Blackstone Podcast

Blackstone Q4 and Full Year 2019 Earnings Call

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Insights from Blackstone’s Private Equity Portfolio

Several times a year, Blackstone surveys a subset of our private equity portfolio companies’ CEOs about the challenges and opportunities their businesses are facing. It’s just one example of how we gain insights from the scale and breadth of our portfolio.

In the latest episode of the Blackstone Podcast, we bring some of those insights to our listeners. Prakash Melwani, chief investment officer of Blackstone’s private equity group, joins Chief Investment Strategist Joe Zidle to discuss Blackstone’s CEO survey and what it can tell us about corporate confidence and activity today.

 

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The views expressed in this commentary are the personal views of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Blackstone Group Inc. (together with its affiliates, “Blackstone”). The views expressed reflect the current views of the speakers as of the date hereof and Blackstone undertakes no responsibility to advise you of any changes in the views expressed herein.

Neither this blog post, nor the podcast nor any of the information contained herein or therein constitutes an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any security or instrument in or to participate in any trading strategy with any Blackstone fund or other investment vehicle.

Past performance is not indicative of future results and there is no assurance that any Blackstone fund will achieve its objectives or avoid significant losses. This blog post and the podcast may contain forward-looking statements; such statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties.

For information about Blackstone's business, including risks and financial information, please refer to our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For additional information, see Blackstone’s public filings at ir.blackstone.com.

Behind the Deal: Merlin Entertainments

In this episode of Behind the Deal, we sit down with Blackstone’s Global Head of Private Equity, Joe Baratta, and Senior Managing Director Peter Wallace to discuss our recent acquisition of Merlin Entertainments, a global leader in family entertainment and theme parks. Merlin operates more than 130 attractions in 25 countries, featuring iconic brands that range from LEGOLAND to Madame Tussauds. With more than 67 million guests annually, Merlin is the second-largest visitor attraction business worldwide.

In this podcast, Joe and Peter discuss Blackstone’s history building Merlin into a global leader, and our long-term investment plans to help the company continue to expand. They also share their perspectives on the opportunity in live entertainment, one of our high-conviction investment themes. 

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Neither this podcast nor any of the information contained herein or therein constitutes an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any security or instrument in or to participate in any trading strategy with any Blackstone fund or other investment vehicle.

Past performance is not indicative of future results and there is no assurance that any Blackstone fund will achieve its objectives or avoid significant losses. This blog post and the podcast may contain forward-looking statements; such statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties.

For information about Blackstone's business, including risks and financial information, please refer to our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For additional information, see Blackstone’s public filings at ir.blackstone.com.

The Opportunity in Life Sciences

In the latest episode of the Blackstone Podcast, Nick Galakatos, Head of Blackstone Life Sciences, highlights the growing demand for capital across the life sciences industry, and how BXLS is helping bring vital but underfunded medicines and technologies to market. Nick also shares his background as a scientist and an investor, and discusses the therapeutic and disease areas that hold the most promise for meaningful impact. 

 

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Neither this podcast, nor any of the information contained herein or therein constitutes an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any security or instrument in or to participate in any trading strategy with any Blackstone fund or other investment vehicle.

Past performance is not indicative of future results and there is no assurance that any Blackstone fund will achieve its objectives or avoid significant losses. This blog post and the podcast may contain forward-looking statements; such statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties.

For information about Blackstone's business, including risks and financial information, please refer to our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For additional information, see Blackstone’s public filings at ir.blackstone.com.

Joe Zidle: Rising Recession Risk

An inverted yield curve, excess global liquidity, and ongoing trade tensions with China: Chief Investment Strategist Joe Zidle argues that these three issues are key to understanding where the global economy is headed in the coming year. Tune in to learn why he believes that “the countdown timer” on the end of this economic expansion has started.

For more insights from Joe Zidle, subscribe to his market commentary.

Subscribe to the Blackstone Podcast

 

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The views expressed in this commentary are the personal views of the speaker and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Blackstone Group Inc. (together with its affiliates, “Blackstone”). The views expressed reflect the current views of the speaker as of the date hereof and Blackstone undertakes no responsibility to advise you of any changes in the views expressed herein.

Neither this blog post, nor the podcast nor any of the information contained herein or therein constitutes an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any security or instrument in or to participate in any trading strategy with any Blackstone fund or other investment vehicle.

Past performance is not indicative of future results and there is no assurance that any Blackstone fund will achieve its objectives or avoid significant losses. This blog post and the podcast may contain forward-looking statements; such statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties.

For information about Blackstone's business, including risks and financial information, please refer to our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For additional information, see Blackstone’s public filings at ir.blackstone.com.

Joe Zidle: US-China Tariffs Both Bark and Bite

In this episode of the Blackstone Podcast, Chief Investment Strategist Joe Zidle argues that the United States and China will eventually reach a trade deal, but that markets will likely experience more volatility in the interim. Click below to hear his expectations for the tariffs’ impact on growth, corporate profits, and risk assets.

 

For more market insights from Joe Zidle, subscribe to his market commentary.

 

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The views expressed in this commentary are the personal views of the speaker and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Blackstone Group L.P. (together with its affiliates, “Blackstone”). The views expressed reflect the current views of the speaker as of the date hereof and Blackstone undertakes no responsibility to advise you of any changes in the views expressed herein.

Neither this blog post, nor the podcast nor any of the information contained herein or therein constitutes an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any security or instrument in or to participate in any trading strategy with any Blackstone fund or other investment vehicle.

Past performance is not indicative of future results and there is no assurance that any Blackstone fund will achieve its objectives or avoid significant losses. This blog post and the podcast may contain forward-looking statements; such statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties.

For information about Blackstone's business, including risks and financial information, please refer to our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For additional information, see Blackstone’s public filings at ir.blackstone.com.

Joe Zidle: Finding Value Later in the Cycle with Richard Bernstein

In the most recent episode of the Blackstone Podcast, Chief Investment Strategist Joe Zidle sat down with Richard Bernstein of Richard Bernstein Advisors for a wide-ranging discussion on today’s market and economic conditions. Joe and Rich covered a range of topics, including monetary policy, recession risk, and where we are in the current business cycle.

Richard Bernstein is Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Richard Bernstein Advisors, a macro-focused investment management firm founded in 2009 that manages ETF portfolios, mutual funds, unit investment trusts, and ETFs for a range of individual and institutional clients.

For more market insights from Joe Zidle, subscribe to his market commentary.

 

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The views expressed in this commentary are the personal views of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Blackstone Group L.P. (together with its affiliates, “Blackstone”). The views expressed reflect the current views of the speakers as of the date hereof and Blackstone undertakes no responsibility to advise you of any changes in the views expressed herein.

Neither this blog post, nor the podcast nor any of the information contained herein or therein constitutes an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any security or instrument in or to participate in any trading strategy with any Blackstone fund or other investment vehicle.

Past performance is not indicative of future results and there is no assurance that any Blackstone fund will achieve its objectives or avoid significant losses. This blog post and the podcast may contain forward-looking statements; such statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties.

For information about Blackstone's business, including risks and financial information, please refer to our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For additional information, see Blackstone’s public filings at ir.blackstone.com.

The GSO Quarterly Credit Brief: Catching Up on Global Markets with Joe Zidle

In this episode, Dwight Scott sits down with Joe Zidle, Blackstone’s Chief Investment Strategist, to exchange views on the state of the markets and the economy. Joe discusses the durability of the current economic expansion, the continuation of dovish central bank policy, and increasing headwinds to earnings growth. Dwight then shares his perspectives on the implications of this backdrop for credit investors. He also weighs in on recent debate about leveraged loans, arguing that these investments remain compelling defensive opportunities.

Joe Zidle is a Managing Director at Blackstone and the Chief Investment Strategist in the firm’s Private Wealth Solutions group.

Dwight Scott is a Senior Managing Director at Blackstone and President of GSO Capital Partners. He oversees the day-to-day management of GSO and sits on the investment committees for GSO’s energy funds, mezzanine funds and rescue lending funds.

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The views expressed in this commentary are the personal views of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Blackstone Group L.P. (together with its affiliates, “Blackstone”). The views expressed reflect the current views of the authors as of the date hereof and Blackstone undertakes no responsibility to advise you of any changes in the views expressed herein.

Neither this blog post, nor the podcast nor any of the information contained herein or therein constitutes an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any security or instrument in or to participate in any trading strategy with any Blackstone fund or other investment vehicle.

Past performance is not indicative of future results and there is no assurance that any Blackstone fund will achieve its objectives or avoid significant losses. This blog post and the podcast may contain forward-looking statements; such statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties.

For information about Blackstone's business, including risks and financial information, please refer to our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For additional information, see Blackstone’s public filings at ir.blackstone.com.

Blackstone’s John McCormick on BAAM and the Hedge Fund Industry At-Large

In the latest episode of the Blackstone Podcast, John McCormick, CEO of Blackstone Alternative Asset Management, joined us for a conversation on how BAAM and the hedge fund industry have evolved in recent years. John discussed BAAM’s growth to become the world’s largest discretionary investor in hedge funds, as well as the group’s more recent expansion into business areas like GP stakes and direct investing.

 

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Neither this blog post, nor the podcast nor any of the information contained herein or therein constitutes an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any security or instrument in or to participate in any trading strategy with any Blackstone fund or other investment vehicle.

Past performance is not indicative of future results and there is no assurance that any Blackstone fund will achieve its objectives or avoid significant losses. This blog post and the podcast may contain forward-looking statements; such statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties.

For information about Blackstone's business, including risks and financial information, please refer to our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For additional information, see Blackstone’s public filings at ir.blackstone.com.

Joe Zidle: Weighing Uncertainty and Opportunity in Equity Markets with First Eagle’s Matt McLennan

In the latest episode of his market commentary series on the Blackstone Podcast, investment strategist Joe Zidle sat down with First Eagle’s Matt McLennan to share where they’re seeing opportunity and risk in equity markets. The two discuss ongoing volatility, today’s unique consumer and policy environment, and whether investors should be concerned about a recession on the horizon.

Matt McLennan is the head of the Global Value Team and portfolio manager at First Eagle, a Blackstone portfolio company and independent investment management firm that provides advisory services to clients ranging from institution accounts to financial advisors and more.

 

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The views expressed in this commentary are the personal views of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Blackstone Group L.P. (together with its affiliates, “Blackstone”). The views expressed reflect the current views of the author as of the date hereof and Blackstone undertakes no responsibility to advise you of any changes in the views expressed herein.

Blackstone and others associated with it may have positions in and effect transactions in securities of companies mentioned or indirectly referenced in this commentary and may also perform or seek to perform services for those companies. Investment concepts mentioned in this commentary may be unsuitable for investors depending on their specific investment objectives and financial position.

Tax considerations, margin requirements, commissions and other transaction costs may significantly affect the economic consequences of any transaction concepts referenced in this commentary and should be reviewed carefully with one’s investment and tax advisors. All information in this commentary is believed to be reliable as of the date on which this commentary was issued, and has been obtained from public sources believed to be reliable. No representation or warranty, either express or implied, is provided in relation to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained herein.

This commentary does not constitute an offer to sell any securities or the solicitation of an offer to purchase any securities. This commentary discusses broad market, industry or sector trends, or other general economic, market or political conditions and has not been provided in a fiduciary capacity under ERISA and should not be construed as research, investment advice, or any investment recommendation. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future performance.