Private Debt Intelligence – 8/16/2021

THE LEAD|August 18, 2021

Content hub / Article / Private Debt Intelligence – 8/16/2021

Direct lending attracts most capital in H1 2021

Chart

Download Data

[wpdm_package id=’47708′]

Direct lending remains the most popular private debt strategy, with $14.7bn more capital raised in the first half of this year compared to H1 2020, despite a fall in the number of funds closed from 20 to 17. In distressed debt there were less than half the number of closes it saw last year (down to four from a previous nine closed funds), but the strategy barely lost in terms of aggregate capital raised, landing at $8.3bn as opposed to last year’s $9.7bn. The average fund size in private debt has been increasing this year compared to 2020, and it looks like this might continue.

(Past performance is no guarantee of future results.)

Contact: Laura Messchendorp
laura.messchendorp@preqin.com

Podcast

Business development companies and the rise of balance sheet financing vehicles

Fitch's Deb Murnin and Chelsea Richardson discuss the growing use of off-balance-sheet JVs and finance companies among BDCs, exploring the drivers, leverage impacts, portfolio risk profiles, and potential rating implications for Fitch-rated BDCs.

Listen

September 15-16, Hudson Yards, New York

Private Debt Investor New York Forum

Bringing together the investors, managers and advisers shaping the next phase of the market — 200+ allocators and $10.6 trillion of LP capital expected. Benchmark strategies, hear from leading LPs, and cut through market noise over two unmissable days.

Learn more

Report

US Private Credit League Tables H1'26

The definitive rankings covering private credit activity in H1'26.

Download

Report

PitchBook's Q2 2026 US PE Breakdown

Software freezes and energy powers on as US PE deal value falls 38% in Q2 2026.

Download

Webinar

Making sense of private credit defaults

What does private credit default data really tell us? Join our exclusive webinar featuring experts from KBRA, Moody's, Fitch Ratings, and S&P Global to find out.

Latest news

See all stories

Article | LevFin Insights

High-Yield Bond Statistics

August 13, 2026

Article | Octus

Software, consumer-related direct lending deals fell in H1'26

August 13, 2026

The software and technology sector, the second-most-active sector in 2025 at 17% of total deal activity, slid to fifth place in the first half of 2026.

Article | Chart of the Week

Unconquered Territory

August 12, 2026

With most of the map still unexplored, there’s room for a sequel.