Private Equity 24 Hours

Last updated: April 7, 2026, 8:30 PM ET

Mega-Funds and Take-Private Deals

Blackstone and TPG formally closed their take-private buyout of women’s health firm Hologic, a transaction notable for including substantial minority investments from entities affiliated with the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and GIC. In a separate large-scale transaction, Blackstone and Tinicum agreed to purchase UK-listed aerospace and defense supplier Senior for $1.85 billion. These major buyouts occur as Blackstone concurrently harvests investor demand for dislocation by successfully raising $10 billion for its newest opportunistic credit fund, signaling continued appetite for large, complex credit plays Blackstone raises $10bn.

Sector-Specific M&A Activity

The lower middle market saw several strategic add-ons, particularly in healthcare and industrial services. BPOC executed a sale of its medical device manufacturer, Midwest Products & Engineering, to buyer Graham Partners, while in the UK, H.I.G.-backed Vernacare expanded its footprint by acquiring Eakin Surgical, a maker of single-use surgical instruments. Further consolidation occurred in the professional services arena, where Oaktree-backed GA Group acquired advisory, valuation, and liquidation provider G2 Capital Advisors, indicating a drive toward integrated service offerings. Meanwhile, Ardian agreed to divest its majority stake in Acousti Engineering to Gamut Capital Management, which plans to transform the provider of ceiling and flooring solutions across the Southeastern US Gamut to acquire Acousti Engineering Company from Ardian.

Energy Transition & Infrastructure Plays

Investment capital continues to flow into the energy transition, most recently demonstrated by Energy Capital Partners re-acquiring EnergySolutions from Tri Artisan Capital Advisors, reflecting surging private equity interest in the nuclear decommissioning sector. In energy infrastructure, Black Bay provided a capital infusion to Gulf Coast Midstream Partners specifically earmarked for advancing Phase I of the Nash Energy Storage Hub. Furthermore, First Reserve deployed capital into Lindsey Systems, a provider serving transmission and distribution grid infrastructure, emphasizing the focus on grid modernization assets.

GP Stakes Evolution and Firm Leadership Changes

The market for General Partner stakes is undergoing structural changes, with limited partners increasingly voicing interest in investing directly in GPs, potentially creating a new class of shareholder outside traditional fund structures. This diversification of capital sources is also apparent as emerging managers utilize ownership stakes in exchange for anchor investments to secure commitments, though the overall market faces a mixed outlook for 2026 Key trends: A mixed outlook for a growing GP stakes market. Amidst internal shifts, H.I.G. Capital announced that long-time executive Brian Schwartz would assume the role of Chief Executive Officer, with Doug Berman promoted to co-president alongside existing co-president Rick Rosen. Separately, Eclipse announced a new $1.3 billion fund dedicated partly to incubating or building "physical AI" startups, while a veteran partner, Jared Barlow, departed the small deal specialist Kline Hill, where he had been since its 2015 founding.

Credit and Specialized Sector Movements

Amid a perceived liquidity squeeze in the broader financial markets, Morgan Stanley is preparing to launch a new private credit vehicle to capitalize on emerging opportunities. Concurrently, investors are targeting market dislocation, as evidenced by Pershing Square pitching a merger with Universal Music Group at a 78% premium to unlock shareholder value. In niche consolidation, the roofing services sector remains active, with Sound Growth Partners acquiring roof preparation firm RK HydroVac, which specializes in dry and wet-vacuum services, shortly after SGP acquired a related service provider SGP snaps up roof preparation services firm RK HydroVac. Simultaneously, family offices are reportedly bypassing traditional venture capital channels to gain direct exposure to AI startups, turning into active backers rather than passive investors in the current AI gold rush The AI gold rush is pulling private wealth into riskier, earlier bets.