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

Ares backs Arcmont’s USD 2.5bn private credit continuation vehicle
The vehicle acquires senior direct lending assets from Arcmont’s 2019-vintage fund and marks the largest credit secondaries transaction in Europe, according to Ares

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

Tikehau looks to develop Asia direct lending product via JV
The French alternative asset manager has struck a joint venture with Amova Asset Management, formerly known as Nikko Asset Management, to solidify its presence in Asia

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

LME court battles in focus as Selecta and Hunkemoller litigations move forward
Europe Court Spotlight: Selecta bondholder antitrust claims face dismissal bid; Hunkemoller noteholders expand New York uptiering lawsuit arguments

Luxembourg embraces fund tokenisation to court retail investors but concerns over centralised EU supervision linger
Grand Duchy emphasises innovation stance; concerns EU oversight may slow innovation

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

Investors scrutinise AI disruption and opportunities in the European loan market
Lower EV, high leverage elevate credit risk and refi challenges; AI-driven sell-off creates selective buy opportunities

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

Loan market sell-off set to widen, Sealed Air enters primary despite expected issuance slowdown – Europe Loan Digest
Electronic Arts to price today; strong CLO bid protects prices from macro volatility

EQT, Advent, Cinven embrace deal flexibility as hedge against Middle East chaos
ECM Pulse:Optionality trumps predictions in chasing LP returns; uncertainty dogs IPO prospects as bid-ask gap remains

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

ABS primary braves geopolitical uncertainty as spreads start to feel pressure – European ABS Weekly Digest
The European ABS primary market mostly shunned geopolitical risk this week as seven deals priced, two of which were pre-placed

Eurazeo expands evergreen push across Europe as wealth inflows rise 18%
EUR 922m in wealth inflows in 2025, up 18%; Two evergreen launches in 2025, wealth AUM now EUR 5.8bn

Sponsors reshaping Europe’s chemicals sector add Iran fallout to buyout risks – Dealspeak EMEA
As concerns over European feedstock prices grow amid the fallout from war in the Middle East, the burning question is whether sponsors will continue to reshape the chemicals industry as they have over the past year, with the wave of private equity investment across Europe’s embattled sector names having shaken up an industry traditionally moulded by strategic players

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