Latest news with #AkhilBansal
Yahoo
24-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Wall Street Giant Bets $250M on Struggling U.S. Farmers in High-Stakes Credit Play
Carlyle Group (NASDAQ:CG) is making a $250 million bet on America's embattled farmersright as bankruptcies across the agriculture sector hit a post-2020 high. Through a forward flow agreement, Carlyle has committed to buying loans originated by FarmOp Capital, a lender focused on helping crop producers bridge the gap between planting and harvest. The working capital loans, typically $3.5 million apiece, are structured around staple grains like corn, soybeans, and wheat. But instead of relying on land as collaterala nonstarter for many rentersthese loans are backed by crops, crop insurance, and forward contracts, giving farmers the financial flexibility traditional banks no longer offer. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 7 Warning Signs with CG. It's a timely move. Small-business bankruptcies among farmers and fishermen have surged this year as falling commodity prices, rising input costs, and weaker Chinese demand squeeze margins. The industry is going through a tough period, FarmOp CEO Keir Renick said. Farmers can get into trouble when prices go down and they are not hedged. Most banks have pulled back from lending to landless operators, creating a vacuum that alternative lenders like FarmOp are stepping in to fill. These loans, often lasting about 18 months, are tailored to experienced operators who rent land and need short-term capital to stay afloat. For Carlyle, this isn't a one-off. The firm is steadily building its asset-backed credit platformnow managing $9 billionthrough exposure to real-world assets like residential solar loans and fintech lending deals. Akhil Bansal, who leads Carlyle's asset-backed finance division, described farm lending as a very stable but growing asset class, thanks to its multi-layered contractual protections. The firm's approach signals a broader strategy: back specialty lenders that solve real economic problems, especially in sectors where traditional capital has dried up. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Time of India
13-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Wheels of Change Jammed: Chandigarh's Bicycle Push Hits Roadblocks
1 2 3 4 Chandigarh: The city's love affair with cycling, which bloomed as the Covid pandemic receded, has turned out to be mere infatuation after all. The Chandigarh administration laid more than 200 km of cycle track across the city but is now struggling to maintain the existing cycle tracks, even though it continues to add more kilometres to the total cycle track length in the city. Similarly, the public bicycle system (PBS), launched in 2020, continues to be paralysed because of vandalism and thefts. In the past year, there have been, on average, two incidents of vandalism and theft every day. The company running the system claims to be suffering major losses. CYCLE TRACKS IN A MESS Potholes or entire stretches missing are increasingly the norm now. "Tracks in the southern sectors, particularly around Sarovar Path and Paschim Marg, are in dreadful condition. In some areas, it is so poor that one cannot move at all on a cycle," said Akhil Bansal, a cycle enthusiast and social worker. Encroachments, both temporary and permanent, dot the cycle tracks. There is little or no effort to remove these. Motorised two-wheelers and parking on cycle tracks are also common. Traffic police are seldom seen removing these vehicles from the tracks. Cyclists have repeatedly complained about the design of the cycle tracks. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You To Read in 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo "At most places, it is very difficult to cross the major roads as cycle tracks on either side of major roads and junctions are poorly connected. Similarly, bollards, open manholes, electricity poles, and trees can be seen in the middle of cycle tracks," said Vasant Garg, a Sector 32 resident and avid cyclist. A UT official said, "Regular surveys of the cycle tracks' conditions are done, and repair and maintenance work is being done continuously. " THE PBS The PBS was launched in 2020. Five thousand bicycles at 614 docket stations across the city are available. Ridership numbers have been dwindling and are majorly skewed in favour of only a few tourist spots. At some locations in the city, there are zero users for the service. Since March this year, there has been a sharp decrease in people using the system, and ridership has declined considerably. A spokesperson for SmartBike, the company that established and is operating the PBS, said, "The PBS was developed in four phases at a cost of about Rs 30 crore, entirely invested by SmartBike. The service operates under a public private partnership mode with Chandigarh Smart City Limited and now with municipal corporation Chandigarh." The company was allowed to earn revenue through outdoor advertisement at the docket stations. The spokesperson said, "SmartBike is facing huge losses due to continuous vandalism and thefts by anti-social elements. There have been 700 cases of bike vandalism in the last year alone. Also, more than 50 display panels at the docket stations have been vandalised during this period. Cycles, copper wiring, and LED modules have been stolen. In the last three years, more than 70 complaints have been made to the police in this regard. " BOX Falling PBS ridership Month (2025) | Ridership Mar | 14,651 Apr | 13,401 May | 11,035 June | 11,504 BOX2 PBS Stations with Highest Rides - Top 5 (March 25 – June 25) Stations | Ridership Sukhna Lake | 4,192 Sukhna Club | 3,664 CM House Punjab, Sec-2A | 3,349 Ahuja, Sector 17 | 1,781 Rock Garden | 1,200 BOX3 PBS Stations with Zero Ridership (March 25 – June 25) Kendriya Vidyalaya, Sec-47A Guru Nanak Khalsa High School, Sec-30B Mount Carmel School, Sec-47B Public Park-2, Sec-47A Public Park-4, Sec-47B BOX5 PBS Areas with Highest Incidences of Theft & Vandalism Sector 45, Burail, Nayagaon, Ramdarbar, Maloya, Dhanas, Hallomajra, Kajheri (Sec 52), Sector 47
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Diversified Energy and Carlyle to invest $2bn in US natural gas assets
Diversified Energy Company, a natural gas and liquids production operator, has announced a collaboration with investment company Carlyle to invest up to $2bn in existing proved developed producing (PDP) natural gas and oil assets throughout the US. The partnership will combine Carlyle's extensive credit and structuring expertise, spearheaded by its asset-backed finance (ABF) team, with Diversified's market-leading operating capabilities. Carlyle ABF head Akhil Bansal said: 'Diversified is a leading operator of long-life energy assets and a pioneer in bringing PDP securitisations to institutional markets. 'We are excited to bring institutional capital to high-quality, cash-yielding energy assets that are core to US domestic energy production and energy security. This partnership underscores Carlyle's ability to originate differentiated investment opportunities through proprietary sourcing channels and seek access to stable, yield-oriented energy exposure.' Diversified is known for its unique business model of acquiring and optimising portfolios of existing long-life oil and gas assets to ensure reliable production and consistent cash flow. This partnership is expected to bolster Diversified Energy's access to capital within a promising acquisition market. Under the terms of the agreement, Diversified will serve as the operator and servicer of the newly acquired assets. Carlyle intends to pursue opportunities to securitise these assets as investments are made, seeking to unlock long-term financing. Diversified Energy CEO Rusty Hutson Jr. said: 'We are excited to partner with Carlyle, a leader in the asset-backed finance space. This arrangement significantly enhances our ability to pursue and scale strategic acquisitions in what we believe is a highly compelling environment for PDP asset consolidation. 'We continue to see a robust pipeline of opportunities and the growing need for operational scale and efficiency. With Carlyle's support, we are well-positioned to capitalise on these trends while aiming to generate sustainable cash flow and value for our shareholders.' In March, Diversified Energy completed the $1.27bn acquisition of Maverick Natural Resources, a private company based in Houston, Texas, engaged in the development and production of oil and natural gas. "Diversified Energy and Carlyle to invest $2bn in US natural gas assets" was originally created and published by Offshore Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Morgan Stanley Maintains its Citigroup Inc. (C) Buy Rating
Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C) is among the 11 Best Financial Services Stocks to Buy Right Now. Carlyle Group has collaborated with Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C) to offer asset-backed lending to fintech lenders, the companies announced on June 12. A customer walking into a bank branch, expressing the convenience of consumer banking services. Both companies are collaborating to share market knowledge and look into co-investment prospects in order to promote the expanding fintech lending industry. Fintech lending has grown quickly due to growing borrower demand and digital ease, which has led to traditional institutions like Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C) becoming more involved. As businesses expand, fintech lenders are increasingly looking to investment firms for funding. Akhil Bansal, head of asset-backed finance at Carlyle, stressed the rising need for customized, scalable solutions. The fastest-growing segment of private lending is asset-backed finance, which is backed by a collection of financial assets. This transaction shows Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C)'s larger strategic focus on private lending and strengthens the bank's $25 billion private credit agreement with Apollo. The collaboration displays Carlyle and Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C)'s intention to profit from changes in the structure of the credit markets. While we acknowledge the potential of C as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 10 High-Growth EV Stocks to Invest In and 13 Best Car Stocks to Buy in 2025. Disclosure. None. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Carlyle Announces Partnership With Citigroup on Asset-Backed Lending
Carlyle Group Inc. CG has announced a collaboration with Citigroup Inc. C to expand asset-backed financing opportunities within the fintech specialty lending space. Both companies have formalized a framework to exchange market intelligence and explore co-investment and financing opportunities to align strategic objectives and deepen integration. The collaboration will integrate Carlyle's extensive investment network with the expertise of Citigroup's Spread Products Investment in Technologies (SPRINT) team, a leading venture equity investor in fintech specialty lending. Akhil Bansal, head of asset-backed finance at Carlyle, stated that 'Demand for scalable and tailored asset-backed financing solutions from fintech lenders has increased as they mature and seek efficient ways to fund their growth.' Bansal further added that, 'By combining our deep credit and structuring expertise with Citi's leading presence in the fintech investment landscape, we're well-positioned to capture emerging opportunities and support the next generation of financial technology leaders.' On the other hand, Rajiv Amlani, head of Private Markets Coverage at Citigroup, further added that 'This collaboration leverages the best of both our firms. Through the scale of our franchise, we are uniquely positioned to unlock opportunities by bringing the dynamism of innovative tech platforms to an established global leader such as Carlyle.' Over the past three months, shares of Carlyle have risen 9% compared with the industry's growth of 1.1%. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Currently, the company carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Last month, State Street Corporation's STT asset management arm, State Street Global Advisors ('SSGA'), entered a strategic alliance with smallcase. The alliance aims to expand global market access for Indian investors and enhance SSGA's presence in India's fintech sector. The partnership will provide STT's arm with a distribution opportunity for its SPDR ETFs by featuring them on smallcase's platform technology. This will enhance SSGA's global investment accessibility for Indian investors through technology-driven solutions. Similarly, in the same month, UBS Group AG UBS entered a strategic partnership with General Atlantic, a US-based investment firm, to focus on private credit opportunities. The collaboration between UBS and General Atlantic aims to expand the access of investing clients and borrowers to a broader range of direct lending and other credit products. By combining UBS's advisory and investment banking origination capabilities with General Atlantic's extensive global network, the partnership will create compelling private credit solutions. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Citigroup Inc. (C) : Free Stock Analysis Report UBS Group AG (UBS) : Free Stock Analysis Report State Street Corporation (STT) : Free Stock Analysis Report Carlyle Group Inc. (CG) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research
