-A, upgraded to BBB (low) (sf)

The rating actions are based on the following analytical considerations:
-- The transaction assumptions consider DBRS Morningstar’s set of macroeconomic scenarios for select economies related to the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), available in its commentary “Global Macroeconomic Scenarios: September Update,” published on September 10, 2020. DBRS Morningstar initially published macroeconomic scenarios on April 16, 2020, which have been regularly updated. The scenarios were last updated on September 10, 2020, and are reflected in DBRS Morningstar’s rating analysis.

-- The assumptions consider the moderate macroeconomic scenario outlined in the commentary, with the moderate scenario serving as the primary anchor for current ratings. The moderate scenario remains predicated on a more rapid return of confidence and a steady recovery heading into 2021. Observed performance during the 2008–09 financial crisis and the possible impact from the stimulus package from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act were also incorporated into the analysis.

-- The level of hard credit enhancement in the form of overcollateralization, subordination, and amounts held in reserve funds has grown as the transactions have amortized because of their sequential-pay nature. As a result, hard credit enhancement and estimated excess spread are sufficient to support the DBRS Morningstar-projected remaining cumulative net loss (CNL) (including an adjustment for the moderate scenario) assumption at a multiple of coverage commensurate with the ratings above.

-- The collateral performance to date and DBRS Morningstar's assessment of future performance, including upward revisions to the expected CNL assumptions consistent with the expected unemployment levels in the moderate scenario.

-- The transaction parties’ capabilities with regard to origination, underwriting, and servicing.

ESG CONSIDERATIONS
A description of how DBRS Morningstar considers ESG factors within the DBRS Morningstar analytical framework and its methodologies can be found at: https://www.dbrsmorningstar.com/research/357792.

Notes:
The principal methodology is DBRS Morningstar Master U.S. ABS Surveillance (May 27, 2020), which can be found on dbrsmorningstar.com under Methodologies & Criteria.

For more information regarding rating methodologies and Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), please see the following DBRS Morningstar press release: https://www.dbrsmorningstar.com/research/357883.

For more information regarding structured finance rating methodologies and Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), please see the following DBRS Morningstar press release: https://www.dbrsmorningstar.com/research/358308.

The rated entity or its related entities did not participate in the rating process for this rating action. DBRS Morningstar had access to the accounts and other relevant internal documents of the rated entity or its related entities in connection with this rating action.

Please see the related appendix for additional information regarding the sensitivity of assumptions used in the rating process.

For more information on this credit or on this industry, visit www.dbrsmorningstar.com or contact us at [email protected].

DBRS, Inc.
140 Broadway, 43rd Floor
New York, NY 10005 USA
Tel. +1 212 806-3277