Besides COVID, the elections, and what the fifth instalment of the Scream series will be called (it’s not Scream 5), what’s getting the most attention is SPACs, or special purpose acquisition companies. These are publicly traded shells with cash looking to buy businesses. SPACs were originally designed to help smaller companies access public equity. For […]
Answer: For most of US history, it was March 4, not January 20.Question: What is Inauguration Day? We found ourselves channeling our inner Alex Trebek this week as the nation’s attention began shifting from elections to vaccines. Pfizer’s trial results sent Wall Street to record highs. But on Main Street rising infections are propelling a […]
Given all that’s gone on this year, it’s unsurprising that Election Day came and went, with only a big “TBD” to show for it. Results now are mostly in, but this uncertainty had little impact on the capital markets. The S&P had its best week since April and bond yields sank only mildly. As is […]
150 million US adults will “participate in Halloween-related activities,” according to a survey. 53% will decorate their homes and 18% will “dress up their pet.” We tried to imagine getting our cat Serena into a pumpkin costume. Not happening. But we are encouraged Americans are spending for the second-costliest holiday of the year. Putting cash […]
We were sad to hear of Coca-Cola’s decision last week to discontinue Tab by year end. Launched in 1963 Tab was a pop culture icon, appearing in Back to the Future and Ghostbusters. But competition from Diet Coke spelled its demise. It takes superior management to keep brands vital. Remember Scooter Pies, Quisp, or FudgeTown […]
The journal Astrobiology has highlighted 24 planets that could possibly sustain life. Criteria for “superhabitability” include stars younger than the Sun and atmospheres with warmth and moisture greater than Earth. All these planets are over 100 light years away – not ideal for COVID getaways. But for those who don’t mind long trips with the […]
“If you liked private credit before, you’ll really like it now.” That’s the way one practioner neatly summed up how investors should be thinking about the asset class in a COVD environment. The trends supporting that thesis this year should continue well into 2021. A sizzling economy doesn’t really help credit. No worry there. Unemployment […]
With all the distractions of the moment, it’s hard to remember that US GDP dropped 33% in the second quarter – the sharpest decline in history. It looks, though, like the third quarter is poised for one of the biggest economic rebounds, with estimates around 30%, depending on the impact of stimulus programs that have […]
We mentioned last week the SuperReturn North America Virtual conference, where we heard participants on the pandemic’s impact on private credit terms, structures and portfolio performance. But what about new business? A lot depends on managers’ strategies. Institutional investors had expected a downturn for a while. Significant capital was raised to take advantage of fall-out […]
A private credit practitioner would have found no better place to spend the week than at the SuperReturn North America Virtual conference. As chair of Day One, and on three lender panels your correspondent had a front row seat listening to GPs and LPs describe how they were dealing with the effects of COVID-19 on […]