ESG initiatives should avoid unfavourable reactions by pursuing substance over form
By any financial measure, the collaboration of trans activist Dylan Mulvaney with Bud Light hurt the brand. What was formerly America’s best-selling beer saw its market share collapse — from over 35% in May 2023 to around 9% in June — because of a boycott by US conservatives after a 60-second TikTok video aired of Mulvaney drinking it.

M&G launches first European private credit fund
M&G Investments is the latest firm looking to individual investors as an avenue for fundraising with the launch of a new ELTIF, dubbed the M&G Corporate Credit Opportunities Fund

BlackRock raises EUR 1.25bn for venture debt fund
BlackRock-owned Kreos Capital held the final close on the Kreos Capital VII fund with commitments of EUR 1.25 billion

Fidelity launches first European direct lending fund
Fidelity International has launched its first direct lending fund in Europe with a loan to Dutch dental services firm Clinias Dental Group 

Ares launches direct lending fund targeting retail investors in Europe and Asia
The new Ares European Strategic Income Fund is part of a growing string of credit options catered to wealthy individuals

Muzinich takes the high road for new private credit fund
Muzinich & Co has launched an AI-enhanced private credit fund called MLoan that focuses on parallel lending

BlackRock creates ESG-focused credit fund
BlackRock launches new strategy as interest in private credit and sustainable investments continues to grow

Credit impact fund surpasses $100 million target close
The fund targets companies that support social and environmental causes in Africa, Asia and the Americas

AEW poaches MD from BlackRock as the firm acquires Natixis' private debt business
The expanded European platform will include infrastructure debt and new investment products

Despite CLO gloom in Europe and greater take up of private credit in the US, markets on both sides of the Atlantic are similar
I’ve just returned from a trip to London, my first since taking on the mantle of editing Creditflux, and was struck as always by how stubbornly far apart the European and the US markets remain.

Primary market roars into life
The primary CLO market pickup that started in August continued strongly in September, both in Europe and the US. Although the overall direction was the same on both sides of the Atlantic, the type of activity was quite different.

Private equity firm raises USD 750 million for private credit
British-based private equity firm Apax Partners has raised USD 750m for the first generation of its Apax Credit Funds

Arrow Global names new senior-level hires
London-based asset manager announces new CIO of credit and direct lending

Helaba to launch EUR 500m infrastructure debt fund
Helaba Group is looking to launch its first comingled infrastructure debt fund, as the bank looks to expand its investment management capabilities in the sector

Blackstone loses head of private credit in Europe and APAC
Senior managing director will stay until the end of the year before stepping back for personal reasons

Rabobank launches new direct lending platform
Colesco Capital with a focus on sustainable direct lending

Opale selects three funds for tactical credit investment strategy
Digital platform for French investors launches first private debt investment strategy

Societe Generale teams up with Brookfield for €10 billion private debt fund
New fund launched with €2.5 billion of seed funding and plans to reach their target over the next four years

Bridgepoint Group acquires Energy Capital
Bridgepoint Group adopts infrastructure strategy with acquisition of Energy Capital Partners. 

Credit funds at a glance (September 2023)
A round-up of people moves and fund raising  

Credit hedge fund returns (September 2023)
Credit hedge fund returns  

Allianz launches €1.5 billion global private credit fund
Allianz Global Investors targets €1.5 billion for second vintage of European private credit fund

BlackRock eyes next infra debt fund
BlackRock Alternatives is looking to launch a second global infrastructure debt fund, shortly after the departure of its European head of debt

Hayfin secures its largest private credit fundraise to date with €6 billion in commitments
Hayfin's latest private credit fundraise exceeds target goals, securing more than €6 billion in capital commitments

KKR adds new evergreen fund to direct lending line-up
Investment giant KKR has launched a new direct lending fund, according to fund filings