Thought Leadership
A collection of our longer-form, in-depth, perspectives from across the William Blair enterprise.
Investment Banking
Momentum Continues for Secondaries—With Record Year in Sight
Improving LP-led pricing, continuing adoption by both GPs and LPs, and a growing supply of capital has the secondary market poised for a full rebound—and possibly record volumes—by year-end.
Read more
Investment Banking
The Quarterly Rx: Q3 2024 U.S. Biopharma Recap
The biopharma sector got a much-needed shot in the arm with the Federal Reserve’s highly anticipated rate cut in September, the first since March 2020.
Read more
Investment Management
China’s Steel Slump Creates Global Ripples
The Chinese domestic steel market is going through a major downturn, affecting the industry around the globe, exacerbating global trade tensions, and increasing protectionism. We believe emerging markets (EM) debt investors would be wise to be wary, given the potential for the situation to impact the economy, drive political instability, and create trade tensions in many countries.
Read the blog post
Investment Banking
Liquidity Options Without Giving Up Control of Your Business
For leaders of founder-owned businesses, raising significant capital without relinquishing control can seem challenging. But investors focused on non-control transactions are becoming more common—creating opportunities to support growth, strategic acquisitions, and personal liquidity.
Read more
Investment Management
Artificial Intelligence: The Fifth Paradigm Shift
In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, paradigm shifts represent technological innovation that can reshape industries over time.
Read the blog post
Equity Research
Healthcare Mosaic: Behavioral Healthcare Market
William Blair’s equity research group head of healthcare technology and services analyzes the need for behavioral healthcare services and what it means for the broader healthcare marketplace—and both public and private investors in the space.
Read more
Investment Banking
Lenders Eyeing Opportunistic Transactions; Borrowers Should Take Note
A strong rebound in U.S. leveraged loan volume has lenders pivoting to opportunistic transactions—meaning that now is a great time for borrowers to consider refinancing existing debt or returning capital to shareholders.
Read more
Investment Banking
Refinancings Headline at ‘Loan-a-Palooza’
After a hot start to the year, the leveraged loan market sparked a heat wave just in time for summer with volumes climbing to near-record levels.
Read more
Investment Banking
Secondaries in 2024: Optimism, New Buyers, and Improving Deal Activity
Predictions that last year’s strong second half for secondaries portended good things have proved accurate so far in 2024, with new buyers emerging, bid-ask spreads shrinking, and deal activity improving. William Blair’s Private Capital Advisory team outlines the improving state of the secondary market in its latest report.
Read more
Equity Research
Provider Burnout—Addressing the Latest Healthcare Crisis With Emerging Technology Solutions
William Blair’s equity research group head of healthcare technology and services analyzes provider burnout across the U.S. healthcare market, how it’s creating capacity issues in the industry, and the potential for technology and other workforce investments to help reduce burnout and increase access to care.
Read more