Europe: Focus on fundraising

After a lull in fundraising activity in 2016, when 50 Europe-focused funds raised just $22.8 billion, the total capital raised by vehicles with a European focus in 2017 to date rebounded to $32.8 billion, just shy of the $34 billion raised in 2015. However, the capital was raised by far fewer funds reaching a final close: 30, half the amount compared with two years ago.

Meanwhile, funds raised in 2017 overwhelmingly comprised capital focused on senior debt strategies in the corporate sector. UK-based managers have accounted for biggest portion of Europe-focused funds raised over the past five years followed by the US and the rest of Western Europe.