Shane ObataBlackstone Group LPBXPAST TOP PICKMar 15, 2023

Excellent management team very strong at capital allocation. Focus on real estate created difficulties during higher interest rates. As rates stabilize, business will perform well. Will continue to own shares. 

Is up 20% in the past month. Private equity companies are benefitting huge from lower interest rates with the core business doing leveraged buyouts.  BX was down because of its exposure to real estate, but that's no longer a problem as interest rates have peaked.

Not negative on it. Well run. $1T of assets employed in the private markets. Will benefit from lower interest rates, could see positive moves off that. Not inexpensive. Watch, try to enter at a lower level.

Models $70 or 20% downside, but he thinks it will hit $43. The air is coming out of the balloon.

High real estate percentage in its portfolio. Likes the private equity space. Worried about commercial real estate amid higher interest rates, but not likely to take down the company. He owns KKR instead.

Still holds in income growth portfolio.
Was not expecting higher interest rates which has put pressure on company.
AUM still growing - $40 billion new cash in free funds to invest.
Expecting further growth going forward. 

Alternative assets are dominated by a few companies that have tremendous scale. Has really diversified beyond private equity. Caught up in market's concerns about real estate, but they're much less exposed than BN. Office represents just 2% of US real estate portfolio. 

Likely a difficult 6-18 months, but macro is close to rates peaking. Over $190B of dry powder. Best alt asset manager in the world. Can easily achieve over 15% growth in fee-related earnings over time. Yield is 3.52%. 

Trades at 15x PE as rates could hold for the rest of the year. Private equity companies do better when rates hold. Their portfolio and management are excellent.