The Insight: Conversations – Walking into the Unknown with Howard Marks, David Rosenberg, and Aman Kumar
Jan 4, 2024
auto_awesome
Listen to Howard Marks, David Rosenberg, and Aman Kumar as they discuss the concept of normalcy in financial markets and interest rates, the challenge of changing perspectives, factors driving the market rally, monitoring consumer spending, and the volatility in the life sciences public equity market.
Investors should question what is considered normal in financial markets and adapt their strategies to changing conditions.
There is an attractive opportunity for lenders to provide capital to fast-growing life sciences companies and earn equity-like returns with reduced risk.
Deep dives
Questioning the Notion of Normal in Financial Markets
Howard Marks, co-chairman of Oaktree Capital, emphasizes the importance of questioning what is considered normal in financial markets. In a world where declining and ultra-low interest rates have been the norm for over 40 years, Marks argues that investors need to understand historical context and recognize when the current period deviates from the norm. He cautions against expecting the same result in a new environment and highlights the need to adapt investment strategies to changing market conditions.
Life Sciences Lending: A Compelling Opportunity
Amidst the recent volatility in the life sciences public equity market, there has been a significant increase in non-dilutive financing opportunities for direct lenders. The equity market decline and the cost of equity capital have pushed more companies to seek alternative options for financing their capital-intensive operations. Direct lending in the life sciences sector has witnessed a growth in pipeline opportunities, as companies look for non-dilutive funding sources to extend their liquidity runway. This presents an attractive opportunity for lenders to provide capital to fast-growing life sciences companies and earn equity-like returns with reduced risk.
M&A Activity and Private Debt Financing in Biotech
Although the biotech sector experienced a slowdown in M&A activity recently, there is a growing interest from strategic and life sciences-focused private equity firms for targeted sub-sectors such as oncology and central nervous system treatments. With low valuations and substantial dry powder, many companies are seeking to extend their liquidity runway through acquisitions or private debt financing. Smaller companies gaining regulatory approvals are also attracting attention as large pharmaceutical firms seek to fill their pipelines with new assets and product offerings.
Risks and Mitigation Strategies in Life Sciences Investing
Investing in the biotech sector involves risks related to regulations, reimbursement, and competition. To mitigate these risks, careful structuring of credit agreements with bespoke governance is crucial. Selecting companies that have already received regulatory approval and focusing on innovative life-saving products with limited competition during the loan tenor can minimize the impact of regulatory changes. Additionally, actively managing and monitoring companies allows lenders to intervene early and work with management to execute remedial action plans when necessary.
What is a “normal” investment environment? What might a recession in 2024 mean for liquid credit? What’s happening in life sciences lending today? Find out by listening to the latest episode of The Insight: Conversations with Howard Marks (Co-Chairman), David Rosenberg (Co-Portfolio Manager, Global Credit), and Aman Kumar (Co-Portfolio Manager, Life Sciences Lending). They discuss topics from the December edition of The Roundup: Top Takeaways from Oaktree’s Quarterly Letters and consider what investors should focus on as we enter 2024 – and what remains unknowable.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode