Middle Market Weekly Outlook

While fees are always a topic of conversation amongst private equity investors, some are of the opinion that returns (even in a so-so year) are well worth it. The seemingly exorbitant amount of fees Calpers has paid ($3.4b in fees over the last 25 years) earned the pension fund $24.2 billion and a healthy 12.3 percent.

Insights

• Private equity fees total $20b 
• Congress strikes down handouts for PE
• Asset management looks good for dealmakers
• Strides made to close the gender gap in PE
• Exits on the other side of the pond hit records
• Exits take a downturn in Q4

Transactions

• Platt River buys tool maker Jameson
• Arbor Investments acquires speciality food distributor DPI
• New Mountain forms new company from Abry and Great Point Partners’ exits
• Nutrisystem bulks on South Beach Diet brand
• Victory Capital confirms it will purchase RS Investments
• Nimes Capital grabs Togo’s Eateries

This Week in History…Coca Cola shells out upwards of $800m for sparkling OJ drink Orangina.