PE Pulse: key takeaways from Q2 2025
From NextWave Private Equity by Bridget Walsh, EY
July 30, 2025 · 8 min
About this episode
The episode discusses key takeaways from Q2 2025, highlighting record private equity exits and increased M&A activity despite market challenges.
In the first half of 2025, private equity exits reached their highest levels in three years. Corporate acquirers became active buyers, and firms showed increased flexibility on valuations to facilitate the sale of long-held assets. Despite ongoing market volatility, global M&A activity rose by 30%, with private equity contributing significantly. Although fundraising challenges exist, many investors remain optimistic and expect increased deployment activity in the coming months. Firms are prioritizing exit readiness and operational enhancements across various sectors, reflecting a proactive approach in a dynamic private equity landscape. Explore more at https://www.ey.com/pepulse
Topics covered
- private equity
- M&A activity
- market volatility
- fundraising
- exit readiness
Keywords
- Q2 2025
- corporate acquirers
- valuations
- deployment activity
- operational enhancements
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