Trade Tracker: Bryn Talkington buys Ares Capital Corp and Blue Owl Tech Finance

Core Viewpoint - The current credit issues in the market are being debated as either isolated incidents or indicative of broader systemic problems, with concerns about underwriting standards and the potential for more widespread impacts on the financial sector [1][10][12]. Group 1: Market Performance - Since September 24, alternative asset managers have seen significant declines, with Aries down 22%, KKR down 20%, Blue Owl down 15%, and Blackstone down 14% [3]. - Business Development Companies (BDCs) have also experienced losses, with Main Street Capital down 11% and Blackstone secured lending down 5% [4]. Group 2: Investment Strategies - Some investors, like Brent Talkington, argue that the current issues are overblown and are taking positions in Aries Capital and Blue Owl Tech, citing potential for recovery and transparency in their investments [4][6]. - Blue Owl focuses on software lending and has a diverse portfolio of 198 discrete tech investments, offering yields around 10% [7][20]. Group 3: Underwriting Standards - Concerns have been raised about the lowering of underwriting standards due to high demand for leveraged loans, which may expose weaknesses in the market [9][12]. - The private credit market is less regulated than traditional banking, leading to potential risks associated with loan quality and borrower profiles [12][16]. Group 4: Market Sentiment - There is a general sentiment of caution among investors regarding the private credit market, with some believing that the current issues could underpin broader market challenges [15]. - The ongoing pressure on consumers and the potential for increased defaults in subprime lending and auto lending are additional concerns for the market [14].