Fundraising

Blackstone has held an initial close of $5bn for Strategic Partners Fund X with 'another major close' expected in the coming weeks, president and COO Jon Gray said on the firm's earnings call.

The latest issue of Private Equity International magazine is out, including a new feature; a survey of DC pension funds in the UK finds low appetite for enforced local investing; an ex-Investcorp exec's firm says it has raised $3bn for tech and growth deals.

A majority of LPs are concerned about the 'influence' retail-oriented partnerships could have on the strategies of GPs, a Coller Capital survey found.

In today's edition, A veteran of UK private capital markets says the rise of private credit could lead to GFC-like concerns; Fundraising round-ups across infra, VC, impact, private debt and secondaries; Evergreens' love affair with secondaries looks set to continue.

Last year, the firm closed its third cycle of the evergreen fund dubbed Vivo Opportunity Fund with over $740m in commitments.

The San Francisco manager's flagship, Francisco Partners VIII, is set to raise $14bn, and its companion vehicle, Francisco Partners Agility IV, $4bn, sources told Buyouts.

Traditional buyout firms are taking advantage of what is widely considered a deficit of capital available for the growing number of opportunities in the secondary market, as GPs and LPs seek ways to monetize assets in older funds.

In today's edition, The number of funds in market has soared yet again; A $31 billion pension is ramping up its private equity budget; What you need to know about marketing funds.

Auldbrass acquires secondary interests through LP-led and GP-led opportunities (such as continuation vehicles) in mid-market buyout, global buyout and growth equity.