BlackRock pushes into private credit after HPS acquisition

The move positions the asset manager more directly against Blackstone and Apollo in direct lending, opening a new competitive front in alternative assets.

Summary

BlackRock is expanding further into private credit following its HPS acquisition, moving more decisively into direct lending, a market segment long dominated by Blackstone and Apollo. The development signals a broader escalation in competition among large asset managers as firms race to build scale in alternative assets, where private credit has become a major battleground for institutional capital.

Terms & Concepts
  • private credit: Non-bank lending to companies or projects
  • direct lending: Loans made directly to borrowers
  • alternative assets: Investments outside traditional stocks and bonds