Oaktree was founded in April 1995 by Howard Marks, Bruce Karsh, Steve Kaplan, Larry Keele, Richard Masson and Sheldon Stone. These Oaktree principals joined together beginning in the mid-1980s to manage high yield bonds, convertible securities, distressed debt and principal investments.
Today, Oaktree is comprised of approximately 600 employees in Los Angeles (headquarters), New York, Stamford (Connecticut), Amsterdam*, Frankfurt, London, Luxembourg*, Paris, Beijing, Hong Kong, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore and Tokyo.
*Office of affiliates of Oaktree-managed funds
1978
Howard Marks begins managing high yield bond and convertible securities funds at Citibank
1985
Howard Marks and Sheldon Stone move to TCW
1988
Bruce Karsh and Richard Masson begin managing distressed debt
1989
High Income Convertibles strategy initiated
1994
Principal, International Convertibles and Real Estate Opportunities are organized as separate strategies
1995
Oaktree is founded with offices in Los Angeles and New York
1998
Emerging Markets Absolute Return equity strategy added
Singapore and Tokyo offices opened
1999
European High Yield Bond strategy initiated
Power Opportunities organized as separate strategy out of Principal
London office opened
2001
Mezzanine Finance strategy established
2004
High Yield Plus strategy created
Frankfurt office established
2006
Strategy expansion continues with Asia Principal, European Principal and European Senior Loans
Stamford office established
Luxembourg office opened by affiliates of Oaktree-managed funds
2007
Beijing office established
Value Opportunities strategy created
Oaktree acquires Pangaea Capital Management, L.P. with offices in Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore and Tokyo
U.S. Senior Loans strategy initiated
Asia Special Situations strategy established
2008
Paris office established
Amsterdam office opened by affiliates of Oaktree-managed funds.
2009
Oaktree acquires GFI Energy Ventures LLC with an office in Los Angeles.
