U.S. auto ABS may have hit a few potholes in recent months, but seasonal factors and investors’ hunger for greater returns is strengthening the sector, especially for subprime deals, according to Wall Street analysts. “Subprime auto ABS continue to benefit from the hunt for yield,” said Elen Callahan and Kayvan Darouian, analysts with Deutsche Bank, in a recent research report. Many deals are oversubscribed and are often upsized, they added. “With spread differentials of up to 600 basis points, depending on issuer and tranche, investors who are comfortable with the asset class’s recent performance are moving from the top of the credit structure, down to the first-loss piece, to pick up yield.” Increased demand for subprime auto ABS subordinate bonds is...