Maureen O'Connor

The last time that corporations piled on a lot of debt was in the wake of the pandemic.

The last time that corporations piled on a lot of debt was in the wake of the pandemic.

Maureen O'Connor with Wells Fargo says that's because borrowing money was cheap back then.

Maureen O'Connor with Wells Fargo says that's because borrowing money was cheap back then.

And O'Connor says much of that debt is about to expire this year.

And O'Connor says much of that debt is about to expire this year.

O'Connor says another reason companies are borrowing so much money is that many of them hope to purchase other firms this year, and companies often use debt to finance mergers and acquisitions.

O'Connor says another reason companies are borrowing so much money is that many of them hope to purchase other firms this year, and companies often use debt to finance mergers and acquisitions.

Finally, there's all of the AI infrastructure tech firms are building around the country.

Finally, there's all of the AI infrastructure tech firms are building around the country.

Guy Labat is with Jenny Montgomery Scott.

Guy Labat is with Jenny Montgomery Scott.

LaBasse says those capital expenditures pay contractors, suppliers, and other companies that have been issuing new debt of their own.

LaBasse says those capital expenditures pay contractors, suppliers, and other companies that have been issuing new debt of their own.

Companies also feel like they can issue bonds right now because investors are eager to buy them.

Companies also feel like they can issue bonds right now because investors are eager to buy them.

Randy Vogel with Wilmington Trust says that's in large part because investors expect big corporations to do well this year.

Randy Vogel with Wilmington Trust says that's in large part because investors expect big corporations to do well this year.

That said, economic growth could slow down this year, or the Fed might hold off on rate cuts if inflation were to pick up.

That said, economic growth could slow down this year, or the Fed might hold off on rate cuts if inflation were to pick up.