Private Equity 2026 Clearout

Benzinga

Private equity firms are gearing up for a wave of exits in 2026 as aging portfolios, reopening IPO markets, and rebounding deal activity push firms to finally sell long-held assets.

Transcript

00:00It's Benzinga, bringing Wall Street to Main Street.

00:03Private equity firms are preparing for a large portfolio clearout in 2026

00:07after years of holding aging investments, according to Benzinga.

00:11U.S. private equity portfolios grew to nearly 12,900 companies as of September 30, 2025,

00:19while average hold periods remain near seven years after peaking in 2023.

00:24Higher interest rates in 2022 slowed debt-funded buyouts,

00:27leaving firms reluctant to sell assets purchased at peak valuations, the Wall Street Journal reported.

00:34Undeployed U.S. private equity capital fell to about $880 billion from a December 2024 record

00:40of $1.3 trillion, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers.

00:45A rebound in deal activity lifted global private equity sales and IPO values more than 40% in 2025.

00:52Executives expect more exits in 2026 as IPO markets reopen.

00:58For all things money, visit Benzinga.com.

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