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]