Private Equity Gears Up for 2026 Recovery Amid Liquidity Tightness
Bain's 2026 Global Private Equity Report shows 2025 was a rebound year driven by megadeals and an M&A-fueled surge in exits, pushing deal value to $904B and exit value to $717B—the second-best on record—while liquidity remains uneven as distributions lag and dry powder sits near $1.3 trillion. The industry is maturing into a hyper-competitive regime where scale, repeatable value creation, and sophisticated investor relations matter more than ever. LPs remain patient but constrained by undrawn commitments, pressuring GPs to deliver top-quartile returns and a clear, differentiated strategy. Continuation vehicles are growing as a liquidity tool but still account for less than 10% of exit value, and a broad rebound will depend on faster exits and improved DPI across vintages. In 2026, easing rates, a robust deal pipeline, and strength in public markets should support more activity, though high multiples and a higher bar for value creation persist.