Ares to launch new private credit fund with USD 10bn-15bn equity target
The fund has the same equity target as its record-breaking predecessor, Ares Senior Direct Lending Fund III

BDC outlook turns negative as inflows, yields decline—Moody’s
Perpetual nontraded BDCs experiencing redemption pressure may see market volatility temporarily hurt net asset value, Heron Finance Chief Credit Officer Khang Nguyen told Creditflux

AI disruption fears and Middle East-driven macro volatility weigh on loan and bond issuance – 1Q26 LevFin Highlights
LevFin issuance across the US and European institutional loan and high-yield bond markets saw a strong start to the year before fears of artificial intelligence (AI) disruption and escalating macro volatility stemming from the US and Israel war with Iran weighed on market activity

Blackstone raises USD 10bn for oversubscribed opportunistic credit fund
The alternative asset management giant will use the fund’s flexible mandate to invest across industries, capital structures, and geographies

Ares closes on USD 9.8bn for opportunistic credit
The manager, which held final close for its Ares Special Opportunities Fund III and related vehicles, is also now raising capital for its third alternative credit fund

Michigan, New Mexico make large bets on asset-based credit strategies
Michigan SIB commits USD 800m to Apollo, LGT credit funds; New Mexico SIC allocates USD 400m for Ares, Pemberton funds

Defaults concentrate in smaller names, showing ‘size does matter’ – Houlihan Lokey
EXCLUSIVE: Credit quality concerns were generally contained to the smaller end of the smallest borrowers as interest coverage ratios improved for the broader market, new fourth quarter data shows

FoxPath to launch rated note feeder fund with backing from RGA
EXCLUSIVE: The new rated note feeder fund will invest in the firm’s debut private credit secondaries fund

Tikehau sees fertile ground for latest credit secondaries fund amid market tumult
TPDS II closed on over USD 1bn, more than double size of inaugural vehicle; focus is on LP-led credit secondaries, despite market pivot to GP-leds

JF Lehman targets over USD 3.51bn across buyout, opportunistic credit funds
Firm targets USD 2.75bn for Fund VII, USD 760m for second credit fund; inaugural opportunistic credit fund closed in 2025

CalPERS, CalSTRS disclose large commitments to Blackstone credit vehicles
CalPERS invests USD 5.75bn in 3Q25 across seven vehicles; CalSTRS, LACERA reveal allocations totalling USD 750m each

Global SRT issuance hits record USD 41bn in 2025
Issuance volumes were up 40% on 2024; large banks accounted for 90% of total issuance, with CRE and infra SRT issuance more than doubling year-on-year

Sound Point raises USD 1.5bn for oversubscribed special-sits private credit fund
The latest Strategic Capital Fund III will originate asset-based, first-lien private credit investments to back corporate borrowers seeking transitional or customised financing

Credit secondaries surge as GP-led deals dominate and pricing stays tight
Private credit more than doubles share of global secondaries; GP-led deals now 75% of activity, with demand driven by need to generate liquidity ahead

Montana, North Carolina systems aim large allocations for real estate debt
Montana commits USD 250m to Walton Street, GoldenTree funds; North Carolina plans USD 1.7bn in commitments, with USD 1bn for real estate debt

FS KKR’s Lionbridge loan hit with AI threat, put on nonaccrual
The listed BDC also added Alacrity Solutions, AmeriVet Partners, Dental Care Alliance and Gracent to its nonaccrual list and cut dividends by nearly a third to USD 0.48 per share

Ares to anchor Arcmont’s debut direct lending continuation fund
PJT advises on Arcmont's GP-led credit secondary vehicle; Ares closed its debut credit secondaries fund on USD 7.1bn

Maine, New Mexico systems eye large bets in senior direct lending
Maine PERS plans USD 375m for Blackstone funds; New Mexico SIC allocates USD 300m to Neuberger Berman; LADWP, Ventura County pensions also disclose recent moves

2026 has already seen over USD 7bn in direct lending foreclosures – Lincoln International
Private credit debt-to-equity swaps hit a record USD 24bn in 2025, and sponsors are continuing to abandon portfolio companies to direct lenders this year

Qatar SWF backs 5C direct lending growth in new partnership
The sovereign wealth fund is agreeing to help the alternative investment manager develop new investment products

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

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

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

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