The Daily Spark
-
Default Rates Are Falling
If the recent high-profile defaults were the beginning of a broader credit cycle, then default rates would be going up….
-
Top 5 Risks in 2026
There are always upside and downside risks to the outlook. Below are five things we are watching going into 2026….
-
Swaption Volatility Remains Remarkably Low Despite Ongoing Fed Debate
Swaption volatility remains very low despite significant debate about what the Fed will do at its next meeting, see chart…
Want it delivered daily to your inbox?
Upcoming Events
Class 282026 Outlook
Tuesday, December 16, 2025 • 11:00am ET
Credits
1
CFP / IWI / CFA
CE Credit
Topics
- Watch Torsten Slok, Chief Economist at Apollo, discuss his views for what’s ahead for the US economy and capital markets in 2026. In addition, four cross-functional Apollo leaders present their unique perspectives from across asset classes—detailing the specific opportunities they see on the horizon in their core areas of focus.
Specifically, Torsten will highlight:- The economic headwinds, tailwinds, and additional risks shaping his economic forecast
- How those forces could impact the Fed’s decision making, GDP growth, and inflation in 2026—and beyond
- Potential implications for markets and the broader economy
- Speakers outlining high-level 2026 thematic outlooks for Private Equity, Credit, Infrastructure, and Real Estate include:
- David Sambur, Co-Head of Equity
- John Cortese, Head of Portfolio Management
- Olivia Wassenaar, Head of Sustainability & Infrastructure
- Scott Weiner, Global Head of Real Estate Credit
On-Demand Classes
The Apollo Academy also offers additional CE-credit events on the discipline of alternatives investing as well as on key investing and economic top-of-mind topics, so you can keep your skills brushed up and your mind sharp for the ever-changing landscape of the capital markets.
Class 27Private Equity’s Edge: Delivering Alpha in a Changing Market
Now On Demand
Credits
1
CFP / IWI / CFA
CE Credit
Topics
- David Sambur, Co-Head of Equity, and Antoine Munfakh, Deputy Global Head of Private Equity, discuss how investors in today’s evolving environment can generate alpha across the entire private equity lifecycle. They also explore the changing dynamics of public equity markets, where structural shifts and evolving market forces could continue to reshape the future landscape.
In this class, David and Antoine cover:
• How private equity can unlock opportunities for alpha generation
• Why the public equity market isn’t what it used to be
• Private equity today: how challenges can create potential opportunities
• How the macroeconomic environment is affecting private equity
Class 26Powering Innovation: Infrastructure Investing Across the AI Value Chain
Now On Demand
Credits
1
CFP / IWI / CFA
CE Credit
Topics
- Harry Seekings, Partner and Co-Head of Apollo Infrastructure, and David Cohen, Partner on Apollo’s Infrastructure team, discuss how the growth of AI is reshaping infrastructure. They explore the massive capital needs of advancing AI, the areas of potential opportunities and how next-generation infrastructure can serve as a stabilizing force for portfolios.
In this class, Harry and David cover:- How AI is creating trillions in investment needs
- The expansion of data centers
- The energy challenge behind powering AI at scale
- Where investors can participate across the infrastructure value chain
- How infrastructure can strengthen portfolios in today’s market environment
Class 25Mid-Year Outlook: At the Crossroads of Stagflation — What’s Next?
Now On Demand
Credits
1
CFP / IWI / CFA
CE Credit
Topics
- Watch Torsten Slok, Chief Economist at Apollo, discuss his views on what’s next for the US economy and capital markets in the second half of 2025. A Q&A session will follow the presentation.
In this class, Torsten covers:- What are the headwinds facing the US economy?
- What’s in store for the Fed, GDP, growth, and inflation?
- What impact can be expected in capital markets?

Why Alternatives in Your Retirement Portfolio
A long-held mantra—that a diversified portfolio of public equities and bonds is the key to a successful retirement plan—is now being challenged by secular shifts taking place in financial markets today, including the end of the monetary printing press that started in 2008. What’s an investor to do? Lead Portfolio Manager Matt O’Mara tackles this question in our latest white paper.
On Demand: Alternative Investing Course 2.0

Session 1 Alternative Investing Essentials Part One
Now Available On Demand
Credits
4
CFP / IWI / CFA
CE Credits
Topics
- Understanding Capital Markets
- Private Equity & Venture Capital
- Private Credit
Session 2Alternative Investing Essentials Part Two
Now Available On Demand
Credits
4
CFP / IWI / CFA
CE Credits
Topics
- Real Estate
- Infrastructure
- Digital Assets
- Hedge Funds
Session 3Practical Considerations
Now Available On Demand
Credits
2.5
CFP / IWI / CFA
CE Credits
Topics
- Commodities
- Understanding Portfolio Construction
- Asset Allocation
- Risk Considerations
- Fund Structures
- Fees
Alternative Perspectives
-

Hybrid in Action: Delivering Bespoke Capital Solutions in a New Market Paradigm
Sitting between private debt and equity, hybrid investments are increasingly in demand as companies continue to face higher…
-

Private Equity: Alpha in an Evolving Market
In this episode of The View from Apollo, Apollo’s Antoine Munfakh and Bryn Gostin take a deeper dive into the…
-

Apollo Answers: What’s Missing in Private Credit? Integrating Asset-Backed Finance
As private credit evolves, so can portfolios – by integrating asset-backed finance and direct lending strategies. Pairing them…
Master the Basics
Apollo defines “alternatives” as an alternative to publicly traded stocks and bonds, seeking excess returns at every point along the risk-reward spectrum. We group our solutions in three categories: Equity, Hybrid (as defined as a mix of equity and debt), and Yield. Apollo’s introductory videos describe the basics of each alternative asset class. Taught by Keith Black, Adjunct Faculty at the University of Massachusetts, the videos cover the full spectrum of alternative asset classes (including venture capital and commodities, which Apollo’s solutions don’t currently address). They provide a broad understanding of the space for those seeking to invest in, or to augment, their exposure to alternatives.












