A resurgence in global private equity is gathering steam after a rebound in dealmaking last year that saw both buyout deals and exits surge ahead to register their second highest values on record. After three prior years in the relative doldrums, the advances mark a turning point for PE and set the stage for a continuing revival in 2026 and beyond, Bain & Company's 17th annual Global PE Report, released today, concludes.

But Bain's analysis tempers this upbeat message on brightening prospects, with a caution that the maturing PE industry has reached a critical inflection point. PE firms confront greatly heightened competition for capital as well as intensified investor demands for high performance – even as they continue to contend with a series of stubborn industry challenges, today's report warns. READ MORE