The 2026 outlook highlights how private equity firms are refining their strategies to deliver stronger, more sustainable value creation. Key trends include:
- Execution is now the differentiator: Firms are moving away from scale and transaction volume, focusing instead on operational influence, hands‑on value creation, and clearly defined growth levers.
- Portfolio performance is stabilising: Returns show continuity rather than disruption, with exit outcomes largely in line with last year. Narrowing valuation gaps indicate renewed confidence.
- Financing shaping strategy: Tighter credit markets are impacting capital structures, build‑up strategies, and exit timing, making disciplined deployment and innovative financing essential.
- Cross‑border investment driving growth: International dealmaking remains a crucial engine for diversification and improved returns.
- Technology at the centre of value creation: Technology‑led investing continues to surge. With TMT as the most targeted sector globally, digital capabilities, AI, and tech‑enabled operations are becoming fundamental to portfolio performance.
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