NEW YORK -- May saw performance trends continuing to improve in prime auto loan asset-backed securities (ABS). Both the prime auto loan ABS delinquency and prime annualized net loss (ANL) indexes posted improvements.

The indexes, published in the Fitch Ratings newsletter ‘In the Auto ABS Driver’s Seat,’ showed a drop from April of 4.8 percent in delinquencies of 60 days or more to 0.4 percent in May. Delinquencies were 23.1 percent lower in May 2005 compared to that time last year, while the delinquency index hovers at its lowest level since June 2002.

Prime ANL fell 21.4 percent to 0.66 percent in May, marking the 16th straight monthly decline and the lowest level in more than five years. Prime cumulative net losses were 0.85 percent in May, down 3.4 percent from April and 11.4 percent lower than May 2004.