Middle market hedge fund managers are coping with a contradiction—as the world unravels due to Covid-19, the S&P 500 is nearing an all-time high. While the markets respond favorably to progress on a vaccine, money managers are looking to a future with a high degree of uncertainty around a possible ... READ MORE >
Anthony DeCandido
The back-to-school debate and its impact on the real economy
“Enjoy your summer!” teachers say when the school bells ring a final time and children race home to their families to begin summer. But summer has been far from enjoyable for U.S. families who carry the weight of making back-to-school plans amid an uncertain COVID-19 landscape. Yes, the warm weather ... READ MORE >
Public scrutiny over ESG holdings will cause universal reporting change
As environmental, social and governance investing continues to grow in popularity, investors need to carefully evaluate how their holdings will be viewed by the public. Asset managers must balance their desire to promote ESG consciousness with their fiduciary duty to drive financial returns. ESG funds ... READ MORE >
For private equity funds, bigger is not always better
The rise of billion-dollar private equity buyout funds reflects the growing demand from large investors willing to write big checks. Interest rates remain historically low and, with additional rate cuts almost certain to come, investors continue to expect high returns. The larger the fund, so the thinking ... READ MORE >
BDCs’ popularity unlikely to be slowed by recent Fed rate cut, but headwinds remain
Business development corporations are unlikely to lose their momentum in the near term, despite last week’s interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve and the ongoing trade conflict with China. BDCs—the companies that invest in financially distressed small to medium-size private businesses—have yet to be ... READ MORE >
Crowdfunding proves to widen the reach of companies seeking early-stage capital
In the past, companies looking for alternative funding would have tried their luck with venture capital and private equity firms. But the advent of crowdfunding—which offers Main Street investors the ability to make equity investments in growing businesses—has given some companies a boost they might not ... READ MORE >