Private Credit’s Hidden Software Risk
Top private credit funds Apollo, Ares, Blackstone, and Blue Owl understate software exposure, averaging 25% vs. 19% reported. Blackstone leads at 33%, Blue Owl nearly doubles its reported share. Rising AI fears make this sector a key driver of record fund withdrawals, highlighting larger-than-expected risks. Source: Will Schryver, The Wall Street Journal, Global Markets Investor
US private credit is diverging from public markets at an alarming pace
This comes as the private credit market faces growing investor scrutiny over valuations, underwriting standards, and rising redemption requests from clients. There is also increasing concern that AI will disrupt the software companies that make up a large portion of private credit portfolios. Historically, the private credit proxy index has had a 94% correlation with high yield credit spreads. If the correlation reasserts, we could see a spike in high yield credit spreads, which could eventually spread into stocks and trigger a bear market. Credit markets tend to lead equities, and right now, they are flashing a clear warning. Source: Bloomberg, Global Markets Investor, Macrobond
Ares Restricts Withdrawals Amid Private Credit Surge
Ares Management capped withdrawals at 5% from its $10.7B private credit fund after $1.2B in redemption requests, fulfilling only ~$524M. The fund still grew due to $708M in new commitments, but liquidity stress is rising across the $2T private credit market, with $13B requested this quarter and $4.6B unmet. Concerns over loan quality, slower PE exits, and aging LBOs are driving investor caution. Despite this, Ares reports a healthy portfolio and ~$5B liquidity, highlighting opportunity for long-term holders. Source: Financial Times
This is notable news from Bloomberg given Apollo's standing in private credit:
"Apollo Global Management Inc. is curbing redemptions from one of its largest non-traded private credit funds for retail investors, becoming the latest alternative asset manager to grapple with a surge in such requests. The $25 billion business development company, Apollo Debt Solutions, capped withdrawals at 5% of outstanding shares Monday after clients sought to redeem 11.2%." Source: Mo El Erian on X, Bloomberg
Private credit exploded over the past decade
Source: The Icahnist
This is not good news for a market segment that is already challenged to separate signal from noise...
Source: Bloomberg, Mo El Erian
Private Credit Faces Early-Year Withdrawal Pressure
In Q1, wealthy investors requested over $10B from major private credit funds. Blackstone, BlackRock, and Morgan Stanley are limiting withdrawals to ~70%. Apollo, Ares, and Goldman Sachs will report soon. Though small relative to $1.5T in direct lending, private credit’s fast growth and $9T U.S. retirement exposure mean liquidity strains could test the model’s foundations. Temporary squeeze or early warning? Source: FT
Private credit managers: “If you think debt is impaired, private equity is really cooked”
Also private credit managers: Source: @LeylaKuni, Gain.pro
