Private Equity 24 Hours

Last updated: April 9, 2026, 11:30 AM ET

Fundraising Momentum & Investor Shifts

Fundraising activity showed signs of stabilization in the first quarter, with nearly half of all private equity funds that closed meeting their targets, marking the highest proportion observed in at least five years Bright spots emerge. This relative success comes as Limited Partners, or LPs, are actively re-evaluating mandates, with recent data suggesting a shift in investment priorities across the board LPs’ investment priorities; this recalibration is particularly evident in the continued diversification drive, where Asia-Pacific is expected to become a key focus area for capital deployment APAC could emerge. Furthermore, managers are adapting to evolving structures, as tiered carried interest provisions continue to create internal tension within complex continuation fund arrangements Tiered carry creates tension.

Mega-Deals and Sector Focus

Large-scale buyout activity remains a central theme, exemplified by CVC Capital Partners seeking co-investors for its proposed $12.7 billion takeover of Italian pharmaceutical firm Recordati as part of an aggressive mega LBO strategy. In North America, defense technology firm AEVEX, backed by Madison Dearborn Partners, is preparing a $336 million U.S. initial public offering targeting an overall valuation of $2.35 billion. Meanwhile, institutional investors are circling high-profile media assets, with major firms including Apollo, CVC, Ares, and Sixth Street reportedly being sounded out regarding a stake in Italian Serie A soccer league media rights.

Add-On Strategies and Portfolio Growth

Private equity firms are aggressively pursuing bolt-on acquisitions to scale existing portfolio companies across specialized sectors. Astorg is actively hunting for further add-ons for its Solabia platform, having already increased the target company’s revenue from approximately €180 million to €240 million through three prior acquisitions in the ingredients space Astorg on the hunt. Similarly, Mutares finalized a dual carve-out transaction, agreeing to acquire two automotive supplier businesses from Magna to scale its Amaneos and HiLo Group operations, a deal valued at $320 million. In the infrastructure segment, Ambienta portfolio company No Dig Alliance expanded into Norway through the purchase of Altiva, a specialist in underground pipe rehabilitation.

Technology, Services, and Secondary Market Activity

Activity in the technology and professional services sectors saw several transactions, including Charlesbank Capital Partners leading an investment round into Bridgepointe Technologies, with Carlyle Alp Invest also participating as an existing backer. In the accounting sphere, the TowerBrook-backed EisnerAmper is set to merge with KLB Business Valuations & Forensic Accountants, with the transaction anticipated to conclude in May 2026. Separately, the secondary market for infrastructure assets is heating up, as buyers seek out scarce opportunities that are difficult to access in the primary markets Infra secondaries buyers.

Exits, Continuation Funds, and Exits

Firms are utilizing continuation vehicles to manage existing assets, as Onex Partners successfully closed a $1.6 billion multi-asset continuation fund featuring stakes in Power School, Fidelity Building Services Group, and Sedgwick, with lead investment from firms like Neuberger, GIC, and Apollo S3. In planned exits, CM Equity Partners is reportedly preparing to divest specialty chemicals manufacturer Graco Roberts, which the firm has owned since acquiring the predecessor company in 2015 CMEP lines up sale. Meanwhile, in real estate, Ares Management agreed to an all-cash transaction valued at roughly $1.7 billion to take Whitestone REIT private.

New Fund Closures and Talent Moves

Mid-market players are successfully concluding flagship fundraising efforts; Court Square Capital Partners announced the close of its fifth flagship fund at $3.8 billion, significantly surpassing its initial target. In debut efforts, 154 Partners, founded by a former Blackstone executive, closed its first private equity fund at $400 million to focus on sports investments. Talent acquisition remains active, with Transom Capital Group appointing Luke Dauch as principal to spearhead business development, focusing on sourcing and cultivating new investment prospects through relationships with investment banks Transom taps Luke Dauch.