CalPERS, other large investors embrace a strategy that may send more cash to private markets
ANALYSIS: Institutional investors that switch to the Total Portfolio Approach will have more flexibility to commit to private market asset strategies like private debt and private equity

NYS system commits USD 500m as Illinois plans private credit RFP
NYSCRF allocates USD 500m to BlackRock, Ares and Pearl Diver; Boston, San Joaquin pensions also reveal recent commitments; Illinois police pension plans private credit search in June

Tikehau raises more than USD 1bn for private credit secondaries
This sophomore fund doubled the size of its predecessor and closed above target

Lending giants invade lower mid-market in search of deals – Private Credit Comment
Smaller debt funds face increased competition from larger lenders; normalisation hinges on more M&A volumes or issues in syndicated markets

Arini President Mathew Cestar says Europe’s missing AI boom provides opportunities
PODCAST: Europe has mostly missed the AI boom that’s driven a large part of US economic growth – but that actually makes European credit more appealing, according to the head of the alternative asset manager

Moelis taps Barclays alum to lead private credit secondaries
Kyle Reidy previously served as global head of structured credit origination at Barclays.  

Brigade raises USD 1bn for debut private credit fund
The firm will use the fund to make first-lien loans to companies in the lower and middle market

Software private credit names face refinancing risks amid AI fears – KBRA
ANALYSIS: The ratings agency also noted that software exposure alone is not a risk to BDCs, private credit CLOs and direct lending portfolios

Janus Henderson launches asset-backed credit fund for individuals
The fund, which was seeded with USD 250m, launched through Janus Henderson affiliates Privacore Capital and Victory Park Capital

Coller backs continuation vehicle for Ares direct lending
Ares closed a GP-led secondaries transaction for its 2018-vintage US direct lending fund

Apollo readies offensive strategy for software valuation troubles
The alternative asset manager says it’s ready to step in as a lender or even provide equity to software companies as the market anticipates  challenges from artificial intelligence

Wisconsin, Texas systems increase commitments to opportunistic credit
Wisconsin Investment Board allocates USD 650m in 4Q25; Texas system commits USD 350m to LuminArx, Ares

Apollo partners with Schroders on public-private credit
The two will launch a US collective investment trust in the second quarter for 401k defined contribution investors and create new products for UK wealth clients

AI’s improvements to workflow will be felt in months, not years – Carlyle co-president Mark Jenkins
PODCAST: Speaking on the latest episode of Credit Exchange with Lisa Lee, Jenkins predicts the next stage will involve how corporates implement AI tools into their workflows, and that the process is “really in the first innings of implementation”

Private credit makes its pitch to private wealth at IPEM
Private credit fundraising up 20%, European funds gain on US uncertainty; evergreen products emerge to tap private wealth despite liquidity and valuation challenges

Ares plans to raise a USD 6.6bn alternative credit fund in just six months
The alternative asset manager also said on its fourth quarter earnings call that it is preparing a final close for its latest opportunistic credit fund

Blue Owl raises USD 2.5bn for opportunistic alternative credit fund
The firm also said it is not negative on software lending, amid concerns that artificial intelligence may make some businesses obsolete

Private credit secondaries poised for insurer activity – Coller
ANALYSIS: Credit secondaries are the natural buyer universe for structured notes, which have become a popular way for insurers to gain private credit exposure

New Jersey, Oklahoma systems double down on private credit SMAs
New Jersey DOI commits USD 600m to Golub Capital, while Oklahoma, NY systems increase allocations to SMAs; Vermont pension could commit USD 235m in 2026

Pantheon backs Eurazeo in EUR 480m private debt secondaries deal
Eurazeo announced it has closed a continuation vehicle, allowing some LPs to liquidate their shares early

Retail and consumer credits show weaker fundamentals – BlackRock co-head of leveraged finance Mitch Garfin
PODCAST: There are opportunities in the market, according to Mitch Garfin, co-head of leveraged finance at BlackRock – but consumer and retail-oriented sectors are under pressure 

Prepare for a swift credit pullback when the bullish run ends – Deutsche Bank
The likely new US Federal Reserve chair may be more hawkish, and the progress made in artificial intelligence could disrupt credits in the software sector, DB analysts warn

PGIM makes credit secondaries push, eyes mid-market deals
The new platform will combine secondaries and direct lending capabilities in one unit, while PGIM will actively consider US, Europe GP-led and LP-led deals

London leveraged finance leaders turn out for melanoma fight
The British Museum played host to the second edition of Leveraged Finance Fights Melanoma (LFFM) London on Wednesday evening, with some 700 attendees from 90 firms across the leveraged finance and private equity helping raise over GBP 1.6m for melanoma research

LACERS stalls private credit consultant renewal, Connecticut system issues RFP
The Texas County & District Retirement System invests another USD 60m in Alcentra's Structured Credit Opportunities Fund V, while LACERS delays private credit consultant renewal over fees