Last Week at a Glance
Global equity indexes were mixed last week, as US markets inched higher but other developed markets posted minor losses.
Credit/Fixed Income
Last Month at a Glance
Global equities rebounded in April, more than offsetting March’s sell-off despite a renewed oil shock.
VantagePoint: The Rearview Mirror Problem
The conditions that rewarded concentrated exposure to US growth and technology stocks for much of the past decade are becoming less dependable. With valuations stretched and macro and geopolitical risks less benign, investors may be better served by reducing crowded exposures and rebuilding diversification across a broader set of opportunities.
A New Era of Dispersion in Direct Lending Favors Disciplined Managers
Direct lending has attracted significant institutional capital over the past decade, but that environment is now changing. In a more challenging landscape, we expect performance dispersion to emerge more clearly between managers, reinforcing the importance of manager selection and taking a diversified approach across strategies, geographies, and borrower segments.
US Private Families Should Revisit How Munis Fit Within a Broader Diversification Strategy
We believe US private families should continue to anchor the portion of the portfolio intended to diversify equity risk with munis, while being more selective about allocations to cash, Treasuries, and other taxable fixed income, given the shift in after-tax trade-offs.
Will the Iran War Force the ECB and BOE to Tighten as Much as Markets Expect?
No, we do not think so. While the European Central Bank and Bank of England have adopted a more hawkish tone in response to the Iran-driven energy shock, we believe markets are overpricing the amount of tightening that will ultimately be delivered.
Last Quarter at a Glance
Global equities declined in first quarter as early gains reversed sharply in March following the outbreak of the Iran War and the associated energy shock.
The Iran War: Impact on Energy, Inflation, and Markets
The war in Iran has triggered a historic disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, driving oil & gas prices higher and exposing vulnerable energy-importing regions. This shock is fueling concerns over higher inflation and rising bond yields, creating a volatile environment where commodities lead while global equities and traditional bond diversifiers underperform.
Should Credit Investors Be Concerned About Rising AI-Related Debt Issuance?
Yes. Credit investors should be concerned about rising artificial intelligence (AI)-related debt issuance for several reasons.
US Manager Universe Statistics: Fourth Quarter 2025
This publication presents manager performance for 37 asset classes and substrategies, showing the median, mean, and key percentiles of return. Relevant indexes for each asset class are also included to provide market context.