Private credit firms can help companies raise money more quickly and with more flexibility than traditional lenders. Many everyday investors can't buy into big private credit funds, but they can get exposure to the space through the stocks of some of the biggest private lenders. Hamilton still sees upside in buying private credit firms, especially one stock. "Our credit and insurance teams had a remarkable year in 2023, with gross returns of 16.4% in the private credit strategies and 13% in liquid credit. There are also private credit firms that trade outside of the U.S., for investors who are able to buy stocks in foreign markets.

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Persons: Matthew Bass, Morgan Stanley, Bruce Hamilton, Hamilton, Blackstone, Jonathan Gray, Morgan Stanley's Organizations: Federal Reserve, Companies, Apollo Global Management, APO, KKR, Intermediate Capital Group Locations: Preqin, U.S