PitchBook's 2026 EMEA Private Capital Outlook projects the ratio of PE-backed companies to public companies in Europe will hit a record 2.3x, up from 2.1x at end of 2025. Since 2014, PE-backed companies have doubled to roughly 13,800, while publicly listed firms have stagnated between 5,700 and 7,000 for two decades.

Robert Seminara, Partner and Head of Europe at Apollo Global Management, writes in the firm's 2026 EMEA Outlook that Europe stands at a fundamental inflection point defined not by a single macro cycle but by a comprehensive rewiring of the region's financial and industrial architecture—where partnership has re-emerged as the ultimate competitive advantage and private capital is becoming central to unlocking the next chapter of continental growth.

What's New John Cortese, Partner and Co-Head of Corporate Credit at Apollo Global Management, argues in the firm's 2026 Credit Outlook that the technical backdrop defining credit markets has fundamentally shifted, as $1.5 trillion in announced hyperscaler capex and reviving M&A activity are flooding markets with new issuance—transforming what was a seller's market into one that rewards disciplined buyers with the broadest opportunity set in a decade. Why It Matters The conv

Record Q3 deal activity signals private markets inflection point as $13T industry prepares for democratization wave and 2026 rebound.

According to White & Case LLP, European infrastructure M&A deal value reached $144.8 billion by late October 2025, surpassing full-year totals for both 2023 and 2024. Private infrastructure managers are capitalizing on structural transformation across data centers, digital assets, and renewable energy, with Europe-focused fundraising hitting €40 billion by mid-2025—already 63% of the bumper 2021 total. Major closes include EQT's €21.5 billion Infrastructure VI fund and Copenh

Private equity has evolved from leveraging quirky businesses to commanding the most valuable companies across every sector, with technology investments now representing the frontier of value creation. Brian Ruder and Dipan Patel, Co-CEOs of Permira, reveal how their €80 billion firm has transformed from traditional buyout investing to growth-oriented technology leadership during their conversation with Michael Sidgmore on the Alt Goes Mainstream podcast at the firm's London o

Private markets are experiencing a "quarter of adjustment" with higher tariffs, lower interest rates, and increased policy clarity driving renewed activity. According to Partners Group's Q3 2025 Private Markets Chartbook, deal volumes are rebounding from 2024 lows as trade negotiations provide greater economic certainty and Federal Reserve rate cuts support portfolio company financing costs.

Apollo Global Management delivered blockbuster Q2 2025 results with record $627 million in fee-related earnings (22% YoY growth), driven by unprecedented $81 billion in originations and $61 billion in inflows. The alternative asset manager demonstrated the full power of its origination-to-deployment flywheel, achieving record AUM of $840 billion while maintaining robust 350bp spreads over treasuries despite market compression, positioning for accelerated growth.

European private equity deal value dropped 10.5% quarter-over-quarter in Q2 2025 as sponsors worldwide hit the pause button following US President Donald Trump's tariff announcements in April. According to PitchBook's European PE Breakdown, the market showed resilience in deal count, which rose 3.1% QoQ, thanks to a pickup in activity toward quarter-end as European central banks maintained monetary easing trajectories.

Private equity is experiencing a fundamental shift as specialized firms demonstrate that focused expertise can drive superior returns while building scalable wealth management businesses. Martina Sanow, Partner and Head of HG Wealth at the $85 billion software-focused private equity firm HG, reveals how a European specialist has built one of the continent's most successful evergreen fund strategies.

King Street Capital Management closes European Real Estate Special Situations Fund II at ~$950 million, hitting hard cap within 12 months.

Private credit faces mounting challenges as the $1.7T market confronts transparency demands, liquidity pressures, and fee scrutiny. Key developments include Octagon's $33B direct lending push, BlackRock's 401(k) expansion, and PGIM's $1T merger. Industry veterans warn of market recalibration as PE distributions hit crisis lows while semi-liquid funds surge to $344B, signaling sector maturation amid growing retail access and regulatory evolution.RetryClaude can make mistakes.

Gravity, a carbon accounting platform, expands in Europe to meet demand for sustainability solutions that drive business value.

Platinum Equity enters exclusive negotiations to acquire Solo Group, a European leader in personalizable B2B products.

Rosenberg & Parker, the world's largest surety-only broker, opens a new office in London, expanding its global presence.

Marc Zahr, Co-President and Head of Real Estate at Blue Owl Capital, recently appeared on the Alt Goes Mainstream podcast for a live interview in Miami to discuss how his firm has transformed from a $17 million startup in 2009 to managing $64 billion in real estate assets today. Zahr identifies a massive market inefficiency: $20 trillion of property, plant and equipment sits on investment-grade companies' balance sheets as non-earning assets, creating unprecedented opportunit

Scott Kleinman, Co-President of Apollo Asset Management, spoke to the Money Maze Podcast from New York about what he calls the "irreversible convergence" of public and private markets.

H.I.G. Capital adds Antonin Marcus as Managing Director to its European Middle Market Private Equity team in Paris.

H.I.G. Capital adds Antonin Marcus as Managing Director to its European Middle Market Private Equity team in Paris.

Sculptor Capital Management closes $408 million CLO transaction, expanding its global CLO and CBO portfolio to $13 billion across US and Europe.