For a considerable time, international stocks have been kicked to the side by the market’s infatuation with U.S. large-cap technology companies. International markets represent 194 countries, are responsible for over 84% of global GDP, comprise over 95% of the world’s population, and account for roughly 40% of the world equity market capitalization.

When considering the range of possibilities in private credit—primarily those in the private sector via investment funds as opposed to traditional banking channels — it’s beneficial to understand why companies are choosing to remain private and why access to traditional bank capital has become more challenging.