Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company achieved a return on equity (ROE) of 10.6%, marking the twelfth consecutive quarter of double-digit ROE, based on adjusted net investment income (NII) per share of $0.40, reflecting strong earnings power [5][21] - The net asset value (NAV) per share was $15.03, down $0.11 from the prior quarter [6][21] - Adjusted NII per share increased by $0.01 compared to the prior quarter, driven by elevated one-time repayment income totaling $0.05 per share [21][22] - The company declared a supplemental dividend of $0.02 and a base dividend of $0.37 for the third quarter [22] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Approximately $1.1 billion of new investment commitments were deployed in the second quarter, with $906 million of fundings [12] - The debt portfolio maintained a conservative loan-to-value (LTV) ratio of 42% on average, supporting robust recoveries [16] - Revenue and EBITDA for portfolio borrowers increased by mid to high single digits year-over-year, with interest coverage rising to 1.9 times [17] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The deal environment in 2025 has been challenging, with muted M&A activity impacting overall deal flow [8] - The company noted a stabilization in spread pressure experienced last year, with direct lending spreads remaining tight but commanding a healthy premium over the broadly syndicated loan market [26][60] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is expanding into complementary strategies, including alternative credit and digital infrastructure, to access new investment opportunities [10][26] - A cross-platform equipment leasing joint venture was formed to enhance diversification and expand reach in new investment areas [10][15] - The company aims to maintain strong risk-adjusted returns regardless of economic conditions, supported by a defensively constructed portfolio and disciplined underwriting [11][26] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism about a potential rebound in deal activity in the second half of the year, citing increased engagement with private equity sponsors [28][45] - The company does not foresee significant stress in its portfolio, with a stable watch list and no material increase in amendment activity [18][66] - Management believes that the current economic environment is resilient, with portfolio companies continuing to perform well despite broader economic concerns [66] Other Important Information - The company ended the quarter with over $4 billion in total cash and capacity on its facilities, providing significant liquidity to invest in new opportunities [24] - The non-accrual rate was reported at 0.7% at fair value and 1.6% at cost, reflecting a slight increase due to one small position on the watch list [18] Q&A Session Summary Question: Where are we in terms of realizing synergies from the merger with OBD? - Management indicated that operational expense synergies have been realized, while financing synergies are expected to materialize over the next year [32][34] Question: Can you quantify how much of year-to-date originations have come from new business lines? - Management noted that the platform has expanded into new lines of business, but the impact on originations is still modest as they are just beginning to see deal flow [36][38] Question: What types of deals are being seen in the current environment? - Management highlighted a mix of public-to-private activity, refinancing, and add-on acquisition financing as potential deal types [44][46] Question: How does the company view leverage going forward? - Management stated that they are comfortable with current leverage levels and expect to maintain them unless deal activity picks up significantly [48] Question: What is the outlook for spreads in the current market? - Management believes spreads have troughed and may widen in the future, depending on market conditions [68] Question: How does the company plan to scale the equipment leasing business? - Management emphasized that while the equipment finance joint venture may not be a massive investment, it represents a diversification strategy that can create consistent returns [75][76]

Private credit is pulling out all the stops to attract retail investors with increasingly popular open-ended vehicles that are bringing a new set of risks for the fast-growing industry https://t.co/IsazskqhdI ...

Huw Van Steenis on the Next Big Thing in Private Credit https://t.co/ZC7Vpzc5Zo ...

A Blackstone fund further cut the value of a private credit loan for Thoma Bravo-backed software company Medallia, the vehicle’s largest holding https://t.co/vpNKz2x7kU ...

Core Viewpoint - Manulife Financial Corporation has announced the acquisition of 75% of Comvest Credit Partners for US$937.5 million, aiming to enhance its private credit asset management platform to a total of US$18.4 billion [1][5][9] Group 1: Acquisition Details - The acquisition will be funded entirely with cash on hand and is expected to be immediately accretive to core EPS, core ROE, and core EBITDA margin [7][5] - Comvest Credit Partners has US$14.7 billion on its platform and focuses on middle market direct lending, which complements Manulife's existing Senior Credit business [1][6] - The agreement includes potential additional consideration of up to US$337.5 million based on performance targets, with a mechanism for Manulife to acquire the remaining 25% in the future [7][22] Group 2: Strategic Rationale - The acquisition is part of Manulife's strategy to increase earnings from high-potential businesses and enhance its private markets platform [5][2] - Comvest's differentiated approach to private credit, including non-sponsor lending and specialty finance, aligns well with Manulife's existing capabilities [4][6] - The partnership is expected to unlock new opportunities and strengthen market position through shared synergies and a client-first mindset [3][5] Group 3: Leadership and Integration - Comvest's leadership will continue to guide the aligned private credit platform, ensuring no changes to the investment process or strategy [5][8] - Michael Falk, founder of Comvest, will serve as Senior Advisor and Board Member, while Robert O'Sullivan will lead the newly aligned business [8][9] - The transaction is anticipated to close in the fourth quarter of 2025, pending customary approvals [9]

Private Market Trends - Private markets are in the early stages of a super cycle, driven by democratization and demographic demand [2] - Convergence between public and private markets is occurring as a way to innovate and create new products to meet the needs of retirees [3][4] - The industry could grow well beyond $20 trillion, driven by the potential inclusion of private assets in individual retirement accounts (IRAs) [4] - Demographic trends are positive globally, supporting private market firms' ability to raise private credit funds and deploy capital in various regions [7] Investment Strategies & Asset Allocation - A mix of private credit and private equity products will be seen in IRAs and 401(k)s to enable diversification [11][12] - Adding private markets products into retirement accounts diversifies portfolios, which traditionally have low fees but potentially less impressive performance [8] - Private equity is facing challenges, while private credit is performing well [5] Challenges & Risks - Private equity vintages around the pandemic face write-downs and a tough exit environment [10] - Limited partners (LPs) are actively seeking liquidity in the secondary market due to the long-term nature of ten-year funds [18] - The economy is showing amber warning signs, and valuations are skating on thinner ice, with geopolitical risks and policy uncertainty being the biggest issues [19][20] Impact on Public Markets - Public markets have been on the back foot, with companies dropping out, leading to a difficult exit environment for private equity [13][14] - Additional trillions flowing into private equity firms will generate billions in management fees, benefiting the equity of these firms, which are often publicly traded [14] - A rebalancing from public dominance to a mix of public and private markets is expected over the next decade [15]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Record Fee Related Earnings (FRE) of $627 million, a 22% year-over-year increase [6][54] - Management fee growth of 21% year-over-year [6] - Record Asset Under Management (AUM) of $840 billion, a 22% year-over-year increase [54] - Strong inflows of $61 billion across the firm, with record AUM [7][49] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Credit business performed well with core opportunistic credit returning 9% over the latest twelve months and 23% quarter-over-quarter [8] - Private equity business showed strong performance with Fund 10 net IRR at 23% and Fund 9 at 16.6% [9][10] - Retirement Services saw $21 billion of inflows, marking the second strongest organic quarter [14][58] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Significant demand for retirement services products driven by demographic trends [14][22] - Inflows from Athene reached $21 billion, with strong performance in fixed index annuities [52] - The annuity market has expanded significantly compared to previous years [14] Company Strategy and Development Direction - Focus on origination and maintaining high-quality spread in a competitive environment [17][33] - Expansion into European markets with strategic investments and partnerships [24][43] - Emphasis on innovation in product offerings to meet evolving market demands [35][98] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the business's health and future growth potential despite current market challenges [66][68] - Anticipation of regulatory changes that could enhance market opportunities, particularly in the UK [81] - Management highlighted the importance of adapting to market conditions and innovating to maintain competitive advantage [67][68] Other Important Information - The company is on track to exceed its 2025 goals with strong momentum across all metrics [54][56] - The acquisition of Bridge Investment Group is expected to close in early September, with anticipated contributions to FRE in 2026 [59] Q&A Session Summary Question: Credit spread dynamics and impact on insurance business - Management noted that while credit spreads have tightened, they are successfully pivoting origination to maintain spreads and profitability [62][64] - The business is healthy, and as previous high-profit business runs off, a meaningful increase in SRE is expected [65][66] Question: Potential FRE impacts from Athora PIC acquisition - Management expects the transaction to be accretive to Athora's valuation and FRE over time, creating a significant origination ecosystem in the UK [76][78] Question: Scalability of ABC following ADS success - Management indicated strong early approvals and a clear path for ABC to follow ADS's success, leveraging their origination capabilities [84][86] Question: Drivers of recent earnings power and throughput - The integrated toolbox approach and increased leverage in direct lending have significantly accelerated origination capabilities [88][90] Question: Outlook for inflows in Retirement Services - Management is focusing on developing capabilities in stable value products, which are expected to drive growth in the future [94][96]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Fundings for the quarter totaled $73 million, with exits and prepayments at $82 million, resulting in net originations of negative $9 million [6][7] - Interest income decreased by 2.3% to $20.9 million, while the weighted average portfolio yield increased by 20 basis points to 12.8% [12][7] - Net investment income remained flat at $11.3 million, with net realized losses of $3.6 million primarily related to a specific investment [7][13] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The portfolio turnover did not materially impact the investment mix, with 70% of new originations being first lien debt [9] - The company maintained a conservative leverage position with debt at 64% of NAV, which increased to 81% of NAV post-quarter [11][15] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company continues to see a healthy flow of attractive lower middle market deal opportunities, with 88% of recent deals being first lien investments [10] - The average closing leverage for new deals was three times EBITDA, with an average margin over SOFR exceeding 7% [10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company remains focused on growth-oriented lower middle market investments backed by private equity sponsors [19] - The strategy includes recycling investment exits to support portfolio growth and shareholder distributions [11][19] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the health of the portfolio, citing well-articulated growth strategies among investments [24] - Concerns about economic headwinds were acknowledged, but the company believes its investments can withstand these challenges due to conservative leverage and cash flow generation [26][27] Other Important Information - Total assets rose to $780 million, with liabilities primarily consisting of senior notes and a line of credit [13][14] - Monthly distributions for August and September will be $0.0165 per common share, translating to an annual run rate of $1.98 per share [15] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of private credit growth on spreads - Management noted that while there is some pressure from sponsors, they have successfully resisted significant reductions in spreads, maintaining an average above 7% over SOFR [21][22] Question: Overall health of the portfolio amid economic uncertainty - Management indicated that most investments have solid growth strategies and can withstand economic headwinds, with a focus on long-term growth rather than short-term economic fluctuations [24][26] Question: Changes in portfolio structure to boost yields - Management clarified that there is no fundamental strategy change, but they are exploring opportunities to manage yield targets through selective second lien and asset-backed facilities [30][32] Question: Leverage ratio and prepayment patterns - Management confirmed the leverage ratio increase to 81% of NAV and noted that prepayments have been unpredictable, typically occurring when companies are up for sale [37][39] Question: Financing options for upcoming debt maturity - Management is evaluating various options for addressing the upcoming debt maturity, expressing some disappointment with current market spreads [41] Question: Future pipeline and backlog outlook - Management expects a healthy number of additional investments and anticipates net originations in the range of $50 million to $100 million per quarter [44][46] Question: Activity level and December quarter expectations - Management expressed cautious optimism for a strong Q4, traditionally a busy quarter, while acknowledging economic uncertainties that may affect deal closures [53][55]

KKR has hired Goldman Sachs’s Ken Murata as a managing director for its credit business in Japan, as the country becomes a key market for the private credit boom in Asia. https://t.co/k15hoTE8Gy ...

Labor Market & Economic Outlook - US labor market shows warning signs with payrolls tumbling and unemployment rate rising, indicating a deceleration in job gains [1][2] - Concerns mount over a complicated mix for the Federal Reserve to deal with, leading to expectations of potential rate cuts in September and December [2][3] - Slowing services wages suggest a potential slowdown in consumption and the overall economy, justifying lower interest rates even without a formal recession [19] - The economy is structurally sound, but current policy may be suboptimal, with rates disproportionately hurting lower-income households as housing and labor markets slow [9][10] Interest Rate & Monetary Policy - Fed rate cut bets for September have reached nearly 90%, a significant increase from 45% prior to jobs data, with two rate cuts priced in for the year [6] - The Cleveland Fed President acknowledges a tricky time for monetary policy makers due to conflicting mandates, requiring careful data analysis and business conversations [7][8] - The market anticipates bull steepening as the economy slows and the Fed cuts rates, potentially spurring inflation or growth, leading to a V-shaped recovery [12] - Neutral rate is difficult to determine, potentially higher than expected due to shifts in household and business debt structures, allowing for higher interest rates with a robust economy [17][18] Bond Market & Credit Issuance - US high-grade weekly volume reached $12 million, driven by foreign bank sales, while July volume was $81 billion, the lightest month for supply this year [29] - US high-yield July volumes exceeded $35 billion, marking the second busiest month since September 2021 and the busiest since at least 2006 [30] - Leveraged loan launches in July set a record, reaching over $222 billion, the fourth time in 14 months an all-time record has been broken [30] - Private sector holds $225 trillion in cash, exceeding marketable Treasury debt, with only $29 trillion in high-quality bonds, creating a transcendent influence on the market [26][27]