Viewpoints

Private markets are innovating fast, opening new paths to diversification, income, and downside protection beyond traditional equities and bonds.

Asset-based finance (ABF) is a broad and expansive market that can serve as a complement to traditional private credit. Jim Moore, Head of Private Placements and ABF, shares his views on how to define ABF, who is investing in it, and what makes it attractive.

A short-duration allocation to emerging market (EM) corporate debt offers the potential for attractive carry, incremental yield and portfolio diversification—while reducing interest rate sensitivity and preserving flexibility to reposition as monetary conditions evolve.

Tight spreads meet elevated all‑in yields as policy uncertainty, AI capex, and uneven growth set the stage. We see selective opportunities across High Yield, CLOs, IG Credit, and EM Debt—with 2026 shaping up as a year for rigorous credit picking.

Direct lending isn’t fading—it’s evolving. In this Q&A, Orla Walsh shares her insights on growth, competition, and what disciplined managers need to know as the market matures.

Recently, Barings held its flagship private markets conference in Boston. This episode gives listeners and viewers a window into the conversations that Barings' clients, investment teams and industry thought leaders engaged in during the event.

Infrastructure debt has moved beyond toll roads to sectors like data centers and battery storage. For insurers, sub-IG infra debt can offer stability, yield and capital efficiency and can help achieve both financial and strategic objectives in today’s market.

Matthew Freund, President of Barings BDC, recently sat down with ausbiz’s Andrew Geoghegan to discuss the global momentum behind private credit, what it means for investors, and where Barings is seeing opportunities to deploy capital.

Commercial mortgages offer similar benefits as private debt along with the security and optionality of real estate equity. Amid a wave of refinancing
needs and reduced bank competition, non-bank lenders are finding stronger structures and better pricing opportunities.