Apollo is one of the leading global managers of alternative assets, with a focus on complex credit-related investments. The company has grown its assets under management very rapidly over the past several years through a combination of organic growth and strategic acquisitions. Apollo is further differentiated from peers through its focus on complex, nontraditional, distressed-for-control investments, in which it invests in distressed senior debt securities that may be converted to a controlling equity stake in the case of a reorganization or other restructuring event. Apollo thus has deep expertise investing across the capital structure, and often faces less competition by 'avoiding the herd' in traditional buyouts and traditional high-yield and investment-grade credit.

Investors and analysts of all stripes seem amazed by the speed at which stocks are recovering from the early August swoon. Insiders, who had been so pessimistic a just few weeks ago, are included in this group. Among the positive indicators, the Insider Index from Vickers Stock Research has moved in a positive direction for a second week, marking its least-bearish reading since early May. Additionally, Vickers' Total One-Week Sell/Buy Ratio, NYSE One-Week Sell/Buy Ratio, and Nasdaq One-Week Sell/Buy Ratio are all lower (bullish) for a second week, and down dramatically from highs seen a mere three weeks ago. The above has led Vickers' Total, NYSE, and Nasdaq Eight-Week Sell/Buy Ratios to also move lower for the first time in months. And all of the above is taking place in an environment that features growing transaction volume now that earnings-related trading restrictions are falling away. On a sector basis, insider buying outpaced selling in the Energy sector by a factor of 2.75-times. On the flipside, selling by insiders last week was greatest in Information Technology, with shares valued at $157 million sold versus $25 million bought. This week, analysts at Vickers highlighted insider transactions of interest at Quanta Services Inc. (NYSE: PWR) and ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP).

Apollo is one of the leading global managers of alternative assets, with a focus on complex credit-related investments. The company has grown its assets under management very rapidly over the past several years through a combination of organic growth and strategic acquisitions. Apollo is further differentiated from peers through its focus on complex, nontraditional, distressed-for-control investments, in which it invests in distressed senior debt securities that may be converted to a controlling equity stake in the case of a reorganization or other restructuring event. Apollo thus has deep expertise investing across the capital structure, and often faces less competition by 'avoiding the herd' in traditional buyouts and traditional high-yield and investment-grade credit.

Stocks are fighting back from a red open this morning and are currently clawing their way toward green, with the Nasdaq up 0.27%, the S&P 500 up 0.05% and the DJIA and Russell 2000 essentially flat line. Semiconductor stocks continue to feel some pressure after running hot for weeks. Elsewhere, assorted economic news seems to support a scenario whereby inflation is indeed slowing.