BlackRock becomes latest manager to explore interval fund structure for credit
Several managers have hit the market with the interval fund structure, as investors look to invest in illiquid strategies through an illiquid fund structure

Four private credit managers score as Arizona pension fund commits $250 million
The $9.78 billion pension fund has mandated nearly $250 million to four private credit managers, alongside additional commitments for co-investment opportunities 

Pimco receives nearly $400 million for ESG fixed income mandate
 An $11 billion super fund has awarded a new ESG-focused fixed income mandate to Pimco

Illinois pension fund appoints private debt consultant and awards $75 million to credit
The $51.3 billion pension fund has appointed consultant Aksia to manage its private debt investments and has mandated up to $75 million to a private debt manager

CPPIB moves into Australian real estate debt fund
The $272.6 billion Canada Pension Plan Investment Board has partnered with Sydney-based Challenger Investment Partners to provide middle market real estate loans in Australia and New Zealand 

Californian pension fund assigns $25 million to Monroe direct lending strategy
As part of its private credit pacing plan, the $5.4 billion pension fund will make a $75 million commitment to direct lending funds each year for the next three years

Texas pension fund earmarks $650 million to four private debt funds
Angelo Gordon, HIG Whitehorse and Värde have secured commitments from the Texas pension fund for their direct lending funds

Sovereign investors' allocation to alternative credit increase rapidly, finds survey
Sovereign investors are increasing their exposure to CLOs, direct lending and bank loans, according to a 2018 Global Sovereign Asset Management Study published by Invesco this week

Japanese pension fund allocation to alternatives reaches record high, survey reveals
The average Japanese institutional investor now allocates 17.1% of their portfolio to alternative assets, according to a JP Morgan Asset Management survey.

Pacific Current acquires stake in Chicago-based private debt manager
Sydney-headquartered Pacific Current Group has acquired a 24.9% stake in Chicago-based Victory Park Capital

Evolving strategy takes Norinchukin close to top spot in CLO investment
Over the years, Nochu has tweaked its cov-lite stipulations, and added mid market and European CLO exposure to its CLO investments. It’s now nearly the market’s biggest investor  

New rules encourage growth in blossoming risk sharing market
Significant risk transfer deals have generally been issued towards the end of the year – but the first quarter of 2018 has opened with a flurry of deals across primary and secondary markets

Standard Chartered plans refocused SRT return
One of the biggest issuers of significant risk transfer (SRT) deals is returning to the market

Aircraft lessors: gathering clouds lead to talk of turbulence
Aircraft leasing companies have been cruising over the past two years as passenger numbers grew, but rising interest rates and trade tariff concerns are making some bondholders nervous

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 

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

Term structure is being developed for floating rate benchmark SOFR, says LSTA
The Secured Overnight Financing Rate, known as SOFR, is being developed into a term structure

Points up front: World Cup simulation shows models don’t work
England as fourth favourites? Pull the other one

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 

Marathon EM fund picks up the pace with at least $58 million of inflows
Marathon Emerging Markets Bond Fund, a long-only investment fund focused on liquid assets in the global emering market, has raised at least $155 million, SEC filings show

Future returns: we've (not) got a case of the blues
Regular readers may notice a slight change to this, the 201st issue of Creditflux...

Investcorp names new co-CEO
Alterative investment manager Investcorp has announced that Hazem Ben-Gacem will become co-chief executive officer, joining current co-CEO Rishi Kapoor

Pictet launches Asian corporate bond fund
Geneva-headquartered Pictet Asset Management has launched a Ucits-compliant Asian corporate bonds fund

Dutch managers team up to launch $250 million EM impact fund
NN Investment Partners  and FMO Investment Management have launched an emerging markets loan fund – which has just held a first close $250 million capital commitments, 25% over its original target

Market's newest ESG bond fund targets Australian and New Zealand investors
Less than two years after launching an equity version, Dimensional has unveiled a sustainable bond fund for investors in Australia and New Zealand