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A potential presidential executive order to facilitate investment in private assets for U.S. retirement plans, including 401(k)s, would provide alternative investment managers (Alt IMs) an additional avenue of growth from the $12.2 trillion defined-contribution market.
While sustained increases in the size and diversity of AUM can be positive for Alt IM rating profiles, Fitch would weigh these against the accompanying potential regulatory, legal and reputational risks. Alt IMs are facing heightened disclosure requirements pertaining to liquidity, fees, valuations and potential conflicts of interest given the increased regulatory and political scrutiny of the size and interconnectedness of the private credit market.
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Top 50 BDCs Accounted for 75% of Nonaccrual Loan Cost in Q2’26
The 50 largest BDCs, on the basis of total debt investments as of the second quarter of 2026, accounted for 75% of the total aggregate reported value of nonaccrual debt at cost and fair value.
US private debt AUM ($B) by channel
In 2025 and the early part of 2026, the retail channel added AUM to the asset class at a much faster rate than institutional investors in both regions, with growth rates of 43.7% globally, 41.4% in the US, and 73. 1% in Europe through the beginning of 2026 compared with year-end 2024 figures.
