INSIGHTS
Wind in the Willows
You’re Done!
In the first few days of 2026, massive headlines have been coming fast and furious.
And we’re barely a week in.
WCP: 2025 Year in Review
2025 marked a year of real progress at Willow Creek Partners, as we broadened our platform and deepened our partnerships with founders and management teams. As we step into 2026, we do so with momentum, conviction, and a clear sense of optimism.
Politics and Special Interests Eroding National Security
We’ve mentioned a decoupling of US and Chinese economies in this space several times. In many cases, this decoupling is hard for the normal US citizen to see. Many offshore manufacturing contracts have moved from China to other Asian countries, and even more have shifted to Mexico.
Asset Allocation and the Wonders of Mixed Messages
Depending on how we as investors consume data and news, there is a lot of noise out there about how different investors allocate their money. Case in point, Short Squeez, a blog we read daily, posted a story recently about Sovereign Wealth Funds being over-allocated to private equity and putting a lot more scrutiny on their current investments because of it.
Trouble in The Red Sea – It’s Not Just Oil
Got two good eyes, but you still don’t see. A few days ago, CNBC interviewed Chevron CEO Mike Wirth at the Davos World Economic Forum. The obvious intention of the interview was to get a perspective on oil prices from one of the energy industry’s true titans.
Office Vacancy Records – Secular Change or Extra-Cyclicality?
When the COVID -19 Pandemic hit, it was a true ‘Black Swan” event. No-one could have predicted its likelihood, magnitude, or long-term impact. The global response of course sent most workers home and tested digital communications tools in ways that we otherwise never would have.
Rate Expectations
As 2023 started, investors struggled to process the best January on record. An epic January Effect propelled stocks higher despite Q4 2022 earnings reports that were “iffy” at best.
Access is the Most Important Thing - Private Equity Investment in Sports
When you think about sports ownership, you may think about big names like: Robert Kraft, The Steinbrenner Family, Jerry Jones, Jeffrey Vinik, and the like.
ARM Holdings IPO – And the Inevitable Headlines
This week ARM Holdings is poised to launch what will surely be the largest IPO of the year. ARM's been either preparing its IPO or preparing for sale for years
Deficits, Interest Rates, and Inflation – I’m Uncle Sam
One of the often-ignored negatives about increasing interest rates is the effect they have on government spending.
Negative Rent Growth
Tremendous rent growth, backed by a national housing shortage, has greatly encouraged a large build.
CRE Bottom?
One of the most entertaining parts about being a market participant is that there is always someone trying to call a top or bottom.
VCs are Betting on Mining Deals… Why?
There are obviously a lot of reasons why mining might be attractive.
Buffett’s Homebuilder Bet
When the greatest investor in history makes a sizable bet… it’s probably a good idea to pay attention, right?
Labor Unions and Inflation: Playing to the Tide
If you’re wondering why it is that inflation continues to be so persistent, you’re not alone.
PE Valuations and Corporate Venture Arms
Private Equity and its close cousin Venture Capital have seen enormous growth over the last few decades, including the emergence of large corporate venture arms
Mortgage Rates And a Little Sympathy
The current average rate on a 30-year mortgage is 7.48%. That number is the highest it’s been since November of 2000.
Government Shutdown? Here we go Again
The US Government’s fiscal year-end is September 30th and Congress still hasn’t learned anything from ratings agency downgrades or market volatility surrounding their negotiations.