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AltAssets is the private equity news and research service from Almeida Capital
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PRINT THIS PAGE US fundraising up 19 per cent in 200709/01/2008. Source: AltAssets. 
US private equity firms raised $302bn in 415 funds last year, up 19 per cent over the $255bn (raised in 404 funds) in 2006, according to Dow Jones Private Equity Analyst. LBO and corporate finance funds accounted for 75 per cent of all commitments with $228bn raised in 182 funds, up from the $177bn in 2006.
In 2007 Blackstone raised the largest LBO fund on record, the $21.7bn Blackstone Capital Partners V fund.
A total of 22 distressed-focused funds received nearly $45bn, almost three times the previous annual investment record of $16bn, set in 2006.
‘With creditors tightening their belts, the days of easy financing are over and private equity investors are positioning themselves to capitalise when overextended companies fall into trouble in the months and years ahead,’ said Jennifer Rossa, managing editor of Dow Jones Private Equity Analyst. ‘Oftentimes, the best opportunity for investors to see sizeable returns is when overall market conditions are less favourable.’
On the venture side, 141 funds raised more than $32bn in 2007, a 19 per cent increase from the $27bn raised across 136 venture funds in 2006.
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