Private Credit
February 6, 2026

Middle-Market Direct Lending Outlook in a Goldilocks Market Environment

Explore the trends shaping private credit in 2026. From structural crowding and yield compression to recessionary tailwinds and dislocation-driven opportunity.
Author
David Ren
Managing Partner, Head of Private Credit

Executive Summary

Financial markets are currently characterized by public equities near all-time highs, corporate credit spreads at historically tight levels, and the potential for a transition toward a U.S. Treasury bull market should the Federal Reserve begin to cut rates. This report examines the implications of these conditions for middle-market direct lending, contrasting outcomes under a “Goldilocks” soft-landing scenario versus a recession-driven rate-cut environment. In this context, we also highlight key credit market indicators for investors to monitor as credit relative value and risk continue to shift.

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