Our recent survey of 164 private equity executives revealed improved confidence in both the M&A environment over the next twelve months as well as the exit activity emerging from that. Digging further, we see several interesting dynamics about their financing partners and the current strategies employed to maximize deployment and valuations.
As we’ve noted in the past, “relationships” and “speed and certainty” remain the top priorities for GPs when selecting private capital providers. Amid the see-saw elements of tariffs, rates and other macro issues, this is critical to ensure sellers have confidence their chosen buyers can close. Doing the last deal, and the familiarity with the sponsors’ credit agreement requirements, is often key to winning the next deal.
“Price/terms” was the third most popular consideration. This is important for investors to understand why private credit spreads and financial covenants are stickier than those of liquid alternatives...
“The US has quietly become one of the world’s most shock‑resistant economies.” – Rick Rieder, chief investment officer, global fixed income, BlackRock (FT).
Featuring Charts
Chart of the Week: Behind the Curve
Private equity fundraising through early June is slowest pace in over a decade. Source: PitchBook
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Chart of the Week: Exit Ramp
The number of PE exits slumped 1Q after last year’s steady improvement. Source: Preqin Pro
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Chart of the Week: Slowing the Slowdown
Notwithstanding tariffs, economists now view the chances of a recession fading. Source: WSJ Surveys of Economists
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Chart of the Week: Wealth Effects
The share of wealth assets dedicated to private credit is on the rise. Source: FT, Oliver Wyman
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Chart of the Week: Secondary Effects
Since Liberation Day, leveraged loan trading prices have slowly moved higher. Source: Bloomberg US Leveraged Loan Index
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Chart of the Week: The Comeback Kid
Since the 2021 peak, global M&A activity has been on the rebound. Source: LSEG
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Bloomberg: Leveraged Lending Insights – 7/28/2025
July Sets Record for US Leveraged Loan Launches The US leveraged loan market has set a record in terms of monthly launch volume, with July deal flow exceeding $218.8b. It was the busiest month for launches by both volume and deal count (153) since Bloomberg began tracking the data in 2013, shattering the previous record…
Middle Market & Private Credit – 7/28/2025
Private Asset 401(k) Offerings Increase US Alt IMs’ Growth, Complexity Click here to learn more. A potential presidential executive order to facilitate investment in private assets for U.S. retirement plans, including 401(k)s, would provide alternative investment managers (Alt IMs) an additional avenue of growth from the $12.2 trillion defined-contribution market…. Subscribe to Read MoreAlready a
The Pulse of Private Equity – 7/28/2025
Platform LBO and growth equity deals as a share of all PE deals Download PitchBook’s Report here. PE growth investment activity continues to be an important category, making up 22.3% of all PE deals in Q2, down 30 basis points from the prior quarter…. Subscribe to Read MoreAlready a member? Log in here...
Leveraged Loan Insight & Analysis – 7/28/2025
2Q25 US MM LBO volume down 30% quarter over quarter Middle market LBO loan volume totalled US$10.28bn in the second quarter, down 30% compared to 1Q25 results but up 2% compared to the year ago period…. Subscribe to Read MoreAlready a member? Log in here...
Leveraged Loan Insight & Analysis – 7/21/2025
Unitranche spreads hover around recent market lows The most recent quarter was marked by intense competition among direct lenders and lower than hope for deal flow. In turn, spreads continued to hover around recent lows despite sporadic wider market volatility…. Subscribe to Read MoreAlready a member? Log in here...
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Beginning in July 2022 The Lead Left published a series of articles on credit market. This report consolidates those articles.
Cov-lite trends Inflation & rising interest rates – LIBOR to SOFR transition Mega-tranche uni trend ESG takes center stage Login to view interactive report and download PDF version. … Subscribe to Read MoreAlready a member? Log in here Related posts: 2H 2021 Midyear Outlook Report State of the Capital Markets – Fourth Quarter 2016 Review and
Beginning in September 2021 The Lead Left published a series of articles on supply chain. This report consolidates those articles.
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