Alternative asset managers, particularly Blackstone, have massively lagged the capital markets trade due to multiple derating, but fundamentals are strong with monetization expected to accelerate in the second half, creating an attractive valuation gap.
Speaker explicitly stated a preference to "lean" into StepStone and Ares due to their "faster growth" and "growth and value driven" models. These alternative asset managers have less reliance on the challenged wealth channel for private credit and are better positioned in institutional or other faster-growing market segments. Long due to superior growth prospects and business model differentiation within the asset manager space. A broader downturn in private market activity or spread widening that impacts all asset managers uniformly.
Speaker explicitly stated a preference to "lean" into StepStone and Ares due to their "faster growth" and "growth and value driven" models. These alternative asset managers have less reliance on the challenged wealth channel for private credit and are better positioned in institutional or other faster-growing market segments. Long due to superior growth prospects and business model differentiation within the asset manager space. A broader downturn in private market activity or spread widening that impacts all asset managers uniformly.