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PE by the Numbers
- Equity investments by PE firms in 2007: $234 billion
- PE funds raised in 2008: $341 billion
- PE transactions in 2008: 1,846
- Average PE equity contribution in 2007: 32%
- Largest PE investments by industry in 2008: Finance; Professional Services; Healthcare; Oil and Gas; Computers and Electronics
- Cumulative net profits returned to investors through 2007: $1.12 trillion
- Average annual return to investors from top-quartile PE firms 1980-2005: 39%
- Share of investments in top 100 PE firms from pension funds, endowments, foundations: 70%
- Number of PE firms in U.S.: 1,040
- Number of PE firms worldwide: 2,150
- Sources and more data
Private Equity investments drive growth, innovation, value at American companies
Through investments in such companies as Hilton Hotels, MGM Studios, Univision, AxleTech, SunGard, Continental Airlines, Dunkin' Brands, J. Crew and hundreds of others, well-known and lesser-known, private equity partnerships help deliver innovative products and services to consumers, provide employment opportunities and drive economic growth.
What's New
Private Equity plays a key role in economic recovery, new report finds
During the early stages of an economic recovery, private equity investment represents "the first money in," according to a new research paper by economist Dr. Robert Shapiro. According to data gathered by Dr. Shapiro, during the past five periods of negative economic growth in the U.S., private equity investment increased by 94 percent during the initial year of recovery, even as total business investments continued to decline.
Download "The Role of the Private Equity Sector Promoting Economic Recovery"
