Okay, Sham Nish from the New York Times. Go ahead. >> How did the White House decide that it is appropriate for Jared Kushner to be working on matters that involve Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, three countries that combined have given him more than $2.5% billion for his investment firm.>> Now, I don't normally show Caroline Levit's responses to these briefing questions important so I can answer more questions, but this is a response you should really see. So, we're going to play this one. I think it's um fr ...

Investment Strategy - Private equity investment is being presented as a challenging but potentially rewarding strategy [1]

Core Viewpoint - The current economic environment presents challenges for the Federal Reserve, particularly in relation to mortgage rates and housing market activity, which are critical for economic recovery and growth [1][2][5]. Mortgage Market - Mortgage applications have decreased by 21%, indicating a decline in refinancing and new purchases, which are essential for stimulating the housing market [2]. - The average mortgage rate is around 3% to 3.5% for existing homeowners, suggesting that significant reductions in rates are necessary to encourage movement in the housing market [4]. - A mortgage rate in the low five percent range is seen as a threshold that could positively impact housing activity [4]. Valuations and Market Risks - There are concerns about high valuations in certain market segments, particularly when PE ratios approach 22, which historically signals caution among investors [6][7]. - High valuations may lead to lower forward returns, emphasizing the importance of buying at lower valuations for better long-term performance [8][9]. - The sustainability of high valuations is questioned, particularly in isolated market pockets where forward earnings are significantly elevated [9]. Private Equity and Credit - The performance of private equity firms like Apollo and Blackstone has been strong, but there are concerns regarding the quality of assets being acquired [10][11]. - Blue, a private equity firm, is highlighted for its significant exposure to payment-in-kind loans, which could pose risks if economic conditions worsen [13]. - Despite the risks, Blue is considered an attractive investment opportunity if the economy does not enter a recession, given its high yield and potential for recovery [13][14]. Stock Picks and Investment Strategy - Companies like Pepsi and Merck are identified as undervalued relative to their historical PE ratios, presenting contrarian investment opportunities [15][16]. - Merck's strong performance and potential for innovation through M&A are noted, alongside its solid dividend yield and cash reserves [16][17].

Australian investment manager IFM Investors will wind down its domestic private equity unit in coming years, citing a lack of scale to make it commercially viable and a focus on other global priorities https://t.co/1xI8s26NK6 ...

Investment Trends - European pension funds, endowments and other large pools of long-term money are re-exploring private equity investments in China [1] - This renewed interest comes after years of shunning the world's second-largest economy [1]

Kensington suspended investor withdrawals from its flagship private equity fund for at least 90 days, citing strained liquidity conditions and sluggish deal activity https://t.co/VOulkwvijM ...

Let's talk a little private equity here. We can do that with Jason Wright. He's a managing partner and head of investments at Ariel Project level. Jason, I know at Ariel you focus on a couple of areas, infrastructure and sports.We'll get to both of those infrastructure. Talk to us about where you're seeing opportunities here is in U.S. centric. Is it global.Are there certain industries that you guys find attractive where you spending your time these days. First, thank you for having me. We're excited about ...

Kedaara Capital, one of India’s largest local private equity firms, has closed its first continuation vehicle at $300 million, sources say https://t.co/9s9y5VLgME ...

Investment Opportunity & Potential Risk - Private equity in 401(k) plans presents potential risks and rewards [1] Industry Focus - The article discusses whether private equity is suitable for 401(k) plans [1]

Core Insights - Private investment firms are increasingly interested in local utilities that supply electricity to customers and support AI data centers, driven by the potential for significant financial returns [1][2][3] Investment Trends - Billions of dollars are being directed towards electric utilities in states like New Mexico, Texas, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, serving over 150 million customers [2] - The demand for infrastructure investment is heightened by the rapid expansion of AI technologies, particularly following the launch of OpenAI's ChatGPT in late 2022 [3] Major Deals and Developments - Blackstone is pursuing regulatory approval to acquire utilities such as the Public Service Company of New Mexico and Texas New Mexico Power Co [4] - Wisconsin has approved the buyout of the parent company of Superior Water, Light and Power, while Northern Indiana Public Service Co. sold a 19.9% stake to Blackstone [4] Regulatory Challenges - A contentious situation has arisen in Minnesota regarding the buyout of Allete, the parent company of Minnesota Power, which serves 150,000 customers and has diverse energy sources [5][6] - The outcome of the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission vote on October 3 could significantly impact the expansion strategies of private equity firms in the utility sector [5][7]