After a bustling 2018, 1Q European PE deal activity softened, but several GPs seized opportunities to take companies private in the lower-priced public equity environment. Software buyouts also featured prominently in the quarter's deal count, comprising 15.4%, nearly triple 2014's full-year total. This edition of European PE Breakdown spotlights the quarter's take-private buyouts and how imminent structural shifts within PE will likely see the strategy gain favor among investors. Our analysts also expand on the continent's exit and fundraising activity, accounting for the dearth of PE-backed IPOs and mega-funds and surging proportion of SBOs and middle-market vehicles.
