Time of uncertainty is time of opportunity for private equity, says PricewaterhouseCoopers:
TORONTO, Oct. 30 /CNW/ - A new report from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) highlights the need for private equity firms to diversify and differentiate their businesses in these times of uncertainty and outlines the key challenges the industry must address in order to respond to today's contracted markets. The report, titled 'Seeking differentiation at a time of change', reveals that larger funds are broadening their investment criteria and geographical horizons. The holding period for portfolio companies is extending and private equity managers are demonstrating active portfolio management with this in mind.
MENA private equity to grow:
MANAMA: After witnessing stellar growth last year on the fund-raising front, as well as fund sizes, private equity in the MENA region witnessed some moderation in the first half of this year.
According to Emerging Markets Private Equity Association (EMPEA) data, the fund-raising for private equity investment in the region has grown manifold over the past five years and has increased from $680 million raised in 2003 to more than $5 billion last year.
Average fund sizes have also grown from $215m in 2005 to $265m last year.
Fund-raising declined to $1.14bn in the first half as compared to $1.8bn raised in the first half of last year.
Nonetheless, this seems to be an aberration and activity is expected to pick up soon, according to Global Investment House.
