The Globe and Mail reports in its Wednesday, April 22, edition that Wall Street's largest alternative asset managers are facing a crucial challenge as they seek to reassure investors that fears regarding artificial intelligence disruption to their portfolio companies and declining retail private credit demand are exaggerated. A Reuters dispatch to The Globe reports that pressure in private credit has hindered inflows and is expected to continue throughout the year. Total fund raising was nearly flat at $49.9-billion (U.S.) in the first quarter, with direct lending falling to $10.7-billion (U.S.), the lowest in three years, according to With Intelligence. "We don't expect the first quarter prints to be anywhere near as good as what the banks just reported," Evercore ISI analyst Glenn Schorr said this week, citing slower fund raising, uneven deal making opportunities and retail investors running for the exits. Oppenheimer analysts have cut price targets for alternative asset managers due to concerns over direct lending, rising retail redemptions and ongoing negative press. This change is in response to shifting investor perceptions, ahead of quarterly earnings starting with Blackstone on April 23.