Insights

Nobody Knows (Yet Again)

On Monday, September 15, 2008, shortly after the close of the New York Stock Exchange, Lehman Brothers surprised the world by filing for bankruptcy. This came on the heels of rescues/bankruptcies of Bear Stearns and Merrill Lynch and was followed quite soon by more of the same at Wachovia, Washington Mutual, and AIG. Market participants quickly concluded that the U.S. financial sector was on the verge of melting down

Latest blueprint, from VC leading firm XAnge, on early-stage companies

The fundraising climate is dynamic, with higher levels of activity compared to pre-2021 benchmarks.The venture industry is more active than any time before 2021, with over 500 rounds of $2M+ raised by European startups in Q1 2024. Valuations are more heavily weighted towards earnings than revenues. In Q2 2024, EBITDA multiples generally rose, while revenue multiples fell.

Castlelake wisdom with regards to lenders diversifying away from cash flow-based lending

After a decade of booming activity in mid-market direct lending, many lenders are eyeing an opportunity to diversify away from cash flow-based lending into more esoteric asset-based finance. Whether lending against portfolios of performing or non-performing consumer loans, music royalties or trade finance receivables, the asset-based credit landscape is a fast-expanding frontier for creative lenders.