Private Equity 24-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: March 19, 2026, 12:30 PM ET
Dealmaking & Exits
Private equity firms are actively pursuing large-scale divestitures across Europe, with CVC and Nordic Capital exploring exit routes for the automotive components supplier Cary Group that could yield an enterprise valuation exceeding €3 billion. Simultaneously, Permira is preparing to exit its stake in Altamar CAM, a major private markets investment firm managing €20 billion in assets, by selling to Mercer. These potential sales contrast with longer typical hold periods now observed across the sector, while other GPs are also seeking exits for HVAC assets, indicating a measured pace of realizations despite market uncertainty.
In North America, the M&A pipeline remains active across specialized sectors, as Blackstone-backed Chartis acquires health tech advisory firm Leap AI, continuing PE's focus on integrating technology within healthcare services. Elsewhere, LS Power is with a massive $5 billion acquisition of 4.4 gigawatts of natural gas generation capacity in Delaware and Pennsylvania from Constellation Energy, signaling substantial capital deployment into energy infrastructure. Furthermore, Sterling is snapping up managed IT services provider Cyber Advisors to bolster its technology service portfolio, while Fort Point recapitalizes environmental services firm Boston Green.
Sector Focus: Healthcare & Industrials
Consolidation continues within the life sciences space, evidenced by the merger of two B-Flexion Life Sciences-backed entities, Paratek and Radius Health, a transaction supported by a $1.3 billion financing package advised by Mintz. In the railway maintenance sector, ICG is backing Comcreta to accelerate its expansion, aligning with accelerating investment flows into Italy’s rail infrastructure projects. Meanwhile, in the food sector, Ares has led a continuation vehicle to ensure ongoing backing for premium frozen baked goods producer Europastry, following JC Flowers winning a European small-cap deal award.
Secondaries & Fund Strategy Shifts
The secondaries market is adapting its focus away from pure technology plays, with Houlihan Lokey observing that technology is moving down the list of favored continuation vehicle (CV) sectors as LPs react to recent tech disruption. In response to this shift, HighVista Strategies has appointed Raudel Yanez as managing director to spearhead its GP-led secondaries strategy specifically targeting the lower middle market private equity segment. On the fundraising front, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has committed $40 million toward the Templeton Türkiye private equity fund, which is aiming to close on $300 million, demonstrating continued international institutional support for emerging market mandates.
Talent Moves & Operational Considerations
Personnel changes are reshaping senior teams within the industry, as former CVC MD Jonathan Au joins Revelation Partners, following his departure from CVC last June. Concurrently, American Pacific promoted Rahul Mohan to managing director after he joined the firm in 2020, indicating internal succession planning. For fund managers looking to optimize tax efficiency and legacy planning, CPA Anthony Venette advises that gifting carried interest early allows future appreciation to accrue outside of the general partner’s estate, providing substantial tax advantages.
Venture & Climate Tech Activity
While traditional PE focuses on large buyouts, venture capital continues to deploy capital into areas like AI and climate solutions. BNP Paribas Asset Management Alts invested in Farm Carbon, a climate-focused vehicle designed to scale methane reduction efforts within agriculture. In the competitive artificial intelligence field, Index is backing YC alum Parallel with a $20 million Series A to deploy AI agents in hospital settings, while two former Palantir veterans launched their stealth company with $30 million and support from Sequoia. Firms are also being urged to move beyond theoretical AI discussions, with experts advising managers to measure tangible business outputs from AI pilots to justify investments.