Private equity is often portrayed as a blunt and ruthless strategy – an industry dominated by corporate raiders that slash costs, strip assets, and leave behind a trail of wreckage. This narrative poorly relates how private equity operates and what ultimately drives success in the asset class. Most private equity firms aim not to impair businesses but to improve them. While measures are often taken to improve efficiencies, investment in growth is what makes those changes durable and profitable.
The corporate raider image largely stems from the LBO boom of the 1980s, when hostile takeovers and aggressive financial engineering were more common. Today the landscape looks dramatically different...
Quote of the Week
“2026 is shaping up as promising. Barring another jolt to the system, the conditions supporting more deal and exit activity appear to be improving.” – Global Private Equity Report 2026, Bain & Company.
Featuring Charts
Chart of the Week: Growth is King
Private equity returns are largely attributable to revenue growth. Source: McKinsey & Co, SPI by StepStone
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Chart of the Week: The Sweet Spot
The middle market punches above its weight. Source: State Street Private Equity Index as of 9/30/2025
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Chart of the Week: Private-Side Only
US companies that go public are opting to stay private longer. Source: Jay Ritter, University of Florida; Apollo’s The Daily Spark
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Chart of the Week: The Equity Premium
In the long-term private equity pays for more risk with better returns. Source: MSCI
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Chart of the Week: Inventory Check
Private equity remains an attractive option for investors through cycles. Source: PitchBook
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Chart of the Week: State of Returns
For over two decades private equity has outperformed public stocks in state pension plans. Source: Cliffwater
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Features
Bloomberg: Leveraged Lending Insights – 2/23/2026
February Loan Issuance Slows Sharply Amid Market Uncertainty Click here to access Bloomberg’s US Leveraged Finance Chartbook Through February 25, just $22.85b of US institutional leveraged loans have priced, with an additional $9.54b expected to allocate before month-end. Even if all scheduled deals price, total issuance will fall well short of January’s $164.1b, marking a…
Middle Market & Private Credit – 2/23/2026
Perpetually Non-Traded US BDCs See Higher Redemptions, Slower Fundraising Click here to learn more. Investor sentiment has turned negative toward publicly listed U.S. business development companies (BDCs) with private-credit and software exposure, lowering valuations and limiting equity market access. That shift is now spilling over to perpetually non-traded BDCs, which have seen higher redemptions and…
Octus: Private Credit & Deal Origination Insights – 2/23/2026
Americas Private Credit 2026 Outlook: The Year of Maturity: Private Credit Goes Mainstream as 2021 Loans Come Due This Year Click here to read the full article. Although it is too soon to call 2026 the M&A rebound year the market has been patiently awaiting, positive trends from late 2025 are carrying over into the…
The Pulse of Private Equity – 2/23/2026
Healthcare PE deal activity Download PitchBook’s Report here. Healthcare devices & supplies was the primary driver of value growth, posting an annual increase of more than 270% YoY, supported by Hologic’s $18.3 billion leveraged buyout announced in Q4…. Subscribe to Read MoreAlready a member? Log in here...
Leveraged Loan Insight & Analysis – 2/23/2026
Software loans continue to come under pressure as investors reasses exposure to the sector Fears that AI could disrupt software companies have prompted a broad sell-off in that sector this year and the downward trend continued in the last week…. Subscribe to Read MoreAlready a member? Log in here...
Middle Market Deal Terms at a Glance
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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
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