Family Office & RIA Weekly Roundup | 10.03.24 | Volume 123
(5 Min. Read)
The LBO Market Sees a Resurgence, Private Banking Shifts Towards Real Assets, and Tech Giants Trigger an ETF Rebalance in this Week's Edition...
Take a Lap Around the Industry
Big Banks and Private Equity Giants Team Up
Big banks and private equity firms are forming strategic alliances to tap into the rapidly growing $1.7 trillion private credit market. Citigroup and Apollo Global Management recently announced a $25 billion private credit fund, making it the largest partnership of its kind. This collaboration offers direct lending solutions without burdening Citigroup’s balance sheet, providing flexibility in client financing. These alliances are reshaping Wall Street's approach to credit markets as traditional banks face tighter regulations. Private credit, fueled by rising interest rates, has expanded dramatically over the past decade, with more deals expected to shift from public banks to private funds. As more banks pursue similar ventures, from BNP Paribas to Wells Fargo, the lines between traditional banking and nonbank financial firms continue to blur. Experts believe the trend will accelerate, with trillions in loans transitioning to private credit over the next decade, but concerns remain about the unmonitored risks outside the regulated banking system.
"Bank and private equity giant will clients with a range of options to meet their evolving financing needs.”
Viswas Raghavan (Citigroup)
Private Funding Pulse Check
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Private Banks Shift Focus to Real Assets as Inflation and Volatility Persist
Private banks are increasingly guiding their clients toward real assets—such as commodities, infrastructure, and real estate—amid economic uncertainty and market volatility. As inflation persists and interest rates remain unpredictable, these tangible investments are seen as offering more stability, long-term returns, and a hedge against inflation. Wealth managers are shifting focus to under-invested areas like infrastructure, where demand for energy and data centers is rising. With global electricity consumption set to grow and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations gaining importance, real assets are becoming more attractive. High-net-worth individuals are favoring direct investments in these sectors, seeking greater control and transparency over their portfolios.
"If you think about infrastructure, private clients historically have been under-invested in it. It’s a relatively new part of the real asset class base, compared with commodities and real estate."
Edmund Shing (BNP Paribas Wealth Management)
Tech Giants--Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia--Trigger ETF Rebalances Amid Concentration Rule Challenges
The rising valuations of Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia, each exceeding $3 trillion in market cap, have created challenges for fund-concentration rules within major ETFs like the SPDR fund, which tracks the S&P 500’s tech sector. Together, these three giants account for more than 60% of the sector’s market value, clashing with federal rules that cap the combined weight of large stocks at 50%. To comply, funds like SPDR have had to repeatedly adjust stock weightings, leading to significant sales of Apple shares and purchases of Nvidia, even as Apple remains a larger company. This dynamic has surprised many passive investors who expect minimal disruptions in index-tracking funds. S&P recently updated its methodology to prevent further rebalances that disproportionately affect certain stocks. The incident highlights the growing influence of tech companies in financial markets and the limitations of passive investing strategies in maintaining diversification.
“What really brought this to public lexicon was the rise of Nvidia. This is the first time you’ve ever had three stocks with a market cap over $3 trillion in the same sector.”
Matthew Bartolini (State Street)
Debt Markets Reignite LBO Activity: Sanofi’s Opella Draws Major Bids
The leveraged buyout (LBO) market is seeing a resurgence as financing conditions improve, making debt more accessible and affordable for private equity deals. A prime example is Sanofi’s potential sale of its €15 billion consumer health business, Opella, which has attracted bids from private equity firms like Clayton, Dubilier & Rice and PAI Partners. Over 20 banks and private credit lenders have shown interest in financing the deal, with debt packages amounting to seven times Opella’s expected EBITDA. This trend reflects broader market conditions where the percentage of European LBOs completed with leverage between six and seven times EBITDA has nearly doubled since last year. Lower interest rates and strong demand for high-yield debt are driving competition between banks and private lenders. However, while debt is more available, high valuations mean that private equity bidders may still need to invest substantial equity to close deals.