Private Equity 24 Hours

Last updated: June 8, 2026, 11:31 PM ET

Private Equity Fundraising and Market Activity

Private equity fundraising continues to show strength with several major funds closing, despite market headwinds. Future Standard secured approximately $3bn for its latest flagship fund, focusing on LP-led deals in the North American mid-market. Meanwhile, Crescent Capital closed its largest fund in the firm's history at $10.8bn for its fourth US direct lending vintage, reflecting robust investor appetite for credit strategies. In secondary market activity, Blackstone is looking to offload more than $2bn of stakes in private investment funds, representing one of the largest deals of its kind as buyout exits stall amid market volatility.

M&A and Strategic Investments

Private equity firms continued their acquisition spree across diverse sectors. Carlyle Group agreed to acquire Chung Ho Group, a South Korean home and healthcare appliance rental platform, for $700m, capitalizing on Korea's succession wave. The firm also completed a majority stake acquisition in MAI Capital Management, taking control of the US wealth manager five years after first investing, with Galway Holdings, Harvest Partners and Oak Hill Capital exiting their positions. In other deals, Arcline scooped up manufacturer Continental Aerospace Technologies for $535m, expanding the firm's presence in the aerospace sector. The acquisition includes Continental's aftermarket products and services for the general aviation market.

AI and Technology Focus

Private equity is increasingly positioning itself at the intersection of AI and traditional industries. Thoma Bravo sees significant AI and cross-sell opportunities following its agreement to combine HCSS with Nemetschek's build and construct segment, with the combined entity positioned to become the vertical AI and Saa S leader across the entire AEC ecosystem. Meanwhile, Investcorp launched an AI Investment Framework that will guide how the firm assesses and acts on artificial intelligence across its private equity, real assets, and credit platforms. In the UK, government officials announced a new £1.1bn bet on AI infrastructure, signaling increasing institutional commitment to the technology.

Market Challenges and Adaptations

The private equity sector is navigating a tougher market environment characterized by increased volatility and exit challenges. According to Bain & Company's latest PE report, activity slowed in the first quarter as AI disruption, private credit pressures and geopolitical uncertainty weighed on the market. In response, Neuberger PE head highlighted mid-life investments as a solution to generate liquidity and realizations, stepping into the place of continuation deals that can be complicated where co-investors have backed an asset. Meanwhile, credit secondaries are on track to reach $80bn+ in volume by 2030, with Carlyle Alp Invest estimating there was $20bn of credit secondaries dry powder at the start of 2026, offering six to nine months of deployment runway at current deal velocity.

Industry Trends and Personnel

The industry is witnessing trends toward dual track processes and IPO readiness as exit strategies evolve. Alvarez & Marsal reports that clients want to run processes where they'll see what bids come in and also see how the public markets will value the exit, indicating a shift in exit strategies. In personnel moves, Inovia promoted Mia Morisset to partner, elevating her from principal within the firm. Meanwhile, Morgan Stanley notes that TPA adoption is intensifying GP bifurcation, with GPs that can offer a 'holistic approach' benefiting from this trend. Despite market challenges, CalPERS maintains that private equity remains the pension's 'top-performing asset class,' with the institution switching to a total portfolio approach in July to better leverage this strength.