iCapital Chairman and CEO Lawrence Calcano Talks Private Markets
Oct 7, 2024
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Lawrence Calcano, Chairman and CEO of iCapital, shares insights on his firm's impressive milestone of surpassing $200 billion in assets. He discusses the evolving dynamics in private markets, emphasizing the rising interest in private credit and the strategic advantages of floating rate products. Calcano also highlights the importance of integrating private assets into investment portfolios, especially for retail investors, while addressing liquidity challenges. The conversation navigates the decline of IPOs and predicts a future where private investments play a crucial role in equity strategies.
The significant increase in private credit investments, driven by favorable yields and shorter durations, highlights investors' search for stability amidst economic volatility.
The rise of evergreen investment structures indicates a transformative shift in private market engagement, catering to evolving investor needs and enhancing access to capital.
Deep dives
Growth in Private Credit Investments
Recent trends indicate a significant shift toward private credit investments, which have garnered increased interest due to their shorter duration and floating rate characteristics. As interest rates have risen to 5-6%, private credit portfolios have generated returns of about 10%, making them particularly attractive in a volatile economic climate. Year-to-date flows into private credit projects have reached 41%, surpassing the 34% allocation towards private equity, reflecting a notable change from previous years. This transition underscores how investors are seeking stability and favorable yields amidst uncertain market conditions.
Changing Structures in Private Market Investments
An important development in private markets is the rise of evergreen investment structures, which are attracting a growing number of accredited investors. This marks a departure from traditional private placements and allows for more flexibility in accessing capital. Approximately 60% of flows year-to-date are attributed to these innovative structures, suggesting a shift in how investors are looking to engage with private assets. Understanding the implications of these structures is crucial, as they provide opportunities for investment while catering to the evolving needs of investors.
The Role of Private Assets in Investment Portfolios
Private assets play a critical role in the overall investment strategy for many high-net-worth individuals and institutions, often comprising 15-25% of recommended allocations. The rationale behind incorporating private investments lies in their potential for incremental returns and diversification, despite some liquidity challenges. As the landscape of public markets continues to evolve, with fewer IPOs and increasing delistings, investors are recognizing the growing importance of private companies in achieving a well-rounded portfolio. This shift suggests that in future investment strategies, private and public markets will increasingly blend, making private assets a core component of an investor's overall allocation.
iCapital chairman and CEO Lawrence Calcano talks about his firm surpassing $200 billion in global platform assets and more with hosts Katie Greifeld and Sonali Basak.