What is hot in Private Equity and what are they doing in 2026?

The Banker Next Door · Jan 8, 2026 · 14m

There is a boom in dealmaking right now in the wealth management business, this is due to private equity firms buying up smaller firms. Private equity is also focused on other industries including veterinarians and dentists. However, private equity is dealing with a few issues going into 2026. First, they are sitting on a large pile of cash, approximately $880 billion. Second, the average holding period is still pushing up against their industry high at 7 years. Third, the number of companies sitting in private equity portfolios is at 15 years high of approximately 12,900. The industry is…