August 2019 - Chart of the Month

Chart I - Total PE Activity First-Half 2019, Source: Pitchbook

Private Equity deal activity for the first-half of 2019 is well off pace from previous years. According to data from Pitchbook, 2,142 deals were completed in the first-half of 2019, well behind the pace of 2018, which totaled 5,180. From a return standpoint, exits have been particularly low, totaling only 371 for the first-half of the year. As economic and political uncertainty has plagued the markets, these concerns are suppressing deal activity. Additionally, after 10 years of growth the market might finally have reached a short-term limit, especially given the height of multiples in recent years.

Chart II - Total PE Exits First-Half 2019, Source: Pitchbook