Jacobo Taurel

April’s inflation data in the U.S. presents a mixed picture: rising prices alongside a consumer that, for now, is holding firm.

U.S. inflation reaches highs while retail holds steady

U.S. inflation accelerated to 3.8% year-over-year in April, its highest level since May 2023. While the energy sector drove much of the increase, core inflation also rose to 2.8%, remaining above the Federal Reserve’s target.

Despite this environment and a slight decline in real wages, consumer spending remains notably resilient. The retail sector added 22,000 jobs during the month, reflecting strong business confidence amid sustained demand.

Persistent inflation complicates the Federal Reserve’s outlook. However, labor market resilience and continued hiring in retail suggest that consumption is, for now, cushioning the impact of higher fuel costs and geopolitical tensions.

Core prices posted their fastest monthly pace since January 2025, complicating the Fed’s path to rate cuts. Still, retail hiring and consumer resilience offer a signal of strength in the real economy.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

A few weeks ago, I attended Blackstone’s Platinum Circle gathering in New York — an exclusive event bringing together a select group of the nation’s top Registered Investment Advisors to discuss the most pressing issues in investment management today. Topics ranged from the impact of geopolitical conflicts on markets to the accelerating rise of artificial intelligence. The conference offered invaluable insights into the dynamics of the current financial landscape and how Activest can best navigate an ever-shifting environment on behalf of our clients.

The full-day program covered a broad range of themes: a constructive macroeconomic outlook, continued conviction in physical assets, selective opportunities in real estate, private equity and infrastructure, and a strong preference for evergreen fund structures. Key speakers, including Jon Gray and Steve Schwarzman, emphasized underwriting discipline, inflation linkage in infrastructure contracts, and sound portfolio construction principles.

Macro and Cross-Asset Views

A central message from the conference was one of cautious optimism. Inflation is broadly easing, though oil remains a near-term source of upside pressure, and the cost of capital appears to be stabilizing. Speakers were clear that geopolitical shocks — however alarming — have historically not derailed markets over the long term. As one speaker noted, markets have weathered more than 22 wars and have always rebounded.

One speaker offered a line that stuck with me as a simple but powerful reminder about long-term discipline: “Your portfolio is like a bar of soap. The more you touch it, the smaller it gets.” Less turnover, better compounding. It’s a principle we take seriously at Activest.

Artificial intelligence is expected to increase dispersion and selectivity across sectors, pressuring some valuations without necessarily decimating industries. Meanwhile, investment in digital infrastructure continues to accelerate, with power supply emerging as a critical constraint — reinforcing the importance of infrastructure exposure within a well-diversified portfolio.

Real Assets and Real Estate

Real estate generated significant discussion throughout the day. Speakers were clear-eyed about its cyclical nature: values can compress on discount-rate moves even when underlying cash flows remain intact. One striking data point — the cost to purchase a home is now 30% higher than renting, and the median age of first-time homebuyers has risen from 31 to 38. This dynamic strongly favors multifamily rental investments, particularly in Sun Belt markets.

In retail, the lack of new construction over recent years has created meaningful scarcity. With demand for retail services growing at roughly 3% per year, that supply constraint could translate into real expansion opportunities — especially for properties with near-term lease expirations.

Self-storage was highlighted as another attractive sector, driven by its close ties to mobility and life-transition dynamics. Data centers, meanwhile, emerged as the clear standout of the real estate conversation. Occupancy rates are running near 99%, and estimated demand for computing power in the U.S. stands at 200 gigawatts — far exceeding current capacity. The opportunity here is substantial.

Office space appears to have bottomed, though speakers stopped short of calling it a compelling opportunity at this stage.

Public Equity, Private Markets, and the Case for Diversification

Public equity valuations remain elevated — approximately 15x free cash flow — implying forward returns in the mid-single to low-double digit range. Private market valuations, while also above historical averages at roughly 12x free cash flow, remain meaningfully lower than their public counterparts, presenting a relative opportunity for patient, long-term investors.

A recurring theme across multiple sessions was the importance of broad diversification in achieving stable, durable returns. One speaker put it simply: “Concentration makes money. Diversification preserves it.”

Private markets are increasingly gravitating toward evergreen structures, which offer income generation, diversification, and more streamlined access than traditional drawdown models. They also simplify performance measurement — capital is deployed as a lump sum rather than through unpredictable capital calls, making it easier to track and evaluate outcomes.

Looking Ahead

In an ever-shifting financial landscape, staying close to the world’s leading asset managers isn’t a luxury — it’s a responsibility we take seriously on behalf of our clients. Over the years, Activest has cultivated deep relationships with top-tier managers globally, and events like Blackstone’s Platinum Circle give us a front-row seat to the thinking that shapes markets. These conversations directly inform how we position portfolios and evaluate opportunities across asset classes.

We look forward to sharing more of these insights with you as the year unfolds.

Infrastructure is one of the fastest-growing asset classes within private markets. Understanding what drives it and how it generates value is the first step in evaluating its role in a portfolio.

Fundamentals of an asset class built for the long term

Infrastructure encompasses essential assets such as energy, transportation, and digital networks, whose central characteristic is the generation of stable and predictable income over time. Unlike other asset classes, its value does not depend on short-term economic cycles, but on the structural demand for basic services.

In recent years, trends such as the energy transition and digitalization have expanded the universe of available opportunities, attracting institutional capital toward projects with long investment horizons.

However, the current environment presents important nuances: while fundraising has rebounded, it remains concentrated primarily in larger funds. Deal activity, meanwhile, faces pressure from lower transaction volumes.

Infrastructure stands out for its ability to generate predictable and resilient cash flows, even in volatile environments. However, the current landscape shows an imbalance between available capital and investment opportunities. Increased appetite for higher-risk strategies reflects an active search for yield, reinforcing the importance of manager selection and valuation discipline.

Source: JP Morgan

The Federal Reserve kept its benchmark rate unchanged at 3.5%–3.75%, in line with expectations. However, the vote revealed an unusual level of division, with four officials dissenting, the highest since 1992. While some policymakers pushed back against signaling future cuts, another voted in favor of lowering rates. Rising geopolitical tensions, particularly in the Middle East, are increasing uncertainty and complicating the balance between persistent inflation and signs of economic slowdown.

Mixed signals from within

The Fed’s message is more nuanced than the decision itself. Stable rates contrast with a growing internal debate over the policy path ahead. Higher energy prices continue to pressure inflation, while the labor market shows signs of weakening. This backdrop points to increased volatility, with limited visibility on rate cuts and macro risks balanced in both directions.

Source: CNBC

An introduction to this asset class

Private credit involves providing direct financing to companies outside the traditional banking system, with structures negotiated on a case-by-case basis. Its growth stems from post-crisis regulatory changes that limited banks’ ability to serve certain market segments, creating space for institutional investors and specialized managers to step in.

Appeal and considerations

Its primary appeal is the generation of recurring income through generally floating-rate instruments, which offer natural protection in high-rate environments. From a diversification standpoint, its low correlation with public assets can help reduce portfolio volatility. That said, it comes with lower liquidity and medium to long-term commitments.

Key factors to evaluate

Evaluating private credit requires attention to three factors: borrower quality, deal structure, and the stage of the economic cycle. Not all strategies are alike — some prioritize stability and income, while others take on higher risk in pursuit of greater returns. Identifying which approach aligns with portfolio objectives is the starting point for incorporating this asset class in a strategic way.

Source: JP Morgan