A report from the Center for Management Buyout Research revealed private equity buyouts in Europe reached EUR 19.7 billion or USD 26.65 billion in the third quarter this year. The figure represented the strongest showing for one quarter since 2010. Compared to the previous quarter, the number of buyout agreements done dipped for the third quarter. However, the value increased by 129% because of five deals done valued at more than EUR 1.1 billion. One of these was the EUR 3.3 billion buyout of the Springer Science and Business media units in Germany.

Equistone Partners Europe Limited and Ernst & Young sponsored the report. Christiian Marriott, the Investor Relations Director of Equistone said increased investor confidence benefitted the market.

Ernst & Young Private Equity Leader for Europe, Middle East, India and Africa Sachin Date added, "Whether this upsurge in activity means the European private equity industry is back in full recovery mode remains to be seen but the signs are certainly positive."