Audax ties Churchill in 1H26 US direct-lender rankings as deal sizes increase – 1H26 US Direct Lender Rankings
US direct lending volume was broadly stable in the first half of 2026, reaching USD 155.6bn across 1,645 deals, compared with USD 154.2bn across 1,716 transactions in 1H25, according to Debtwire's 1H26 US Direct Lender Rankings report

Private credit secondaries deals more than doubled in 1H—Evercore
The first half of the year saw private credit secondaries volume balloon to USD 20bn, surpassing full-year 2025 volumes, with GP-led deals dominating, a new report from Evercore shows

CalPERS expands Goldman Sachs credit commitments, South Carolina picks Barings fund
CalPERS commits another USD 750m to West Street credit vehicles; South Carolina RSIC allocates USD 250m to a Barings fund

Optimum to show restructuring proposal to creditors’ advisors as company presses for deal before 4Q
Market participants discuss fraudulent conveyance claims amid reorganisation; creditor advisors are already restricted to review diligence documents

M&A volume leap 20% to USD 1.38tn in first quarter of 2026
Even the Iran conflict has not arrested momentum among larger deals. A mammoth USD 122bn capital raise from OpenAI closed on the last day of the quarter, according to Mergermarket data

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

AI blockbuster deals surge as Middle East conflict test dealmaker confidence
Mergermarkets M&A Highlights 1Q26: Global M&A volume jumped 22% to the second highest start ever

First Brands secures final mediation extension to advance case resolution talks, judge warns against further delays
Judge approves extension of FBG case resolution mediation with Judge Isgur through 27 March; likely the final extension for case resolution talks

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

BlackRock TCP reports new write-downs, wiping out 19% of NAV
Loans on non-accrual now account for 9.7% of cost for the BDC’s portfolio and 4% of fair value, the fourth quarter earnings presentation shows

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

Blackstone starts new fundraising round for institutional, evergreen US direct lending fund
The alternative asset management giant is back to raise more capital for Blackstone Senior Direct Lending Fund after previously closing on USD 22bn in October 2024

LPs seek cyclical private credit play amid US economic uncertainty
Many LPs pivoted to all-weather private credit strategies in recent years, but interest in more opportunistic and special-sits strategies reliant on a credit downturn are picking up once more

Altice France new capital structure starts trading as investors consider M&A potential
Restructuring completed as secured debt trades; break-up of Altice France business possible through sector consolidation

HSBC AM launches evergreen fund targeting trade, working capital assets
The new private credit strategy will invest in assets such as receivables and payables finance, trade loans and other instruments around the world

BC Partners Credit launches evergreen fund for dedicated specialty finance strategy
EXCLUSIVE: The new vehicle will be seeded with eight performing specialty finance loans

AlbaCore hires four to launch infra debt strategy
The European credit specialist jumps into the infrastructure space for the first time, tapping the former head of infrastructure debt at UBS Asset Management to lead the effort

Private credit inflows face uphill battle even as 401(k) doors open
Although US President Trump’s executive order opens defined contribution retirement plans like 401(k)s to private credit investments, a sudden and meaningful rise in inflows is unlikely 

PGIM shakes up credit platforms in major reorganization
The reorganization eliminates the separation between PGIM Private Capital and PGIM Fixed Income. The insurer-led firm appointed a single head of public and private fixed income  

Arena raises more than USD 1bn for multi-strategy credit
The firm held a final close for its latest flagship fund

Buyout Highlights - Overview of Europe Buyout and Financing Trends 1Q25
Leveraged loans are again the main source of financing for LBOs in Europe, providing 65% of the total volume issued in 1Q25  

Invesco raises more than USD 700m for distressed debt, special situations investments
Invesco Credit Partners III has yet to hold a final close and has already surpassed the size of its predecessor

Crestline raises USD 3.5bn for sponsor and nonsponsor-backed direct lending
The firm held a final close for its Crestline Direct Lending Fund IV

Maine, Louisiana, San Jose, Kern County pensions make new private credit investments, plot future moves
Public Pensions, Private Pursuits: Maine PERS to further increase exposure to TPG Angelo Gordon’s direct lending arm