Permira Credit has successfully priced its inaugural US collateralized loan obligation (CLO) at $430.6 million (£360 million) and its eleventh European CLO at €406.6 million. This marks Permira's entry into the US CLO market, having been active in Europe since 2007, where it now manages €3.9 billion in CLO assets.

Ariadna Stefanescu, co-head of Permira Credit, emphasized the significance of this milestone, stating that the firm has been targeting the US market for some time. She expressed optimism about leveraging their successful investment strategies from Europe to capitalize on opportunities in the US credit market.

The US CLO operations will be led by a specialized team, including portfolio manager Jared Adler and CLO structurer Doug Schwartz, among others. The strategy will mirror that of their European counterpart, focusing on resilient sectors like technology and healthcare, while emphasizing active management and responsible investing.

In a broader context, a recent bfinance survey revealed that over half of institutional investors plan to increase their exposure to private markets, with 35% specifically targeting private debt. This reflects a strategic shift, as 44% of wealth managers are either making their first investments in private markets or increasing their allocations to open-ended funds.

Despite expectations of a reduced illiquidity premium, nearly half of the investors indicated that this would not alter their asset allocation strategies. Additionally, 37% are looking to enhance their exposure to secondary markets, driven by a growing demand for private market assets amid changing economic conditions.

Meanwhile, Ambienta's Sustainable Credit Opportunities fund has expanded significantly since its launch, screening over 200 deals and executing six this year. The fund focuses on companies with strong environmental sustainability themes, showcasing a commitment to responsible investing.

Overall, the developments at Permira and the insights from the bfinance survey highlight a robust interest in private credit and sustainable investment strategies, indicating a dynamic shift in the investment landscape.