PE Fundraisers As Successful as Ever, Suggesting Industry’s Maturation

89% of private equity funds closed in the US last year, against a backdrop of healthy fundraising levels—252 vehicles combined for a total of $180 billion committed. This decade-high proportion of fundraising success leads one to the most evident conclusion that limited partners are still eager for exposure to the asset class. Combined with the historically strong median buyout fund size of $250 million in 2016...

US PE company inventory still poses questions

As of the end of 2016, there were 7,168 companies backed by private equity firms in the US. That represents a 46% increase over the 4,923 recorded in 2009. Even though the majority of those businesses are on the younger side in terms of when they were invested in, there is still a significant portion that has been held for over six years. Part of that is due to slowing exit activity throughout last year, but it also raises questions about portfolio company quality...