黑石又做了一个“违背祖宗的决定”

Core Viewpoint - Blackstone has resorted to a guaranteed return strategy to address fundraising difficulties, promising a 9.25% annual return for its European real estate fund, BEPIF, to attract investment from a large Asian institutional investor [2][4][6]. Group 1: Fundraising Challenges - Blackstone's BEPIF has struggled with fundraising, peaking at €1 billion but currently down to €625 million, facing over €100 million in redemption requests [5][4]. - The liquidity crisis in the global private equity (PE) industry, exacerbated by aggressive interest rate hikes from the Federal Reserve, has led to significant outflows from BEPIF [4][5]. Group 2: Guaranteed Return Strategy - The guaranteed return strategy is a rare move in the global PE industry, previously criticized for undermining industry fairness [2][10]. - Blackstone's previous use of this strategy in 2022 with the University of California involved a promise of 11.25% returns in exchange for a $4 billion investment, which was also aimed at resolving liquidity issues [8][10]. Group 3: Investment Opportunities - The recent €1 billion injection into BEPIF will not only alleviate liquidity issues but also allow for new investments, including the acquisition of a 50% stake in ArchCo, a UK real estate company, at a significantly reduced valuation [6][7]. - Blackstone's strategy aims to capitalize on opportunities in the European real estate market, enhancing its ownership in ArchCo while addressing liquidity concerns [7][8]. Group 4: Performance and Risks - Blackstone's previous guaranteed return agreement with the University of California has resulted in a $1 billion liability due to underperformance, with returns dropping to -0.5% in 2023 and only 1.95% projected for 2024 [10][11]. - The ongoing challenges faced by BEPIF and the implications of guaranteed returns highlight the risks associated with such strategies in the private equity sector [10][11].