Alcentra hires co-heads of US direct lending
Alcentra has moved into the US direct lending space - and has appointed Suhail Shaikh and Peter Glaser as managing directors and co-heads of its US direct lending business

BlackRock seeks $1 billion for new multi-strat opportunities fund
The new trust will invest at least 80% of its assets in fixed income securities and up to 40% in special situations, SEC filings reveal 

Michigan pension fund looks to commit $80 million to debt funds
The $114 billion Michigan pension fund is looking to commit to two private debt funds managed by London-based Kreos Capital and New-York headquartered MidOcean Credit Partners

Goldman poaches Credit Suisse credit structuring specialist
Goldman Sachs has hired credit structuring specialist Omar Waly as a credit structuring executive director

HSBC Global launches three Icav fixed income funds
The three fixed income funds will sit on HSBC's new Dublin-domiciled Icav platform aims to facilitate access to funds globally 

Highland launches CLO Ucits fund
Dallas-headquartered Highland Capital Management has launched a new Dublin-domiciled Ucits fund, which will focus on CLO debt

EM manager takes assets across two funds to $1.4 billion after big inflows
Two funds managed by a New York-headquartered firm have reached a combined $1.4 billion after big inflows

Ranger direct lending fund set to wind-up as Ares withdraws candidacy
A new development in the Ranger Direct Lending Fund saga: Ares withdraws its proposal to assume managerial responsibilities for the fund

Texas pension fund ups commitment to CQS opportunities fund
The $29.7 million pension fund mandated $50 million to CQS Directional Opportunities Feeder Fund on 1 June

Real estate debt takes off as funds raise billions
Octopus's Ludo Mackenzie on why real estate debt is attractive: “In absolute terms, property yields are close to where they were in 2007, which would imply that the asset class is fully priced. In relative terms, however, compare commercial property yields to the risk-free rate and there is a healthy margin of around 3.5%.”  

Hermes launches £185 million unconstrained credit fund
London-based Hermes Investment Management has launched a new Ucits-compliant unconstrained credit fund - which will include pricing ESG risks

Credit Agricole hires head of US credit trading and head of ABS syndicate
Credit Agricole has strengthened its US credit platform by hiring Anatoly Nakum as head of credit trading for the Americas, and Beth Starr as head of ABS syndicate for the same region

65% of distressed managers plan new funds over the next year, survey finds
Distressed debt is proving to be a popular strategy for managers, with 65% intending to launch a distressed strategy in the next 12 months, according to a report by Creditflux’s sister publication Debtwire and law firm Ropes & Gray.     

Direct lending growth challenges loan administrators, finds private credit survey
Nine out of 10 private credit managers face challenges when administering loans, according to an Alternative Credit Council report

Ostrum and Natixis unite to launch real asset private debt platform
The new real asset private debt arm will target €6 billion AUM by 2020 and focus on three sectors: real estate, infrastructure and aviation

Robeco launches SDG-focused credit fund
Robeco and RobecoSAM, its affiliate which is focused on sustainable investing, have teamed up to launch a new credit strategy which aims to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

HSBC asset management unit raises $800 million for global multi-manager loan fund
As a multi-manager fund,  the new vehicle aims to offer the benefits of fund-of-funds - diversification - but with a management fee comparable to a single manager 

Massachusetts pension fund invests $75 million with TowerBrook
Mass PRIM) has made a $75 million commitment to New-York based TowerBrook Capital Partners for its second structured opportunities fund, according to 15 May board documentation

Tages holds $203 million first close for hedge fund seeding strategy
The new closed-end vehicle will focus on providing seeding and acceleration capital to emerging hedge fund managers

Investec unveils unconstrained global credit fund for UK investors
“In a world of rising interest rates, and with the accompanying increase in volatility", Investec has launched a replica of its Investec Global Total Credit Fund - this time for UK investors

Destra and BlueBay team up to launch credit interval fund
Destra has become the latest manager to launch an interval fund - Destra International & Event-Driven Credit Fund - which will focus on two strategies: multi-strategy international credit  and event driven credit. 

CIFC lands in Europe with new office and top marketing hire
CIFC has further strengthened its European presence in the credit market, opening a new London office and appointing Muzinich’s Joshua Hughes to head its European marketing

Global law firm adds Luxembourg fund specialist as partner
Luxembourg fund specialist Augustin de Longeaux joins Simmons & Simmons as partner. He will initially focus on US clients with respect to capital raising and distribution in Europe