PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Jack Mccarthy AU - Nick Alvarez TI - Private Equity AID - 10.3905/jpe.2006.628317 DP - 2006 Feb 28 TA - The Journal of Private Equity PG - 13--16 VI - 9 IP - 2 4099 - https://pm-research.com/content/9/2/13.short 4100 - https://pm-research.com/content/9/2/13.full AB - After a string of blockbuster deals, 2005 closed out as one of the hottest years for the private equity market in recent memory, with investors snapping up a bevy of high-profile companies and posting nearly $200 billion in private equity-backed acquisitions. While many private equity firms remain awash with money, mounting competition, rising valuations, and increasing pressure from limited partners could make it more difficult to sustain the types of impressive returns that have made private equity a darling of institutional investors. This article looks at how some firms are embracing new strategies, underscores the importance of operational as well as financial due diligence to maximize value, and examines other important trends defining the current marketplace.TOPICS: Private equity, portfolio construction, manager selection