Wilmington Trust on What’s Powering the Future of the Energy Transition
Will Marder of Wilmington Trust examines how the past year reshaped capital flows toward the energy transition. He notes a marked acceleration in renewable and grid‑modernization investments, driven by policy support and heightened ESG focus. The firm anticipates continued diversification of funding sources, with private equity and sovereign wealth funds entering the sector. These trends suggest a faster, more resilient path to decarbonization.
Churchill Asset Management on Secondaries’ Evolving Use Case
Churchill Asset Management’s head of secondaries, Nick Lawler, said secondaries technology is evolving into a multi‑faceted tool for both general partners and limited partners. The latest platforms combine real‑time data, automated pricing models and machine‑learning analytics to improve liquidity and...
Hellman & Friedman on the Art of the Exit
Hellman & Friedman CEO Patrick Healy says that even as distributions to limited partners remain sluggish, the firm can still close sizable sponsor exits. Healy highlights that strategic timing and asset positioning enable multi‑billion‑dollar exits despite a broader market slowdown....
Ridgewood on the Opportunities Stemming From the Lower Mid-Market
Ridgewood Infrastructure’s Sam Lissner highlights the lower mid‑market as a hotbed for value creation and flexible exit options. Investors are gravitating toward deals that sit below the traditional mid‑market threshold, seeking higher returns with manageable risk. Lissner notes that the...
Download PDI’s 2025 Annual Review
Private Debt Investor (PDI) has published its 2025 Annual Review, featuring the PDI Annual Awards that recognize standout firms across fundraising, investing, advisory, and legal sectors. The edition includes expert analysis from industry leaders, offering deep insight into a turbulent...
Nuveen Private Markets on Structuring ABF Deals to Meet LP Demand
Nuveen Private Markets executives Laura Parrott and Jessica Bailey outlined how the firm is structuring Asset‑Backed Financing (ABF) deals to satisfy growing limited‑partner demand for private‑credit exposure. They highlighted the importance of predictable cash flows, tranche‑level risk allocation, and ESG...
Secondaries Awards 2025: EMEA Winners
Ardian has been named the 2025 Secondaries Buyer of the Year for the EMEA region by Secondaries Investor. The award recognizes Ardian’s aggressive acquisition strategy and strong execution across private‑equity secondary transactions. The accolade was announced alongside the broader Secondaries...
Bain Capital on Asset‑based Finance’s Diverse and Growing Opportunity Set
Asset‑based finance (ABF) ties loans to tangible collateral, delivering higher yields while limiting downside risk, which appeals to a broad investor base. John Wright, partner and global head of credit at Bain Capital, says the firm is expanding its ABF...
Continuation Funds: What They Are and Why They Matter
Continuation funds are new private‑equity vehicles that let general partners transfer one or more portfolio companies into a separate fund, extending the holding period beyond the typical ten‑year life. They give limited partners a choice to cash out or roll...
Castlelake Completes First Aircraft ABS Repayment Since Pandemic
Castlelake’s aviation leasing arm has fully repaid a $595 million aircraft‑backed security, marking the first complete repayment of an operating‑lease aircraft ABS since the COVID‑19 pandemic. The Castlelake Aircraft Securitization Trust 2021‑1, comprising 26 passenger jets, one freighter and 11 lessees across...
Private Markets in 401(k)s Face Major Liquidity Challenges: Morningstar
Morningstar’s new research shows that liquidity, not performance, is the primary obstacle for private‑equity and credit products in 401(k) plans. Simulations using real participant data reveal that even modest redemption flows can exhaust liquidity buffers, forcing managers to allocate up...
Sverica Promotes Michael Dougherty to Partner and Doug Patrican to Principal
Sverica announced that Michael Dougherty has been elevated to partner, while Doug Patrican has been promoted to principal. The firm also welcomed Matt Johnson as a new principal. These moves expand the firm’s senior leadership team across its core practice...
HVS Europe Hotel Transactions Bulletin Week Ending 20 February 2026
The HVS Europe Hotel Transactions Bulletin for the week ending 20 February 2026 lists a series of high‑profile hotel deals across the continent. Indian conglomerate SanRaj, via Clearsense Ventures, bought three Accor‑branded hotels in the UK (478 rooms) from Ares and EQ....
Wealth Manager Hollow Brook: There’s an Important Place for PE in Family Office Portfolios
Hollow Brook president Philip Richter tells Private Equity International that private equity has become far more accessible due to democratization and a booming secondary market. This broader access enables family offices to consider PE as a core component of their...
‘Goldman Handful’ and the Zombie Apocalypse: Takeaways From NEXUS
The NEXUS conference highlighted a tightening deal pipeline at Goldman Sachs, dubbed the “Goldman handful,” as the firm scales back mid‑market transactions. Speakers warned that a wave of “zombie” companies—firms surviving on low‑interest debt—could strain private‑equity exits. Market participants noted...
Falfurrias-Backed Woven Solutions Acquires Government Consultancy Valence
Woven Solutions, a Reston‑based software provider for the national security community, announced the acquisition of Valence, a government consultancy. The deal is backed by private‑equity firm Falfurrias Capital Partners, which has been fueling Woven's expansion. Valence brings deep advisory expertise...
Primary Wave in Talks to Potentially Acquire Kobalt Music Group
Primary Wave is in advanced talks to acquire Kobalt Music Group, with a potential valuation north of $1.5 billion—roughly double the price paid by private‑equity owner Francisco Partners in 2022. The deal would merge Primary Wave’s $6 billion catalog portfolio with Kobalt’s...
Behind the Curtain: Inside DealMAX with Kate Weaver
Kate Weaver, ACG’s vice president of events, detailed the strategic upgrades for DealMAX 2024, the flagship middle‑market M&A conference in Las Vegas. She highlighted data‑driven planning that begins before the current event ends, and how attendee feedback reshapes logistics, from...
Vision Ridge’s European Head Moubarak Expected to Depart – Exclusive
Vision Ridge’s European head, Ramzi Moubarak, is expected to leave the firm after less than two years in the role. Moubarak was recruited to spearhead the company’s European expansion following the launch of its London office in October 2023. His...
DPI Names Sofiane Lahmar as New CEO
Digital Performance International (DPI) announced Sofiane Lahmar as its new chief executive officer. Lahmar, who joined DPI in 2010 as a senior partner, has risen through the firm’s ranks over the past decade. The board highlighted his deep client relationships...
Searchlight and Abry to Take IoT Company Kore Private for $726m
Searchlight Capital Partners and Abry Partners announced a joint acquisition of IoT platform provider Kore, taking the company private for approximately $726 million. The deal values Kore at $9.25 per share, covering all outstanding shares not already owned by the investors....
Exclusive: Astorg’s Mid-Cap Co-Head Edouard Pillot to Leave Firm
Astorg announced that Edouard Pillot, co‑head of its mid‑cap private‑equity team, will depart the firm. Lionel de Posson, Pillot’s fellow co‑head, will assume sole leadership of the mid‑cap unit. The change follows an internal restructuring aimed at streamlining decision‑making. Astorg...
PE Eyes Growth in Hospice Care Platforms: 5 Deals
Private equity firms are intensifying focus on hospice care platforms, with five notable deals reported this quarter. Kinderhook, Renovus and Revelstoke are among the investors leading the charge, targeting fragmented providers to build scalable platforms. The surge reflects broader demographic...
Apollo Marks Down Credit Fund as Loan Stress Emerges
Apollo Global Management has taken a significant write‑down on its flagship credit fund as loan‑level stress surfaces across its portfolio. The move mirrors similar distress signals from KKR’s FSK fund and Blackstone’s private‑credit vehicle, which also marked down troubled loans....
Adams Street Partners Promotes Cho to Asia IR Head as Hart Heads to Evercore
Adams Street Partners announced the promotion of Chris Cho to head its investor relations for Asia, succeeding the previous lead who is moving to Evercore. Cho brings more than a decade of private‑equity experience across the region. The appointment highlights...
Investor Intentions: SMFL MIRAI Partners to Expand and Diversify Its Portfolio in 2026
SMFL MIRAI Partners announced a 2026 capital deployment plan of roughly $300 million to $500 million across multiple funds. The firm aims to broaden its investment universe and diversify holdings beyond its core positions. This allocation underscores a strategic push into private...
KKR’s FSK Fund Sees Spike in Troubled Loans
KKR’s publicly traded credit vehicle, FS KKR Capital Corp, dropped 15% after reporting a surge in troubled loans and a cut to its dividend. The $13 billion portfolio, dominated by private‑equity‑backed mid‑market loans, is seeing rising defaults and mark‑to‑market losses, especially...
Apollo’s Japan Institutional Client Head Departs
Apollo Global Management’s Japan institutional client head, Takeshi Tsubota, has exited the firm. Tsubota, who joined in 2023, was responsible for driving the firm’s fundraising efforts among Japanese institutional investors. His departure comes as Apollo seeks to expand its $908 billion...
Colorado Multi-Site Behavioral Health Platform
Prime exits® and American HealthCare Capital are offering a fully licensed behavioral health platform in Northern Colorado, comprising two ready‑to‑operate outpatient facilities. The business currently generates no revenue but retains all licenses, accreditation, EMR, billing systems and payer contracts, dramatically...
Ascend Rises with Close of New Fund
Ascend Capital Partners closed its second fund, Ascend Capital Partners Fund II LP, with $791 million in commitments, surpassing its $700 million target. The fund, focused on growth-oriented healthcare services, was oversubscribed and attracted both existing and new limited partners. Ascend has...
Private Equity’s Expanding Playbook: Accounting and Consulting Firms
Private equity firms are increasingly targeting the fragmented accounting and consulting sector, where tens of thousands of CPA practices present a ripe consolidation landscape. Investors aim to roll up these firms into national platforms that can leverage scale, technology, and...
Pat McGrath Labs Still Looking for Buyers
Pat McGrath Labs has entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy and is being marketed to potential buyers by investment bank Gordian Group. The sale follows private‑equity firm GDA Luma’s recent acquisition of a controlling stake in the brand. Any transaction must settle over $60 million in debtor‑in‑possession...
LPs Highlight Red Flags Around Retail Capital Flowing Into Traditional PE
Retail investors are pouring unprecedented amounts of private wealth into traditional private‑equity funds, accelerating a shift that once belonged to institutional limited partners. This surge, driven by fintech platforms and low‑minimum‑investment products, has prompted seasoned LPs to flag potential red‑flags....
Butterfly Equity Changes Control After Partner Dispute
Butterfly Equity, a private‑equity manager with roughly $7 billion in assets under management, has undergone a control shift following an internal partner dispute. Co‑founder Adam Waglay has emerged as the sole decision‑maker, consolidating ownership previously shared among partners. The restructuring resolves...
Augmentum Fintech Accepts £186m Cash Takeover Offer
Augmentum Fintech has agreed to a £185.7 million cash takeover by Norwegian buyout firm Verdane, representing a 27 % premium at 111 pence per share. The board unanimously recommended the offer, targeting completion in the second quarter. Augmentum’s portfolio includes 27 fintechs such...
GP-Led Credit Market Explores Different Deal and Return Opportunities as Growth Continues – NEXUS
The GP‑led credit secondary market is experiencing sustained growth as investors pursue more flexible deal structures and higher return potential. Industry leaders, such as Olga Kosters of Antares, emphasize that the ability to cherry‑pick assets and maintain strong GP‑investor alignment...
Fitch: Default Events in January Double Last Year’s Average
Fitch reported that private credit defaults surged in January, with 11 events—double the average monthly defaults recorded last year. Over the trailing twelve‑month period the sector logged 89 defaults, highlighting an accelerating distress trend. The uptick reflects tightening credit conditions...
Encore Promotes Paul Rivenburgh to Managing Director
Encore announced the promotion of Paul Rivenburgh to Managing Director, elevating him from his associate role that began in 2016. The move underscores the firm’s focus on advancing internal talent as it expands its investment platform. Rivenburgh’s new title places...
Green Value Supports Transaction: Green Value GmbH Assists Balance Erneuerbare Energien GmbH in Biogas Portfolio Acquisition
Green Value GmbH assisted Balance Erneuerbare Energien GmbH in acquiring a 46 MW portfolio of biogas plants located in Saxony, Saxony‑Anhalt and Mecklenburg‑Vorpommern. The transaction includes technical due diligence and risk assessment performed by Green Value, with plans to modernize and...
Clearlake’s Feliciano Tells How to Pick Winners and Losers in AI Disruption
José Feliciano, co‑founder and managing partner of Clearlake Capital, told PE Hub that AI‑driven disruption in public tech and software markets is opening compelling opportunities in the private‑equity space. He explained that as public valuations compress, investors can target companies...
PE Weekly: Consumers Come Back Into Focus for Dealmakers
Private equity activity this week highlighted a renewed focus on consumer‑oriented businesses, with multiple platform investments ranging from women’s footwear to home‑health and fitness equipment. Notable deals include Gordon Brothers’ purchase of Chinese Laundry, Kinderhook’s $1.1 billion take‑private of Enhabit, and...
Momentum Midstream Explores Sale That Could Fetch $5B
EnCap Flatrock Midstream is exploring a sale of its gas‑pipeline subsidiary Momentum Midstream for a price exceeding $5 billion. The private‑equity firm has engaged advisers and is gauging interest from rivals and other buy‑out funds. Momentum operates roughly 4,000 miles of...
Loan Note: The Rise of the Zombie Funds; Record Year for Emerging Market Private Credit
The loan‑note briefing highlights a surge in so‑called “zombie” funds that continue to chase low‑yield opportunities despite deteriorating market conditions. At the same time, emerging‑market private credit achieved a record deployment year, reflecting strong investor demand for higher returns. Arctos’s...
Fairfax Times the Cycle with a Bet on a Manager Intent on Scaling Its Credit Business
Fairfax Financial is timing the market cycle by investing in Kennedy Wilson’s credit platform as the real‑estate firm prepares for privatization. Kennedy Wilson has steadily expanded its real‑estate debt capabilities while maintaining a global equity presence. The move reflects Fairfax’s...
Arcmont Almost Doubles Size of Previous Capital Solutions Fund
Arcmont’s latest capital‑solutions fund marks a significant scaling moment for the European private‑debt manager. The €1.5 billion close, announced by its Nuveen affiliate, almost doubles the €800 million raised for the inaugural vehicle, reflecting robust capital inflows into non‑bank lending. Across the...
Oaktree Considers Sale or London IPO of UK Wealth Manager Utmost
Oaktree Capital is weighing a sale or a London IPO for its UK wealth‑management platform Utmost, signaling renewed interest in public market exits for private‑equity‑owned financial services. Meanwhile, Carlyle’s US buyout platform is on track to realise nearly $12 billion in...
Bloomberg: Leveraged Lending Insights – 2/23/2026
US institutional leveraged loan issuance slowed sharply in February 2026, with only $22.85 billion priced to date and $9.54 billion expected by month‑end, far below January’s $164.1 billion. The month‑over‑month drop reflects heightened market uncertainty and tighter credit conditions. Analysts attribute the slowdown...
Anthropic Acquires Computer-Use AI Startup Vercept After Meta Poached One of Its Founders
Anthropic announced the acquisition of Vercept, a Seattle‑based AI startup known for its computer‑use agent Vy, and will retire the product by March 25. Vercept, which raised $50 million from investors including Eric Schmidt and Jeff Dean, joins Anthropic’s Claude Code team following a...
Carlyle’s US Buyout Platform Set to Realize Nearly $12bn in 13 Months
Carlyle’s U.S. buyout platform is on track to realize close to $12 billion of cash proceeds within the next 13 months. The firm attributes this pipeline to a portfolio that aligns with current market demand, saying its assets are “what buyers...
Alphabet-Owned Robotics Software Company Intrinsic Joins Google
Alphabet-owned Intrinsic, a robotics‑software specialist, is joining Google while remaining a distinct entity. The integration will link Intrinsic’s Flowstate platform and Vision AI model with Google DeepMind, Gemini AI models, and Google Cloud services. Earlier, Intrinsic expanded through acquisitions of...
