Private Equity 8 Hours

Last updated: July 16, 2026, 11:30 AM ET

Private Equity Dealmaking and Portfolio Moves

Private equity firms engaged in a flurry of acquisitions and divestitures across various sectors. H.I.G. Capital launched a €1bn German residential platform named Highground Living. One Equity agreed to acquire pipe fabrication and distribution firm Epic Piping from Bernhard Capital Partners. Guardian sold manufacturer Precision Roll Solutions to American Roller Company, which it had acquired in 2022. Inspirit Equity-backed Sizemore is set to acquire, while Oridian-backed ACR acquired reusable bags provider. Ridgewood and Coogee Bay Partners jointly acquired senior relocation services firm. Ground Force Capital invested in agricultural testing platform Rock River Laboratory, which is backed by Aqua Capital. CD&R-backed White Cap plans to acquire concrete. Verdane acquired minority stakes in over ten bp technology businesses focused on energy-industry digitalization and transport innovation. Bridgepoint is set to acquire a majority stake in German laboratory testing business GBA Group from Ardian, 33. Arlington Capital Partners will take Gooch & Housego private for £345.6m. Tailwater is backing Pickton Gas Storage, led by former Nor Tex Midstream Partners management.

Sector Focus and Strategic Allocations

Private equity interest remains strong in specialized sectors, with notable activity in building products and veterinary services. CCMP is selling BGIS to Veritas, while building products companies are drawing interest from PE buyers like CD&R and Truelink. Zoetis is acquiring vet teleradiology services firm Vital Rads, owned by TSG Consumer Partners-backed. Meanwhile, Germany's KENFO plans to increase its overall private markets allocation to 30% from 25% over the next two years, though it will trim its private equity exposure.

Fund Management and Investor Scrutiny

Fund managers face increasing scrutiny on governance and outflows. Partners Group warned that evergreen outflows could reach $20bn, with private equity comprising two-thirds of its underperforming assets. A Paul, Weiss report highlights intensified fund governance scrutiny amid adversity, as limited partners seek greater control and stronger protections against succession and. In the secondaries market, continuation vehicles are emerging as a key liquidity tool in private credit, though many LPs still opt to cash out. M&G is building its infrastructure secondaries exposure, targeting continuation vehicles for assets needing growth capital rather than just. Real estate secondaries are also growing as a permanent capital flow channel for managers seeking liquidity without relinquishing assets. EQT's VC continuation fund, with Harbour Vest leading a €526m vehicle, houses eight assets.

Asia's Startup Funding and AI Investment

Asia's startup funding reached a multiyear peak in the second quarter, driven significantly by China and artificial intelligence. Investors poured $42.8bn into Asian startup funding rounds in Q2 2026, with China's $7.4bn DeepSeek raise being a major contributor. Despite the attention on large AI seed rounds, historical data suggests very large first financings rarely yield venture-scale returns due to high entry valuations limiting upside. Scaling companies are actively integrating AI into their operations, moving from pilot phases. In Germany, Munich robotics startup Microagi raised $55m, marking the country's largest-ever. Visma and its AI portfolio are focused on.

Large-Scale Transactions and Financing

Major transactions continue to shape the market, including significant takeover bids and financing arrangements. KKR and Energy Capital Partners have sweetened their takeover bid for DCC, lifting the proposal to £5.81bn. Ardian arranged unitranche financing for Astorg's leveraged buyout of Barkene, a French provider of mission-critical technical services. Recordati's board has backed an offer from CVC Capital Partners and Groupe Bruxelles Lambert, deeming the €51.29 per share takeover fair from a financial standpoint.