Private Equity 3d Briefing
×Market Trends
La Caisse pe-insights.com grew to $378bn after a 9.3% return in 2025, outperforming private equity headwinds. Apollo pe-insights.com and BNP Paribas are expanding European private credit, while Novacap pe-insights.com closed its $3.8bn Tech Fund VII, surpassing its $2.75bn target. OMERS pe-insights.com reported $8.2bn net income in 2025, though private equity lags broader portfolio performance.
Major Deals
Oaktree pe-insights.com explores a $2.7bn exit for UK wealth manager Utmost, considering a sale or London IPO. CD&R pe-insights.com secured EU clearance for its $6.2bn Sealed Air takeover, while Verdane pehub.com bid £186m for Augmentum Fintech. KKR pe-insights.com tests the software market with a potential $1.5bn BMC Helix sale.
Notable Exits
Tri West Capital pehub.com exited Peloton Computer Enterprises via a recapitalization led by Carlyle Group. KKR pe-insights.com lines up a $1bn IPO for Global Medical Response, signaling confidence in healthcare PE.
Sector Focus
Inflexion’s pehub.com John Di Giovanni highlights AI use cases in healthcare, while Clearlake’s pehub.com José Feliciano discusses navigating AI disruption. General Atlantic pe-insights.com and Blackstone back a $2.5bn Banamex stake sale, reflecting interest in financial services.
Leadership Changes
Permira pehub.com named Giorgio Dinaro head of Milan, succeeding Francesco Pascalizi. Clearlake’s José Feliciano shares insights on AI disruption at PEI’s NEXUS 2026.
Challenges
NEXUS panelists pehub.com noted compressed PE returns and LP-GP alignment issues, with CalPERS pehub.com pushing for greater transparency from GPs. Blackstone’s pehub.com Perry predicts 30%-40% exit activity growth in 2026, driven by AI disruption.
Regional Developments
Brookfield pe-insights.com expanded its London office footprint via a $1.68bn retrofit push. Qatar Investment Authority pe-insights.com backed 5C with hundreds of millions to expand private credit in APAC.
Other Updates
Baird pehub.com invested in Auto Loto for worker safety solutions. Crestview-backed pehub.com One Magnify acquired Optimal’s marketing business. GHK Capital pehub.com acquired CPL, a major architecture firm. Kinderhook pehub.com acquired Enhabit for $1.1bn, while Vistria pehub.com bought Lumen Holdings.
Emerging Themes
Water infrastructure and AI adoption in ports are gaining traction, with Hg pehub.com exploring AI integration. One River pe-insights.com expanded to $3bn AUM via LGT Capital’s quant arm. Arcline pehub.com invested in Hydraulics International Inc, a defense contractor.
Final Notes
The private equity landscape remains dynamic, with strategic exits, sector shifts, and leadership moves shaping 2026. Secondaries Investor secondariesinvestor.com reported 85 continuation vehicles closed in 2025, signaling ongoing LP demand for liquidity. Lazard secondariesinvestor.com noted mid-market GPs increasingly using continuation vehicles to hold trophy assets.
La Caisse’s growth highlights resilience, while Apollo and BNP Paribas’s partnership underscores cross-border collaboration. KKR’s BMC Helix sale reflects tech sector volatility. CalPERS’s transparency push may reshape LP-GP dynamics. As AI and sector-specific opportunities drive activity, private equity continues to adapt to macroeconomic shifts.