Diversified lending focuses on directly originating loans to middle and upper-middle market companies that are diversified by borrower, sector, sponsor, and position size.
Diversified lending's market growth over the past decade has been driven by two main trends:
We believe these trends are expected to persist, potentially fueling the opportunity.
Learn more about the direct lending asset class, diversified lending strategy and potential benefits for borrowers and investors.
Direct lending is where a single or a small group of non-bank lenders (or direct lenders) provide financing solutions directly to a private company (or borrower) who often seek loans to finance growth opportunities and their day-to-day operations.
The direct lender and borrower directly negotiate customized solutions that suit the needs of both parties. These borrowers are typically privately held and/or owned by private equity firms and are looking for a reliable alternative to a bank.
Diversified lending is a private credit strategy within direct lending, and our strategy focuses on directly originating loans to middle and upper-middle market companies that are diversified by borrower, sector, sponsor, and position size.
Our portfolio spans 30+ industries for a balanced and strategic approach to portfolio construction.
Direct lending offers borrowers several potentials benefits, including but not limited to:
Direct lending offers investors several potential benefits, including but not limited to:
Direct lending is where a single or a small group of non-bank lenders (or direct lenders) provide financing solutions directly to a private company (or borrower) who often seek loans to finance growth opportunities and their day-to-day operations.
The direct lender and borrower directly negotiate customized solutions that suit the needs of both parties. These borrowers are typically privately held and/or owned by private equity firms and are looking for a reliable alternative to a bank.
Diversified lending is a private credit strategy within direct lending, and our strategy focuses on directly originating loans to middle and upper-middle market companies that are diversified by borrower, sector, sponsor, and position size.
Our portfolio spans 30+ industries for a balanced and strategic approach to portfolio construction.
Direct lending offers borrowers several potentials benefits, including but not limited to:
Direct lending offers investors several potential benefits, including but not limited to:
Diversified lending provides investors access to the private markets alongside three key potential benefits.
Direct loans have historically earned higher yields compared to traditional fixed income.
With senior secured loans and tighter lending covenants, direct lending may offer risk mitigation measures.
Diversified lending offers investors exposure to private companies across a wide range of sectors and end markets.
Direct lending has provided an 8% total return or higher approximately 78% of the time.
Cliffwater Direct Lending Index Performance
As a market leader in direct lending, we’re differentiated by our scale, independence, investment approach and track record.
Our robust sponsor network of private equity partners, combined with our disciplined underwriting process, has driven our strong credit performance.
Our highly selective investment process – from deal sourcing and deal screening to due diligence and investment committee review – has resulted in ~530 total deals closed, approximately 5% of all deals sourced.
We have deployed $118B+, while achieving an annual loss rate of 0.11% across the direct lending platform.
Our relationship-oriented approach provides private companies with sizeable commitments to facilitate transactions and support their growth needs with certainty, speed and transparency throughout the investment process.
Our independent origination process is driven by our extensive network of industry contacts and portfolio company relationships.
We undertake an exhaustive review of financial information while working closely with private equity sponsors.
Our thorough review process is focused on identifying and mitigating risk, including onsite visits and company management meetings.
We evaluate opportunity and risk-adjusted return with a focus on asset coverage and collateral that seeks to attain risk mitigation and preservation of capital.
Upon final review of business growth and approval of deal terms, timeline and all credit agreements, investment is allocated as appropriate.
Our ongoing and proactive review process includes regular contact with portfolio company management teams and private equity sponsors.
Our independent origination process is driven by our extensive network of industry contacts and portfolio company relationships.
We undertake an exhaustive review of financial information while working closely with private equity sponsors.
Our thorough review process is focused on identifying and mitigating risk, including onsite visits and company management meetings.
We evaluate opportunity and risk-adjusted return with a focus on asset coverage and collateral that seeks to attain risk mitigation and preservation of capital.
Upon final review of business growth and approval of deal terms, timeline and all credit agreements, investment is allocated as appropriate.
Our ongoing and proactive review process includes regular contact with portfolio company management teams and private equity sponsors.
Through a perpetually non-traded business development company (BDC), we offer one diversified lending solution, OCIC, that provide investors access points to our Credit platform.
Reach out to member of our Private Wealth team today.
Individual investors, please contact your financial advisor for more information.
Endnotes
Important information
Unless otherwise noted the Report Date referenced herein is as of December 31, 2024.
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Assets Under Management (“AUM”) refers to the assets that we manage and is generally equal to the sum of (i) net asset value (“NAV”); (ii) drawn and undrawn debt; (iii) uncalled capital commitments; (iv) total managed assets for certain Credit and Real Assets products; and (v) par value of collateral for collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”) and other securitizations.
The webpage presented is proprietary information regarding Blue Owl Capital Inc. (“Blue Owl”), its affiliates and investment program, funds sponsored by Blue Owl, including the Blue Owl Credit, GP Strategic Capital Funds and the Real Assets Funds (collectively the “Blue Owl Funds”) as well as investment held by the Blue Owl Funds.
An investment in the Fund or other investment vehicle entails a high degree of risk. Prospective investors should consider all of the risk factors set forth in the "Certain Risk Factors and Actual and Potential Conflicts of Interest" of the PPM or Prospectus, each of which could have an adverse effect on the Fund or other investment vehicle and on the value of Interests.
An investment in the Fund or other investment vehicle is suitable only for sophisticated investors and requires the financial ability and willingness to accept the high risks and lack of liquidity associated with an investment in the Fund or other investment vehicle. Investors in the Fund or other investment vehicle must be prepared to bear such risks for an indefinite period of time. There will be restrictions on transferring interests in the Fund or other investment vehicle, and the investment performance of the Fund or other investment vehicle may be volatile. Investors must be prepared to hold their interests in the Fund or other investment vehicle until its dissolution and should have the financial ability and willingness to accept the risk characteristics of the Fund's or other investment vehicle’s investments.
There can be no assurances or guarantees that the Fund's or other investment vehicles investment objectives will be realized that the Fund's or other investment vehicle investment strategy will prove successful or that investors will not lose all or a portion of their investment in the Fund.
Furthermore, investors should not construe the performance of any predecessor funds or other investment vehicle as providing any assurances or predictive value regarding future performance of the Fund.
The views expressed and, except as otherwise indicated, the information provided are as of the report date and are subject to change, update, revision, verification, and amendment, materially or otherwise, without notice, as market or other conditions change. Since these conditions can change frequently, there can be no assurance that the trends described herein will continue or that any forecasts are accurate. In addition, certain of the statements contained in this webpage may be statements of future expectations and other forward-looking statements that are based on the current views and assumptions of Blue Owl and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties (including those discussed below) that could cause actual results, performance, or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. These statements may be forward-looking by reason of context or identified by words such as “may, will, should, expects, plans, intends, anticipates, believes, estimates, predicts, potential or continue” and other similar expressions. Neither Blue Owl, its affiliates, nor any of Blue Owl’s or its affiliates' respective advisers, members, directors, officers, partners, agents, representatives or employees or any other person (collectively the “Blue Owl Entities”) is under any obligation to update or keep current the information contained in this webpage.
This webpage contains information from third party sources which Blue Owl has not verified. No representation or warranty, express or implied, is given by or on behalf of the Blue Owl Entities as to the accuracy, fairness, correctness or completeness of the information or opinions contained in this webpage and no liability whatsoever (in negligence or otherwise) is accepted by the Blue Owl Entities for any loss howsoever arising, directly or indirectly, from any use of this webpage or its contents, or otherwise arising in connection therewith.
All investments are subject to risk, including the loss of the principal amount invested. These risks may include limited operating history, uncertain distributions, inconsistent valuation of the portfolio, changing interest rates, leveraging of assets, reliance on the investment advisor, potential conflicts of interest, payment of substantial fees to the investment advisor and the dealer manager, potential illiquidity, and liquidation at more or less than the original amount invested. Diversification will not guarantee profitability or protection against loss. Performance may be volatile, and the NAV may fluctuate.
This webpage is for informational purposes only and is not an offer or a solicitation to sell or subscribe for any fund or other investment vehicle and does not constitute investment, legal, regulatory, business, tax, financial, accounting, or other advice or a recommendation regarding any securities of Blue Owl, of any fund or investment vehicle managed by Blue Owl, or of any other issuer of securities. Only a definitive offering document (i.e.: Prospectus or Private Placement Memorandum or other offering material) can make such an offer. Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Attorney General of the State of New York nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if the Prospectus, Private Placement Memorandum or other offering material is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense. Securities are offered through Blue Owl Securities LLC, member of FINRA/SIPC, as Dealer Manager.