Preqin 2025 Global Report: Private Equity

Private equity has weathered the storm of rate hikes, with AUM continuing to grow and investors optimistic about the year ahead.

• Half of investors aim to increase their investment in private equity in 2025, compared with 28% the year before, although exits and asset valuations are still a concern

• Up to the third quarter of 2024, total exits reached 80% of the 2023 total, but only 54% of the 2023 aggregate value, as GPs were more successful with smaller exits

• Our deal-level performance data shows outperformance by buyouts in Europe, with Europe’s 2021 median net IRR of 14.5% exceeding North America’s 11.6%

• Secondaries have remained popular in 2024, but investors indicate a shift back to small- to mid-market buyouts in our latest survey