The latest from private markets

Blackstone announced the final close of its largest Asia-focused private equity fund at US$13.1 billion, increasing capital available for investments across the Asia-Pacific region.

Viking reported approximately $18.8 of private equity AUM and 71 current portfolio companies.

Fortress priced its third European CLO, expanding its European performing credit platform. The vehicle primarily invests in senior secured, first lien broadly syndicated loans. Fortress stated that it has issued approximately $41.5B of CLOs since 2004.

Davidson Kempner's merger-arbitrage team was publicly discussing a potential "complexity premium" from increasingly complicated global M&A regulation.

Pemberton reported continued refinancing activity in H1 2026 improving M&A activity in Q2 and a more active expected second half. It reported mid-market single-B direct-lending pricing at roughly 250-290 bps above comparable broadly syndicated loans and leverage around 4.5x.

KKR and Capital Group announced a new interval fund combining public equities with KKR-managed private equity investments, expanding private market access for wealth management investors.

Pershing Square Holdings announced the appointment of Ranjani Kearsley as an independent non-executive director.

Fortress published its 2026 Mid-Year Outlook, taking a 'cautious, but selectively constructive' stance. The firm highlighted inflation, rates, geopolitical risk, cash flows, uncorrelated returns and discipline around long duration equity as key portfolio considerations.

Firm identified regulatory complexity as a potential source of additional merger-arbitrage spread as global M&A activity recovers.

BCPP continued positioning its UK Opportunities strategy around life sciences, housing, commercial logistics and energy infrastructure as long-term UK investment themes.

ART reported more than A$1.2 billion of new infrastructure commitments during the June quarter and additional private equity, property and alternative investments.

Shaun Manuell was appointed CIO effective 01 July 2026, having previously served as Head of Australian Equities for 13 years, overseeing growth in internally managed Australian equities from $1 billion to more than $100 billion.

Through Global Atlantic, KKR expanded its insurance asset management strategy in Europe by pursuing partnerships with insurers and pension risk transfer opportunities.

Viking reported capital of more than $56.8 across public and private investments.

Third Point made significant changes to its disclosed U.S. equity holdings, including a new 20 million share Warner Bros. Discovery position valued at approximately $533.2 million at quarter end. It also initiated positions in Keysight Technologies, Block and Flex, while exiting Nvidia, Broadcom, KLA, Lam Research, VanEck Semiconductor ETF and Meta.

Blackstone Credit & Insurance launched SablePointe Credit Strategies, a new platform to strengthen origination, underwriting, and portfolio management capabilities across asset-based lending and specialty credit markets.

Invesco highlighted real estate and private credit, including direct lending and AAA rated CLOs, as potential sources of income and diversification.

Barbara Ginet was appointed Head of Treasury, Europe, strengthening European liquidity, funding and balance sheet capabilities.

Invesco remained overweight on direct lending and real estate credit, citing attractive income potential and improving transaction activity.

L&G appoints Zoe Wimborne as Group Chief Risk Officer. Date: June 2026. Type: Leadership. Content: Legal & General announced the appointment of Zoe Wimborne as Group Chief Risk Officer. She joins the Group Executive Committee and will lead the firm's enterprise risk management function, strengthening governance and risk oversight across the business.

Ares Raises $12.7 Billion to Invest in Asset-Based Finance Through the Pathfinder Closed-End Strategy

Crescent closed its fourth U.S. direct-lending fund, its largest fund to date, with more than $5.5B of equity commitments and $10.8B of total investable capital including leverage and SMAs.

Fourth Strategic Capital vintage closed above its €2.5–€3 B target. Total commitments across four vintages reached €8.3 B.

LaSalle sought additional capital for its evergreen U.S. Real Estate Debt Strategy after raising approximately US$700 million in commitments. Strengthens real estate debt platform and lending capacity.

AustralianSuper appointed Shaun Manuell as CIO, effective 01 July 2026, succeeding Mark Delaney. Manuell previously led Australian Equities for 13 years.

Mark Gray joined the ART Board and Grant Smith was appointed adviser to the Investment and Valuation Oversight Committees as part of governance succession planning.

Sarah Carney was appointed AustralianSuper's first Head of AI and Automation, strengthening the Fund's enterprise technology and investment support capabilities.

JPMAM published its updated alternatives framework highlighting diversification and potential income/alpha opportunities from private markets and alternative strategies.

Legal & General announced that its Lifetime Advantage Funds have grown to £25 billion in assets under management while exceeding a 10% allocation to private markets. The milestone reflects the firm's strategy of increasing exposure to private market assets within defined contribution retirement solutions to enhance long-term investment outcomes for members.

StepStone hired Taylor Benson as Head of U.S. Defined Contribution to expand its retirement-market offering and help DC plan fiduciaries integrate diversified private-market exposure.