Core Viewpoint - The private equity sector, particularly firms like Blackstone and Apollo, is experiencing a reduction in price targets but remains favored for long-term investment despite recent market challenges [1][4][6]. Group 1: Company Performance - Evercore has lowered price targets for Blackstone from 197 to 180 and for Apollo from 160 to 145, while maintaining an outperform rating for both [1]. - Blackstone is set to report earnings soon, which may influence market sentiment [1]. - Apollo's stock has shown a rebound of approximately 3.5% recently, while other firms like Aries and Blue Owl have also seen gains [11]. Group 2: Market Trends - The alternative investment space, including private equity and private credit, is gaining traction as more advisors allocate investor funds into these products [2][4]. - The financial sector has underperformed in October, with healthcare up 5% and financials down 2%, indicating a shift towards quality investments [5][6]. - There is a growing interest in private infrastructure investments due to funding shortages in government and municipalities, suggesting a new avenue for private equity firms [7][8]. Group 3: Competitive Landscape - The private equity market is becoming increasingly competitive, with a notable auction receiving 36 bids, highlighting the intense interest in this sector [9]. - The IPO market for traditional manufacturing companies, typically owned by private equity firms, has not yet opened, posing a challenge for these firms [10].