VENTURE CAPITAL POST

According to Preqin, the number of new private equity companies introduced globally last year was at its lowest level in over a decade and a half, The Wall Street Journal blog Private Equity Beat reported.

Of all the capital raised for private equity buyout funds last year, half of it went to the biggest funds, according to data published on Friday by London-based research firm Preqin.

Of all the capital raised for private equity buyout funds last year, half of it went to the biggest funds, according to data published on Friday by London-based research firm Preqin.

The private equity industry worldwide was able to reach $431 billion in fundraising last year, an increase of 13% from the funds raised in 2012, a Preqin study revealed.

Africa-focused private equity (PE) fundraisers have secured more than USD2 billion from January to September, according to Private Equity Africa, a publication for fund managers and investors.

Private equity firms are keeping more money for acquisitions, according to a report from the Financial Times. The "dry power" of private equity funds have risen to USD 789 billion this year.

A shift in demand from big firms like KKR, Blackstone and Bain Capital to midsize firms like HIG Capital, Sentinel Capital and KPS Capital in investors was seen in a recent survey conducted by Preqin.

The Wall Street Journal said private equity firms may soon be returning to Spain and Italy. The report cited data from Preqin and the information presented given by several sources.