KKR Doubles Private Debt Deals to $80 Billion Amid Rising AI Spending
In the first half of 2026, KKR & Co. (NYSE:KKR) structured or syndicated over $80 billion in private investment-grade transactions—more than double its activity from all of 2025. This surge reflects growing demand for alternative financing as companies seek more flexible options beyond traditional banks. Much of the capital is backed by insurance, allowing firms to offload assets and maintain credit ratings while raising liquidity. KKR has also raised $15 billion in third-party funding this year—a 29% increase from last year—and has worked with major borrowers like Kuwait Petroleum Corp., Enbridge Inc., and Samsung Electronics. The firm anticipates that demand for AI infrastructure will drive private credit growth over the next five years, potentially outpacing available capital of $7.6 trillion. Despite broader market concerns about asset quality in private credit funds—especially software lending—KKR has seen some easing in redemption requests from its international non-traded fund, KKR-Income Trust I.
