USA Economic Forum

Don't miss the most important event for national and global investors and industry leaders. Join the USA Economic Forum and be part of shaping America's growth. #middlemarket #energy #nationalsecurity #alternativeinvestments #alternativefinancing #privatecredit #privateequity #venturecapital #defense #infrastrcuture

???? ???????? ?????????????? ???????? ?????????? ???? Manufacturing plays a huge role in the U.S. economy. In the third quarter of 2024, manufacturers added $2.93 trillion to the economy, up from $2.91 trillion in the previous quarter. Manufacturing made up 10% of the U.S. gross domestic product during that period. If it were its own country, the U.S. manufacturing sector would be the seventh-largest economy in the world. Additionally, manufacturing has a strong ripple effect on the economy. For every dollar spent on manufacturing, it creates $2.69 in total economic activity. This is one of the largest impacts of any sector. Trade has recovered since the pandemic, with U.S. exports of manufactured goods reaching a record $1.6 trillion in 2023. Manufacturing also supports a large supply chain, creating demand for raw materials, logistics, and services that help other industries grow. In January 2025, more than 13 million people worked for more than 244,000 manufacturers in the U.S., according to the?National Association of Manufacturers - NAM. This is higher than pre-pandemic levels. These jobs pay well, averaging more than $102,000 a year, provide benefits like health insurance, and give hard-working Americans across our country the ability to provide for their families. Most U.S. manufacturing companies are surprisingly small. More than 93% have fewer than 100 employees, and nearly 75% have fewer than 20. What’s not surprising is that smaller manufacturers often don’t have the financial resources to access private-sector services like consulting, advanced technology, or specialized workforce training. MEP Centers help fill this gap by providing affordable, local support to help manufacturers build a skilled workforce, leading to long-term job stability and economic security for American workers. In the 21st century, American innovation continues to improve manufacturing, making it faster, stronger, and smarter. According to the United States Department of Defense,?manufacturing is the main driver of innovation in the U.S., responsible for 55% of all patents. The?National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES)?notes that manufacturing companies performed $326 billion – or 54% – of all domestic research and development in 2021. Original Post: https://lnkd.in/edtqQtmS Author: Katie Rapp, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

What BlackRock’s Natural Capital Approach Means for Middle-Market Companies and What They Should Do About It What’s Happening? BlackRock, one of the biggest investment companies in the world, is focusing on something called natural capital—which includes land, water, and wildlife. They believe businesses that depend on these natural resources should take better care of them to stay profitable in the long run. Why Should Middle-Market Companies Care? How You Run Your Business Matters If your business relies on land, water, or nature—like farming, manufacturing, or energy—you need to think about how these resources might run out or become more expensive. More here: #middlemarket #investmentbanker #sustainable #manufacturing #alternativeinvesting #sustainablefinance

?? Private credit is a critical topic in our country. ?? Jamie Dimon is making it clear—J.P. Morgan isn't stepping back from private credit. With a $50 billion commitment from its balance sheet and $15 billion from strategic co-lenders, JPMorgan is directly challenging the $2 trillion private credit market dominated by BlackRock, Apollo Global Management, Inc., and Blackstone. Unlike alternative asset managers, the bank is leveraging its 80,000 global corporate clients, including 32,000 middle-market companies—a segment private lenders struggle to penetrate. Jamie Dimon's stance is bold, but the reality is more nuanced. Banks may not be "ceding the floor," but their position in private credit is fundamentally different from alternative asset managers. ?????????? ????. ?????????????? ????????????: ?????? ???????????????????? ???????????? Regulatory Arbitrage Still Favors Private Credit! JPMorgan's move is aggressive, but banks remain subject to Basel III capital requirements, stress tests, and regulatory scrutiny that private lenders don’t face. Apollo, Blackstone, and Ares Management Corporation can take on higher leverage, structure bespoke deals, and move faster. ????????????????'?? ?????? ???? ?????????? ???????????????????????? The $50B commitment sounds massive, but it's a fraction of the $2T private credit market and JPMorgan’s $4T+ balance sheet. By comparison: Blackstone Credit & Insurance: $292B AUM Apollo Private Credit: $440B AUM Ares Management: $428B AUM Alternative managers aren't losing sleep over this. ???????????????????????? ?????????????? ????. ?????????? & ?????????????????????? JPMorgan highlights its client relationships as an edge. But middle-market firms turn to private credit precisely because they need speed, customization, and certainty of execution—something banks struggle to match. ?????????? ????????????????????, ?????? ?????????????????? ?????????????? ?????????????? JPMorgan itself is co-investing with private credit funds ($15B with strategic co-lenders). This signals that banks recognize they can’t do it alone. Many banks already originate and distribute private credit deals, rather than holding them on balance sheets. ??????????????: ?????? ?????????? ???? ????????, ?????? ?????? ?????? ???? ?????????????????? Banks will be players in private credit, but the narrative that they’re taking back control is overstated. The risk-adjusted returns still favor alternative lenders without regulatory constraints. Expect more partnerships between banks and private credit funds rather than a winner-takes-all scenario. Final Thought: Jamie Dimon isn’t wrong—JPMorgan won’t "cede the floor." But private credit's dominance isn’t just about who’s willing to lend; it’s about how and why borrowers choose them. Private lenders still have the edge. Join the most Powerful Capital Network for National Priorities at the USA Economic Forum and Alternative Financing and Investment Network (AFIN)

?? A $16 Billion Bet on Distress: What It Means for Middle Market Companies ?? Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. just closed the largest distressed debt fund in history (!!!) —$16 billion. This isn’t just a record-breaking raise—it’s a signal. For years, private credit has been the golden child, with firms like Ares Management Corporation raising a massive $34 billion for direct lending. But while private credit fuels growth, distressed debt thrives in downturns. And right now, the cracks in the economy are widening. Why This Matters for the Middle Market ?? Interest rates are still high ?? Inflation is crushing margins ?? A tsunami of debt is about to mature This is a dangerous mix for middle-market businesses—the backbone of the U.S. economy. Many who relied on flexible financing now face a harsher reality: higher borrowing costs, shrinking liquidity, and tighter credit markets. Oaktree’s move signals that distress is coming—and they’re ready to capitalize on it. ?? What Oaktree is Targeting Their $16B Opportunistic Credit fund is laser-focused on: ? Rescue financings – Lifelines for businesses on the edge ? Debtor-in-possession financings – Funding during bankruptcy to survive & restructure ? Exit financings – Helping businesses recover & reposition ? Loan portfolios – Buying distressed debt in bulk from banks ? Opportunistic capital solutions – Custom funding for complex situations ?? $7B already deployed into 150+ businesses (especially in healthcare & telecom) means they’re moving fast. Will your company be next? ?? A Wake-Up Call for CEOs and legal and financial advisors If you’re running a middle-market business, this is the time to reassess your capital strategy. The “cheap money” era is over. Debt taken under better conditions might soon become unmanageable. ?? When banks say no, who will step in? ?? If you’re thriving, how can you capitalize on distressed opportunities? The contrast between Oaktree’s distressed debt fund & Ares’ private credit fund tells a bigger story: capital is shifting. With $788B+ in distressed assets projected in the U.S., the next two years will define who survives—and who doesn’t. What do you think? Are businesses prepared for the rising wave of distress? Drop your thoughts in the comments! ?? #middlemarket #investmentbanking #restructuring #alternativecapital #alternativefinancing #alternativeinvesting #familyoffice #allocators #industrials #manufacturing #privateequity #privatecredit #directlending

Join leading Alternatives Investors and Government Funds Shaping the Future. #middlemarket #investmentbanking #investmentbanker #capitalraising #industrials #manufacturing #alternativefinancing #alternativeinvesting #impactinvesting #alternativeinvestor #familyoffice #privateequity #privatedebt #directlending

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The US plans to create a sovereign wealth fund. This will be the U.S.'s first sovereign wealth fund, which is likely to be established within the next twelve months. However, the fund’s structure, governance model, funding mechanism, and investment strategy are still unclear. Sovereign wealth funds are widespread across the Middle East and Asia, where countries utilize their surplus funds to invest and diversify their economies. SWFs typically invest in public and private markets, such as equities, credit, commodities, and, more recently, digital assets. #markets #privateequity #investing #investmentbanking #finance #alternativeinvesting #alternativefinance #middlemarket

The US plans to create a sovereign wealth fund. This will be the U.S.'s first sovereign wealth fund, which is likely to be established within the next twelve months. However, the fund’s structure, governance model, funding mechanism, and investment strategy are still unclear. Sovereign wealth funds are widespread across the Middle East and Asia, where countries utilize their surplus funds to invest and diversify their economies. SWFs typically invest in public and private markets, such as equities, credit, commodities, and, more recently, digital assets. #markets #privateequity #investing #investmentbanking #finance #alternativeinvesting #alternativefinance #middlemarket

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