Private Equity Exit Volume at Record Levels in Q2 of 2015

WASHINGTON – Private equity quarterly exit volume was at its highest level on record at $125 billion for the second quarter of 2015, according to the Private Equity Growth Capital Council’s…

WASHINGTON – Private equity quarterly exit volume was at its highest level on record at $125 billion for the second quarter of 2015, according to the Private Equity Growth Capital Council’s (PEGCC) Trends Report for the second quarter of 2015. Investment volume for the quarter was strong as well, totaling $112 billion, the second highest level for second quarter reporting since 2007.

“A record level of exit volume is welcome news for long-term investors who count on private equity for superior returns,” said Steve Judge, President and CEO of the PEGCC. “Public and private pension funds, endowments and foundations are the biggest beneficiaries of this unprecedented performance.”

The report also found that:

  • Exit volume exceeded investment volume by $13 billion, providing strong returns to investors.
  • Exit volume grew from $70 billion in Q1 to $125 billion in Q2 of 2015.
  • Callable capital reserves increased from $431 billion in December 2014 to $467 billion as of the end of June 2015.

“Private equity managers recognized and acted on conditions that created a very favorable exit market,” said Bronwyn Bailey, Vice President of Research for the PEGCC. “The private equity industry posted an impressive Q2 and once again demonstrated the value of patient capital to its investors.”

Released each quarter, the PEGCC’s Trends Report provides an analysis of key factors impacting private equity industry activity in the U.S. The full report can be found here.

About the PEGCC Private Equity Trends Report

Designed to provide a snapshot of the private equity market, the quarterly Private Equity Trends Report analyzes key factors that affect U.S. private equity investing. The Private Equity Trends Report provides analysis based on data from PitchBook, Preqin and Standard & Poor’s Leveraged Commentary & Data.