Alternative Managers Decline as AI Concerns Impact Software and Private Credit Sectors
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 23 2026
0mins
Should l Buy OWL?
Source: Barron's
Market Performance: Shares of alternative asset managers are experiencing a decline, continuing a trend of falling prices.
AI Disruption Concerns: The slump is largely attributed to worries about the impact of artificial intelligence on the industry.
Broader Factors: There are additional factors contributing to the downturn beyond just AI concerns.
Ongoing Trends: The decline in shares reflects a protracted slump in the market for alternative asset management.
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Analyst Views on OWL
Wall Street analysts forecast OWL stock price to rise
15 Analyst Rating
12 Buy
3 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 10.270
Low
18.00
Averages
21.13
High
28.00
Current: 10.270
Low
18.00
Averages
21.13
High
28.00
About OWL
Blue Owl Capital Inc. is an alternative asset management company. The Company deploys private capital across Credit, GP Strategic Capital and Real Estate platforms on behalf of institutional and private wealth clients. Its product platforms include Credit, GP Strategic Capital and Real Estate. Its credit products offer private financing solutions primarily to upper-middle-market companies. Its credit products are offered through a mix of business development companies, long-dated private funds, managed accounts and collateralized loan obligations. It is focused on acquiring equity stakes in or providing debt financing to private capital firms. Its Real Estate products are focused on acquiring triple net lease real estate occupied by investment-grade or creditworthy tenants. Its Real Estate products are offered through Permanent Capital vehicles, including its real estate investment trusts, and long-dated private funds. It offers asset management services to the insurance industry.
About the author

Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
- Industry Recognition: Blue Owl Capital has been awarded seven honors across the 2025 Private Equity Real Estate (PERE) Awards and the Infrastructure Investor Awards, marking it as the most recognized real assets manager this year, which underscores its leadership in the sector.
- Specific Awards: The firm received accolades such as Global Net Lease Investor of the Year and Global Data Center Investor of the Year, reflecting its outstanding performance in digital infrastructure and net lease, thereby reinforcing its competitive edge in the market.
- Strategic Investments: In 2025, Blue Owl completed the acquisition of IPI Partners, made a majority investment in Dallas-based Gigabit Fiber, and financed the $27 billion Hyperion data center campus, showcasing its robust investment capabilities in the infrastructure space.
- Asset Management Scale: As of December 31, 2025, Blue Owl manages over $307 billion in assets, leveraging a strong permanent capital base to provide diversified investment solutions aimed at delivering high cash flow and total returns while minimizing risk.
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- Surge in Redemption Requests: Blackstone's BCRED private credit fund is experiencing record redemption requests, with investors seeking to withdraw approximately $3.8 billion, or 7.9% of total assets, posing a significant challenge to the firm's liquidity management.
- Liquidity Structure Scrutiny: The expansion of private credit into retail investors has intensified scrutiny over its liquidity structures, with Moody's warning that balancing high returns with retail-like liquidity will continue to be tested as the sector evolves.
- Asset Management Strategy Adjustment: Blackstone plans to increase its share buyback to 7% to meet redemption requests, demonstrating its response strategy under liquidity pressure while also reflecting a commitment to maintaining market confidence.
- Market Risk Intensification: Concerns over loan quality and AI-related risks have led to declines in stock prices for Blackstone and other alternative asset managers, indicating a weakening market confidence in the private credit industry.
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- Industry Recognition: Blue Owl Capital has been awarded seven honors across the 2025 Private Equity Real Estate (PERE) Awards and the Infrastructure Investor Awards, marking it as the most recognized real assets manager this year, which underscores its leadership in the sector.
- Strategic Investments: In 2025, Blue Owl completed the acquisition of IPI Partners, made a majority investment in Dallas-based Gigabit Fiber, and financed the $27 billion Hyperion data center campus, further solidifying its position in net lease and digital infrastructure.
- Asset Management Scale: As of December 31, 2025, Blue Owl manages over $307 billion in assets, demonstrating its strong capital base and the effectiveness of its multi-strategy investment platforms aimed at delivering robust risk-adjusted returns for investors.
- Team Strength: With approximately 1,365 experienced professionals globally, Blue Owl leverages its exceptional vision and discipline to create outstanding investment opportunities, thereby enhancing its competitive edge in the market.
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- Rating Upgrade: Blue Owl Capital (OWL) has received an upgrade to an overweight rating, reflecting analysts' optimistic outlook on its future performance, which may attract more investor attention.
- Price Target Set: The average price target is set at $16.53, indicating market recognition of the company's growth potential, which could drive the stock price towards this target.
- Market Reaction: Rating upgrades typically trigger positive investor reactions, potentially leading to short-term stock price increases, thereby enhancing the company's market image and investor confidence.
- Investor Strategy: With the rating upgrade, investors may reassess their portfolios and increase their holdings in Blue Owl Capital, thereby boosting the company's capital inflow and market position.
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- Target Price Adjustment: Blue Owl Capital has reduced its target price for Oppenheimer from $24 to $17.
- Market Impact: This adjustment reflects a significant change in the valuation outlook for Oppenheimer.
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- nLIGHT Coverage Initiation: Baird initiates coverage of nLIGHT with an Outperform rating and a $95 price target, citing favorable market trends and robust funding that support growth, particularly enhanced by the company's vertical integration and technological strengths.
- Apple's New Product Launch: Oppenheimer reiterates Apple as Perform, highlighting the new MacBook Pro lines powered by M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, which signify a new era of local AI computing and reinforce Apple's significant lead in efficiency and scalability in personal computing devices.
- PulteGroup and Toll Brothers Ratings: Truist initiates PulteGroup and Toll Brothers with Buy ratings, setting a price target of $170, as they believe the market is significantly undervaluing both companies' profitability potential, especially in the context of a recovering luxury housing market.
- Tesla and General Motors Upgrades: Bank of America upgrades Tesla to Buy with a $460 price target, viewing it as the leader in consumer autonomy, while reinstating General Motors as Buy, expecting benefits from lower warranty costs and regulatory credits.
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