Private equity

Charlesbank is reportedly in advanced discussions to acquire a stake in WSHB. This move represents one of private equity's largest investments into the US legal sector.

The viability of private equity compared to public markets has shifted due to higher interest rates and peak valuations from 2020 and 2021, making debt-financed buyouts harder. University of Chicago Booth professor Steven Kaplan notes this reversal in pattern since 2019, while PitchBook reports that the backlog of companies held by private equity firms is now over 33,000.

Private equity can achieve significant success through education deals. Britain's universities are viewed as offering rich opportunities, making them appealing investments for financial buyers.

Alice Kim left her corporate career in investment banking after six years due to burnout. She realized that her chronic stress stemmed from her own mindset, rather than the demanding industry itself. During an 18-month career break, she discovered surfing and traveling, which helped her recognize how trapped she had been within her finance bubble.

The UK market for initial public offerings is experiencing a slump, which is negatively affecting private equity and venture capital firms. As a result, these investment groups have fewer exit routes and are increasing their dependence on selling assets to large corporates or other buyout shops to generate returns, according to PitchBook data.

Italy’s Nextalia Investment Management raised over €1.1 billion for its second private equity strategy fund, targeting opportunities in its home market.

Insurers have become a major driver of the private credit boom through partnerships or acquisitions with private equity firms. This entanglement raises concerns about risk, regulation, and potential taxpayer liability, as explored in a new paper by Andrew Granato and Pranjal Drall.

Private credit has become entangled with insurance, particularly life insurance, as private equity (PE) has significantly reshaped the industry.

Private equity firms have become major players in the private credit boom through partnerships or acquisitions of insurance companies, altering the insurance industry and raising concerns about risk and regulation. A paper by Andrew Granato and Pranjal Drall examines how private equity uses insurers to socialize risk through private credit.

The U.S. Department of Energy plans to convert a Cold War-era uranium enrichment site in Kentucky into a $100 billion AI data center and gas power complex, funded by private equity.

The Supreme Court will decide in Anderson v. Intel Corporation Investment Policy Committee whether plaintiffs must identify a 'meaningful benchmark' to sue over underperforming retirement investments. The case centers on Intel's post-2008 shift to diversified funds prioritizing loss reduction over high returns, which plaintiffs argue trailed stock-heavy funds despite meeting inflation-adjusted targets. The outcome could reshape litigation risks for employer-sponsored retirement plans under ERISA, affecting over 100 million Americans.

KKR's profits increased significantly as it generated a record amount from private equity investments. The firm navigated market turmoil that has limited asset sales and fundraising for other private capital firms.

Ares is pursuing a major private capital deal that appears close to home. The article notes that while private equity and credit coexistence is common, this partnership will test the involved cultures.

A new book by John McDonough, 'America’s Wrong Turn: US Health Care in the Neoliberal Era,' argues that America's expensive and underperforming health care system resulted from neoliberal policies starting in the 1980s. The book examines how deregulation, market-driven approaches, and industry consolidation worsened health care outcomes, with private equity's financialization of health care as a key factor.

Joint ventures between private equity firms and healthcare nonprofits are rising, but critics argue they conflict in mission. These partnerships may challenge recent state laws aimed at regulating private equity in healthcare.

A nonprofit hospice in Washington partnered with Compassus, a private equity-backed company, leading to operational changes that pressured staff to increase patient visits and falsify documents. Critics warn that such joint ventures may bypass state laws aimed at regulating private equity in healthcare.

Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer signed a two-year moratorium on private equity purchases of nonprofit hospitals, citing the collapse of Crozer Health as justification. The legislation aims to prevent similar financial exploitation and improve healthcare access and affordability in the state.

Private equity-backed Compassus partnered with nonprofit Providence in a joint venture, leading to operational changes that increased patient visit demands and raised concerns about substandard care. Critics worry state laws targeting private equity in healthcare may not apply to such joint ventures.

The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act became law without President Donald Trump's signature after he refused to act for over two weeks. The bipartisan bill includes measures to incentivize housing construction, reduce barriers to development, and restrict private equity from purchasing single-family homes, with nearly 90% voter support. The legislation is highlighted as a step toward addressing housing affordability, though further actions on credit card interest rates and grocery costs are called for.

A nonprofit hospice partnered with Compassus, a private equity-backed company, leading to operational changes that pressured staff to increase patient visits and altered documentation practices. State laws targeting private equity in healthcare may not fully address such joint ventures, raising concerns about oversight.

A nonprofit hospice in Washington partnered with private equity-backed Compassus in a joint venture, leading to operational changes that increased patient loads and pressured staff to falsify documents, raising concerns about state laws regulating private equity in healthcare. The partnership has resulted in staff departures and safety issues, with critics fearing existing regulations may not cover such ventures.

CalPERS achieved a 14.8% investment return in the 2025-26 financial year, surpassing its 6.8% target and marking its best performance since 2014. The improved returns reduced its underfunded status to 85% of liabilities, easing pressure on government agencies and taxpayers to cover shortfalls.

A nonprofit hospice partnered with a private equity-backed company in a joint venture, leading to increased patient care demands and operational changes that staff describe as harmful. Concerns are growing that such partnerships may circumvent new state laws aimed at regulating private equity in healthcare.

A nonprofit hospice partnered with a private equity-backed company, leading to operational changes that pressured staff to increase patient visits and engage in unethical practices. Critics worry state laws targeting private equity in healthcare may not cover such joint ventures, risking patient safety and community health.

British budget airline EasyJet has agreed to a £5.7-billion takeover by U.S. private equity firm Apollo, surpassing a rival bid from American private equity investor Castlelake. The deal marks a strategic shift for the airline amid competing offers.

Big Tech companies are increasing capital expenditures, leading to a decline in free cash flow, while firms producing AI processing and memory chips are generating significant profits. Investors are shifting focus from large language models (LLMs) to AI infrastructure, applications, and memory chips, with potential changes as hyperscalers outsource costs and chipmakers expand their investments.

Hamilton Lane raised $3.8 billion for a fund targeting mid-market private equity investments. The firm's co-investment strategy focuses on smaller and mid-sized companies that typically avoid public offerings, which the firm's Co-CEO Erik Hirsch highlights as a source of significant private market returns.

Fire departments across the U.S. face a national firetruck shortage with orders delayed for years, leading to higher costs and safety risks. Private equity consolidation has reduced manufacturers to three companies, exacerbating the backlog. A Chicago fire involving a 24-year-old ladder truck highlighted the dangers of aging equipment.

Firetruck orders are backlogged across the U.S., causing delays and increased costs for taxpayers. Private equity consolidation has reduced manufacturers to three companies, driving up prices and risks for firefighters. Customization of fire trucks adds to delivery delays, while aging fleets force departments to seek faster stock truck alternatives.

A national firetruck shortage caused by a backlog of orders is leading to increased costs and delayed responses, with some fire departments waiting years for new trucks. Private equity consolidation has reduced manufacturers to three, driving up profit margins while firefighters use aging equipment. A Chicago fire highlighted the risks, where a 24-year-old truck failed during a fatal incident.

Blackstone is investing heavily in AI with over $150 billion in data center bets and plans to create an 'AI McKinsey' for economic transformation. Sophia Oguri, an applied AI engineer at Blackstone, works with private equity and infrastructure teams to prototype AI tools, requiring frequent meetings to align business needs with technical solutions.

Bending Spoons, an Italian software company, is being analyzed for its potential success as a listed company, using strategies from the private-equity playbook. The article highlights its rare status as a prominent software firm in Italy.

A U.S. House Education and Workforce subcommittee held a bipartisan hearing to examine private equity's influence in youth sports, focusing on concerns about rising costs and reduced access for families. Testimony highlighted both potential benefits of private investment and risks of prioritizing financial returns over child development. The youth sports industry generates $40 billion annually, with families spending an average of $1,016 per year per child on participation.

Congress members from both Democratic and Republican parties have raised concerns about private equity investments in youth sports. The trend is under scrutiny in Congress.

Almost £24.4bn of UK government spending on public contractors went to private equity-controlled companies in the year to April 2025, with £1 in every £11 allocated to such firms. Concerns were raised about financial fragility, cost-cutting, and conflicting interests in profit-driven public services like transport, waste management, and healthcare.

QuidelOrtho plans to sell its testing unit amid private equity interest in healthcare companies. The company's shares have declined by 90% since its rapid antigen tests were the first approved for Covid-19.

Private equity investments in youth sports offer benefits but also result in increased costs and potential inequality. The article highlights both the positive and negative impacts of these investments.

The National Assembly passed the Finance Bill 2026, scrapping a proposed tax on low-sugar mineral water and hydration drinks, granting tax breaks for local airlines importing aircraft parts, and adjusting excise duties on electric vehicles based on their dollar value. Traders with turnover up to Rs200 million may opt out of a fixed tax regime, and income from private equity and venture capital funds is now tax-exempt.

The House is expected to pass an affordable housing bill designed to reduce homebuyer costs and limit private equity influence. The bill could be sent to President Trump for final approval.

Pizza Hut's sale to private equity marks the decline of a North Texas business empire. The article questions the future of personal pan pizzas.