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The opportunity set for private credit appears to be becoming more favourable, despite the challenges of inflation, tight labour markets and rising interest rates, say Adams Street Partners’ Bill Sacher, Fred Chung and Justin Lawrence.
Tom Stein, head of private debt Americas, and Chris Bone, head of private debt Europe, at Partners Group discuss the opportunities and challenges facing direct lenders in Europe and the US.
Over a period of volatility, resilient sectors of the economy such as technology and healthcare are proving their worth, says Paul Johnson, partner and head of direct lending at Bridgepoint Credit.
After a record-breaking 2021, the managers that performed well through covid are in good shape to deal with challenges on the horizon for 2022, say Churchill Asset Management’s Jason Strife and Randy Schwimmer.
The events of the past two years have raised awareness about the importance of a disciplined approach and strong balance sheets, so despite the ongoing pandemic and concerns about certain macroeconomic issues, many direct lenders and middle market companies have headed into 2022 in good shape, says Drew Guyette, chief credit officer and senior partner at Twin Brook Capital Partners.
Golub Capital Altman Index jumped 21%, and technology earnings soared 54%, compared to 2019.
Earnings growth of mid-market private companies surged more than 16% in the first two months of the year, but there are concerns that fiscal and monetary stimulus in the US are creating 'very substantial risks'.
As vaccination programmes began to make an impact on covid, confidence returned to the deal market. However, economic challenges and the ending of liquidity schemes mean predicting the future is not easy, write Jacco Brouwer and Greg Forde of Duff & Phelps.