Private Credit Giants Curb Buyout Lending Spree in Big Shift
- Large direct lenders are paring deal sizes on recession fears
- Higher debt prices and lower leverage make LBOs more difficult
The Blackstone headquarters in New York.
Photographer: Mark Abramson/BloombergThe giants of private credit -- the only game in town lately for big-ticket leveraged buyouts -- are dialing back on risk, in a turning point that threatens to reduce crucial financing for mega deals.
Blackstone Inc., Apollo Global Management Inc., Ares Management Corp., KKR & Co., Antares Capital LP and the asset management arm of Goldman Sachs Group Inc. are cutting the amount of debt they’re providing per deal as recession risk rises, according to people with knowledge of the matter who aren’t authorized to speak publicly. They’re also asking for, and getting, higher yields on financing packages with less leverage, while commanding stronger investor protections in case corporate borrowers go under, the people said.