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PE By The Numbers

Quick facts and quarterly statistics about the private equity industry.

Quick Facts

  • Private Equity Firms Headquartered in the U.S.: 4,100 firms
  • Buyout/Growth Expansion Funds Currently Fundraising in the U.S.: 696 funds
  • Private Equity-Backed Companies Headquartered in the U.S.: 14,300 companies
  • Employees Hired by U.S. Private Equity-Backed Companies: 7.5 million employees

Last updated: March 2016Source: PitchBook, PEGCC Analysis.

Quarterly Statistics

2015-Q32015-Q4
U.S. Private Equity Investment$201 billion$137 billion
Average Equity Financing in U.S. LBOs43%46%
U.S. Private Equity Fundraising$39 billion$68 billion
Global Buyout Fund Dry Powder$486 billion$460 billion
U.S. Private Equity Exits$87 billion$101 billion
Last updated: March 2016. Source: PitchBook, Preqin, Standard and Poor’s Capital IQ Leveraged Commentary Data and PEGCC Analysis.