Among publicly traded alternative asset managers, Ares Management has the biggest gap between its premium brand and reality. Blackstone is overrated because its entire business revolves around marketing rather than investment skill. Blue Owl Capital is the most underrated; despite bad public relations, its underwriting quality is stronger than the market believes.
Ares Capital (ARCC) is overvalued relative to FS KKR Capital (FSK). Both BDCs hold around 60% in software loans, but ARCC has more subordinated debt and trades at a tiny discount to NAV while FSK trades at a 50% discount. The market's professional preference for ARCC is unwarranted, making ARCC a crowded long and FSK a deep-value opportunity.
Among publicly traded alternative asset managers, Ares Management has the biggest gap between its premium brand and reality. Blackstone is overrated because its entire business revolves around marketing rather than investment skill. Blue Owl Capital is the most underrated; despite bad public relations, its underwriting quality is stronger than the market believes.