As I conclude another remarkable summer filled with interning at Ariel Investments, cherishing moments with family in both Singapore and India, and embracing new learning opportunities, I wanted to share some reflections and insights I gained from my internship experience in the financial industry.
#1: Generosity Leads to Success
Extensive research consistently demonstrates that individuals who invest in the growth and prosperity of others tend to achieve the greatest success in the long run. In Adam Grant's enlightening book "Give and Take," he highlights the stark contrast in mindsets between givers and takers - with takers primarily focused on self-advancement, while givers pay keen attention to the needs of others. Whether it's through sharing energy, skills, or valuable connections, these are the individuals everyone seeks to surround themselves with. This summer, I had the privilege of encountering many such generous souls, and I am deeply grateful for their invaluable mentorship. Auyana Orr, Benne Rosner, CFA, Michael McKay, David Hornik, I extend my heartfelt thanks for guiding me on this journey of learning, assisting me in making difficult decisions, and dedicating your precious time to my success. To the freshmen and sophomores in college, I extend an open invitation for virtual coffee chats to share my experiences and offer mentorship in any way I can.
#2: Seize the Opportunity: Private Credit
In our current economic landscape, we are witnessing a unique interplay of macroeconomic factors. With the escalation of interest rates and reduced competition from lenders, the Credit asset class is poised for growth. In the period before the financial crisis, M&A activity was primarily financed by public debt markets or banks. However, due to evolving regulatory shifts, the public debt market became less accessible for many smaller to mid-sized businesses. Consequently, we are now observing a surge of Private Credit Investors engaging in these M&A transactions. Furthermore, here are three compelling reasons why I believe Private Credit represents an exceptional investment opportunity in the present climate:
1. In an environment of rising interest rates, investors in private loans stand to benefit from higher interest payments.
2. The current high volatility and constrained liquidity create a favorable environment for negotiating advantageous terms on new debt.
3. New credit deals also enjoy the advantage of being established in a higher absolute rate environment.
I am eagerly anticipating what my junior year holds for me and am enthusiastic about further delving into these markets and establishing connections with new, like-minded individuals.
Portfolio and Transformation Analyst @ AustralianSuper | Strategy, Finance
1moCam - Keep this on your radar, each grad I’ve met has shown huge potential in their own way and style.