Private Equity 8 Hours

Last updated: July 6, 2026, 5:30 PM ET

Private Equity Dealmaking & Strategy

Blackstone agreed to acquire Dresser Utility Solutions from First Reserve, a Houston-based supplier of natural gas and water measurement equipment. This marks the first deal for Blackstone's new energy transition fund. Separately, CVC is selling its stake in premium marina operator D-Marin to Infra Via Capital Partners. In another energy transition move, Permira is backing Iberian engineering group Quadrante, marking its second deal under its Energy Transition strategy.

Investor Intentions & Fundraising Dynamics

JRT Partners, a Singaporean family office, plans to increase its exposure to the secondaries market, and is considering opportunities in the US, Australia, and Western Europe. Concurrently, CNPADC is seeking experienced investment consultants with a strong track record in due diligence across various asset classes. These moves suggest a growing investor appetite for specialized strategies and rigorous vetting processes, even as the broader fundraising environment shifts. The efficacy of the private equity model is being re-examined, with a focus on trust between managers and investors over mere fund structure. Market Trends & Sector Focus

The private equity model is not broken, but the past era of perceived uniform success is giving way to a more nuanced reality. Managers are being pushed to rethink business models, particularly in software, due to the influence of artificial intelligence . This evolving landscape underscores the importance of experienced consultants and strategic partnerships, as evidenced by the interest in secondaries and the increasing focus on energy transition investments.