ASIC is setting its sights on the private markets sector, flagging it will pay particular attention to the surging popularity of opaque private debt investments.

The Australian Securities & Investments Commission has released a discussion paper on the dynamics between public and private markets and is seeking submissions and engagement from participants in Australia’s capital markets, their advisers and other interested persons on important issues and implications arising from evolving changes in Australia’s capital markets.

Given markets discounting a hard landing, it makes sense to prepare for the worst rather than hope for the best.

As traditional banks retract from commercial lending, private credit emerges as a compelling alternative. In the latest episode of the Portfolio Construction podcast, Paul O’Connor, Head of Investment at Netwealth, and Pete Robinson, Head of Strategy at Challenger Investment Management, offer insightful perspectives on the rise of private credit and the inherent challenges, such as lack of transparency, higher credit risk, and lower liquidity.