Differentiated Opportunities for Special Situations Investing
Feb 13, 2025
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Angelo Rufino, a Partner at Bain Capital and expert in special situations investing, joins Bridget Walsh to discuss unique opportunities in the investment landscape. He highlights the balance between risk and reward in hybrid investment strategies. Rufino shares insights on asset-based financing, especially in aviation and real estate post-COVID. They delve into managing special situations, emphasizing tailored approaches and strong management teams. Additionally, they explore the potential of early-stage asset classes in today’s volatile market.
Special Situations investing has evolved to balance private credit and equity characteristics, enabling unique hybrid deal structures for investors.
A thematic and sector-focused approach, combined with tailored due diligence, is crucial for identifying differentiated investment opportunities in this space.
Deep dives
Differentiated Opportunities in Special Situations Investing
Special Situations investing has evolved significantly over the past decade, transitioning from a focus on distressed assets in secondary markets to a more nuanced approach that balances private credit and private equity characteristics. Investors in this space seek to capture the upside potential of equity while maintaining downside protection typically associated with debt-like investments. This hybrid model enables funds to structure deals that offer unique return profiles, including convertible features and warrants, which enhance potential gains. For instance, investing in aviation during the pandemic illustrated how capitalizing on stabilized markets can yield favorable outcomes through strategic execution.
Asset-Based Financing as a Core Investment Strategy
Asset-based finance represents one of the three core archetypes in Special Situations investing, mirroring trends observed in corporate private credit. This asset class is particularly attractive due to a landscape where banks are divesting such investments from their balance sheets, creating opportunities for specialized investors. Engaging in sectors like aviation leasing post-COVID demonstrates the ability to leverage high cash-flowing assets and the supply-demand imbalance in capital. Investments in various origination assets, such as business purpose loans and home equity contracts, emphasize the depth and early-stage development of this area.
Sourcing and Collaborating with Management Teams
A thematic approach is essential for sourcing deals, emphasizing cyclical and secular trends while engaging specific industry-focused teams. Due diligence often requires extensive preparation to address unique challenges faced by management teams, whether through offensive or defensive capital solutions. By presenting tailored recommendations, investors can effectively communicate how their strategic support will enhance business operations or resolve financial issues. The interplay between the investor's operational expertise and the management's vision is crucial in fostering successful partnerships, reflecting Bain Capital's commitment to building long-lasting relationships.
Angelo Rufino, Partner and Head of Special Situations in North America and Head of Corporate Special Situations in Europe for Bain Capital, joins Bridget Walsh, EY Global Head of Private Equity. In this episode Angelo shares his insights on the differentiated opportunities for Special Situations investing. 17 mins.
The views of third parties set out in this podcast are not necessarily the views of the global EY organization or its member firms. Moreover, they should be seen in the context of the time they were made.
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