LP round up: managers keep fundraising hopes high as GSO targets $7.5 billion for mezz offering
Institutional investors allocated $1.6 billion into credit this week, according to documents seen by Creditflux

GSO eyes $7 billion for credit opps fund and closes $4.8 billion European direct lending fund
GSO is eyeing a $7 billion target size for a new credit opportunites fund. The New York-based manager recently closed its second European direct lending fund, GSO Senior European Debt Fund II, at $4.8 billion

'Speciality finance' gains momentum as US investors go deeper into private credit
Institutional investors are continuing to invest in niche, speciality finance strategies - including litigation financing and life sciences - following intense competition and overcrowding in US private credit 

GSO official to join distressed debt manager Kennedy Lewis
The head of capital markets at GSO Capital Partners, who serves as a portfolio manager, will join distressed debt firm Kennedy Lewis Investment Management as a partner in 2020

Wells Fargo AM makes big credit hire to co-head its private strategies team
Wells Fargo Asset Management has appointed Vincent Lu to co-head the firm’s private strategies, according to an internal memo seen by Creditflux

Last of GSO's co-founders departs
It's the end of an era as GSO Capital Partners co-founder Bennett Goodman (the 'G' in GSO) will step down from the firm at the end of the year 

GSO adds $10 billion to inflows with direct lending, structured credit and energy
Blackstone grew its credit assets under management to $139.3 billion, up 13% on a year ago, according to the firm's second quarter earnings release

GSO generates $4.5 billion capital for energy-focused credit fund
GSO Capital Partners has closed its second energy-focused credit fund with $4.5 billion of capital commitments, the firm has announced. Creditflux understands that the fund originally targeted a $5 billion final close

New kids on the block dominate awards

Ohio pension backs GSO's upcoming European direct lending fund
Ohio Police & Fire Pension Fund (OP&F) has approved a $50 million commitment to GSO European Debt Fund II

Spire wins Creditflux Manager of the Year award
Spire Partners was the big winner at Creditflux's Manager Awards last night as the London-based manager scooped the award for the manager of the year. On top of this, the firm picked up awards for Best European CLO Manager and Best European CLO for Aurium CLO II

GSO to add two North American offices in 2019
The credit manager anticipates the offices will help expand the firm’s origination efforts in North America

Performing credit tops distressed credit for Blackstone, but credit AUM declines
The firm is looking to boost its direct lending business to gain $10 billion of available capital over the next couple of years

Blackstone builds on multi-asset approach with fifth fund
The new vehicle will invest directly into Blackstone deals across its alternatives platform

Recent CLO debutant Vista brings in GSO official to lead credit team
Vista Credit Partners has hired a former GSO official to lead its credit team

PE firm hires direct lending specialist from GSO
Private equity firm AE Industrial Partners has appointed an experienced structured credit official as it looks to expand its structured credit offerings

Blackstone grows credit assets by 31% over year
The firm achieved strong fundraising in credit, taking credit-related assets under managment to $130.6 billion in the third quarter, a 31% increase year-on-year 

Mid market CLO league tables: GSO and Vista join the party
The US middle market CLO industry is booming with two new managers moving into this area

GSO debuts in mid market CLOs with Diamond CLO
GSO Capital Partners' Diamond CLO is for one year with the manager pricing a short-dated mid-market deal

GSO registers new direct lending fund after going solo
After its partnership with FS Investments reached an end, GSO Capital Partners has registered a new direct lending fund with US regulators

New York pension fund allocates $400 million to two private debt funds
New York State Common Retirement Fund has awarded $400 million to two private debt managers: GSO and Vista Equity Partners, Creditflux has learned

GSO launches new energy fund and picks up $75 million from US pension
The GSO Energy Select Opportunities Fund II is understood to be targeting $5 billion and has already been chosen by a Louisiana pension fund for a $75 million commitment

Blackstone taps Australia's mortgage loan market with new acquisition
New York-based Blackstone is tapping into Australia’s lucrative mortgage loan market by acquiring an 80% stake in direct lending company La Trobe Financial

First Eagle completes deal to buy NewStar
New York-based First Eagle Investment Management has completed its previously announced acquisition of Boston-based direct lending specialist NewStar Financial