Private Equity - Ernst & Young - Global

Limited partners globally agree that private equity remains an attractive asset class, but it will need to address challenges that have emerged in the last two years. "Shifting sands: limited partners' perspectives on the future of private equity" (pdf, 163kb) summarizes the views of leading LPs about the future of the PE industry.

A review of how PE created value in nearly 300 European businesses (pdf, 3.7mb) over the last four years could provide some insight into how the industry can build on its success and also overcome the challenges it now faces.  Our latest study shows that these businesses had average annual growth in profits of 15% during PE ownership.

Despite an increasing focus on active cash management by many companies, our annual working capital report for 2009 (pdf, 1.4mb) found that up to US$1 trillion of liquidity may still be tied up in working capital in 2,000 of the largest companies headquartered in the US and Europe.

Private equity is facing extreme challenges in the current economic crisis. Lack of liquidity and overall uncertainty has affected PE’s appetite for deals and pressure on portfolio company performance has surged. We can help you to both secure the present and take advantage of emerging opportunities despite the turbulence and challenge. Download the reports. 

As the private equity industry continues to evolve, so too does the role of finance directors running PE-backed businesses. Ernst & Young’s PE-backed CFO programme addresses the challenging and crucially important CFO agenda.  Our series of events are an opportunity for this community to share experiences, develop practical solutions and network with peers in a candid forum. If you would like any further information about the Spring/Summer series 2009, please contact Tricia O'Shea.