Private Equity
PE fund performance rockets following pandemic lows, but threats loom
February 11, 2022
Private equity fund performance continued to climb in 2021, emerging from the fog of pandemic-induced lows.
Fund returns in Q2 2021 were nearly 55% higher than in the previous year, according to PitchBook's latest Global Fund Performance Report. While performance is already beginning to normalize following the turbulence of late 2020 and early 2021, trend growth may continue as economic growth remains robust and consumer demand continues to drive the economy. However, interest rate hikes, a tight labor market and inflation pose threats to further fund prosperity.
A flurry of massive IPOs saw many firms monetize portfolio companies well above carrying value, further boosting performance figures. Rampant exit activity pushed distributions higher, and record-setting exit figures will likely lead to equally gargantuan distributions back to LPs when mandated holding periods expire.
While PE funds were up across the board, mega-funds–vehicles of $5 billion or more–were the best performers, proving more resilient during the economic downturn.
Analysts expect a number of threats to emerge in 2022, potentially harming fund profits for portfolio companies across sectors. These include a tight labor market, enduring inflationary pressures such as a surge in raw material prices, and an expectation for several interest rate hikes to combat inflation.
But an abundance of cash on corporate balance sheets and PE dry powder indicates the competitive M&A environment will likely endure.
Featured image by shutter_m/Getty Images
Fund returns in Q2 2021 were nearly 55% higher than in the previous year, according to PitchBook's latest Global Fund Performance Report. While performance is already beginning to normalize following the turbulence of late 2020 and early 2021, trend growth may continue as economic growth remains robust and consumer demand continues to drive the economy. However, interest rate hikes, a tight labor market and inflation pose threats to further fund prosperity.
A flurry of massive IPOs saw many firms monetize portfolio companies well above carrying value, further boosting performance figures. Rampant exit activity pushed distributions higher, and record-setting exit figures will likely lead to equally gargantuan distributions back to LPs when mandated holding periods expire.
While PE funds were up across the board, mega-funds–vehicles of $5 billion or more–were the best performers, proving more resilient during the economic downturn.
Analysts expect a number of threats to emerge in 2022, potentially harming fund profits for portfolio companies across sectors. These include a tight labor market, enduring inflationary pressures such as a surge in raw material prices, and an expectation for several interest rate hikes to combat inflation.
But an abundance of cash on corporate balance sheets and PE dry powder indicates the competitive M&A environment will likely endure.
Related read: Global Fund Performance Report
Featured image by shutter_m/Getty Images
Comments:
Thanks for commenting
Our team will review your remarks prior to publishing.
Please check back soon to see them live.