In this episode of the Exchange, Craig Emanuel, Tim Whybourne and Ryan Loehr reflect on the 2024 year that’s been and discuss possibilities for 2025.

Trump 2.0; ballooning global deficits; interest rate policy; protectionist policy, geopolitical tension and global equity valuations that look expensive.

There’s a lot to take in. So how should investors be positioning? Tune in to this partners episode to learn more.

Disclaimer:
The information in this podcast series is for general financial educational purposes only, should not be considered financial advice and is only intended for wholesale clients. That means the information does not consider your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider if the information is appropriate for you and your needs. You should always consult your trusted licensed professional adviser before making any investment decision.

In this episode, Managing Partner Tim Whybourne catches up with serial entrepreneur, venture capitalist and TV personality Steve Baxter. They discuss everything from Steves's background, his early wins in business through to his latest venture investing in anything defence-related where many other funds are not able to.

Steve grew up in north QLD before joining the Military at the age of 15 taking on a military apprenticeship in engineering, electronics, and telecoms. His career in the Army spanned 9 years before he left to launch his first start-up called SE Net from his bedroom. This business was eventually acquired by OZemail under the stewardship of ex-Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. In 2001 Baxter teamed up with his schoolmate and serial tech entrepreneur, Bevan Slattery to launch his second start-up in Pipe Networks before selling that to TPG in 2010. Steve founded River City Labs, Brisbane’s well-known co-working hub in 2012 and has been championing Australian startups and entrepreneurs ever since. He has appeared as a ‘Shark’ on Channel 10’s Shark Tank Australia since 2014.

In this episode, we discuss Steves's latest venture in his new fund called Beaten Zone Ventures which aims to invest in early-stage defence businesses that are developing weapons and systems to assist with holding, aiming and controlling weapons in addition to training soldiers to protect them from opposition lethality.

Disclaimer:
The information in this podcast series is for general financial educational purposes only, should not be considered financial advice and is only intended for wholesale clients. That means the information does not consider your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider if the information is appropriate for you and your needs. You should always consult your trusted licensed professional adviser before making any investment decision.

In this episode, Partner and Private Wealth Advisor Ryan Loehr speaks with Armen Panossian, the co-CEO of Oaktree Capital. Oaktree is one of the most renowned investment businesses in the world, most famous for its capability in distressed debt and heavily influenced by Howard Marks who co-founded the business nearly 30 years ago. Beyond distressed debt, Oaktree oversees more than $193B for investors, which include most of the largest US pension funds; many sovereign wealth funds; endowments, large institutions and family offices. The business invests across credit, private equity, real estate and listed equities.

Armen joined the firm in 2007, immediately before it navigated the Global Financial Crisis in 2008 very successfully; and prior to this, worked in distressed debt with Pequot Capital Management, at the time one of the largest hedge funds globally. He holds a B.A. degree in economics with honors and distinction from Stanford University; an M.S. degree in health services research from Stanford Medical School; a J.D. degree from Harvard Law School; and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. Mr. Panossian serves on the Advisory Board of the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research. He is a member of the State Bar of California.

We explore a broad range of topics, including the conditions and settings that can make distressed debt investing attractive; example transactions that it has been successful with; and the timing of Oaktree's $15B+ raise for its largest distressed debt fund. We explore the dramatic shift in monetary policy and credit conditions over recent years and its implications; and observe segments of corporate America that are under increasing pressure, especially small-business. We then turn our conversation to private credit, including increased competition in this segment, key risks, relative appeal vs. other asset classes: risks and opportunities that eventuate from illiquidity, structuring, speed and scale; and the anticipated 'funding gap' that companies may face over 2026 and 2027. I hope you enjoy this episode.

Disclaimer:
The information in this podcast series is for general financial educational purposes only, should not be considered financial advice and is only intended for wholesale clients. That means the information does not consider your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider if the information is appropriate for you and your needs. You should always consult your trusted licensed professional adviser before making any investment decision.