AI capex set to expand at unprecedented speed and scale – BlackRock
The 2026 outlook from the BlackRock Investment Institute notes that capital spending ambitions tied to the buildout of the artificial intelligence boom are so large that the micro is becoming macro

BlackRock’s EUR 5tn prediction for European private markets
Private credit, infrastructure and private equity are driving European private market investment to record highs

Aviva’s new pension strategy to allocate 20%-25% to private markets
My Future Vision has partnered with Neuberger, KKR, Apollo and others to deliver private markets access to pension savers 

Pemberton raises USD 1.7bn for NAV lending to private equity firms
The London-based private credit shop has met its fundraising target for its debut NAV Financing Core Fund I

BNP Paribas partners with Scottish Widows, bringing private credit to retirement channel
BNP Paribas Asset Management will manage a diversified private credit portfolio for Scottish Widows’ new UK retirement product

Scottish Widows plans private markets push through LTAF launch
EXCLUSIVE: the pension fund plans to invest in both private credit and private eqity with separate managers for each  

Expanding investor base and ABL will propel private credit growth says BlackRock
The private credit asset class will continue to grow in 2025 as the underlying investor base diversifies and the definition of private credit expands to include asset-backed finance held by private lenders

BlackRock launches first evergreen private markets fund for Europe’s wealthy
BlackRock has announced the launch of an innovative evergreen private markets platform for wealthy investors in Europe

Russia CDS auction deliverables list takes shape after sanctions licence
Russian Federation bonds cleared by Euroclear may be the only deliverable obligations to settle sovereign CDS contracts referencing the country, the Emea Determinations Committee has said, although it is also considering Clearstream listed bonds as it moves forward with preparations for a credit event auction

Seeds sewn for carbon credit market to flower into CLOs
Long-time structured credit specialist Jan Phillip Wassenaar has joined start-up NatureCredits as a senior advisor to support the evolving carbon credit industry

17Capital raises '‘largest debut private credit fund' since 2009
17Capital has closed what it claims is the ‘largest debut private credit fund raised globally since 2009’ as its inaugural NAV lending private credit fund hit its €2.6 billion hard cap. The fund's carried interest is also tied to a charity pledge

Russia debt repudiation / moratorium question lands with Determinations Committee
The Russian Federation looks to be edging closer towards triggering a credit event, having been referred to the Credit Derivatives Determinations Committee for a 'potential repudiation / moratorium' on its bonds

Axa IM extends palm oil policy to cover ecosystem protection and deforestation
Axa Investment Managers says it is expanding its 2014 policy of excluding investments in companies which do not have sustainable palm oil production certificates by factoring in deforestation and ecosystem protection

Nordic boutique launches debut green corporate bond fund
Nordic boutique Evli Fund Management has launched an inaugural fund focusing on green corporate bonds, which the Helsinki-headquartered manager says is in response to growing investor demand for allocation to green bonds

LGIM hires ESG head for real assets division
Legal & General Investment Management’s LGIM Real Assets has appointed Sheun Chan as head of environmental, social and corporate governance  

Danish pension backs green bonds
Sampension is set to boost its green portfolio, by allocating DKK300 million to German and Irish green bonds

ABS investors show increased interest in green securitisations to reach EU climate targets
Securitisation is being touted as a tool to help close the yearly investment gap of €180 billion needed to achieve the EU’s climate and energy targets by 2030, as identified in the European Commission’s sustainable finance action plan, which was published last year.

Danish pensions join forces on green strategy
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has announced that Danish pension funds are set to commit DKK350 billion in green investments, during an event prior to UN Climate Summit in New York