The increasing popularity of private equity (‘PE’), and especially leveraged buyouts in the late 1980s, established a novel area of research in these investments. First, research concentrated on the taking private of large corporations in the US. In his most significant paper, Jensen (1989) claimed that PE firms which function as activist investors incentivize the management of their portfolio companies to maximize value, and concluded that in the long run, private companies, owned by PE firms, would outperform firms under public ownership. Others argued that PE firms simply buy companies at a discount by exploiting private information about the takeover targets, or reduce tax spending by highly leveraging the portfolio companies. Today, many PE firms are publicly listed, and the greater transparency and availability of information about these listed PE firms, offers a unique basis to conduct research. Current research in the field of PE, and buyout investments leads to the question, in how far PE firms generate value by means of an investment into a portfolio company. Usually, drivers of value generation are classified into governance, financial and operational capabilities of PE firms. In addition to these direct drivers of value, investment and portfolio management strategies differ with respect to the ways of acquiring and divesting a portfolio company, and these different entry, and exit channels can in turn, offer distinct potential for value generation. Therefore, this paper first presents the investment and portfolio management strategies of PE firms. The strategies include different types of acquisitions, and exits, as well as the associated drivers of value creation. The second objective is to establish a link between different investment strategies, and the expected returns generated on the investor level. Listed PE allows analyzing the market’s reaction to the announcement of investments, and divestments within an event study, and hypotheses were derived for both of these types of events. Thereupon, subsamples of announcements are constructed, dependent on the way of entry and exit announced as well as on strategic decisions implemented in the portfolio company that is to be disposed.

The comprehensive guide to private market asset allocation Asset Allocation and Private Markets provides institutional investors, such as pension funds, insurance groups and family offices, with a single-volume authoritative resource on including private markets in strategic asset allocation. Written by four academic and practitioner specialists, this book provides the background knowledge investors need, coupled with practical advice from experts in the field. The discussion focuses on private equity, private debt and private real assets, and their correlation with other asset classes to establish optimized investment portfolios. Armed with the grounded and critical perspectives provided in this book, investors can tailor their portfolio and effectively allocate assets to traditional and private markets in their best interest. In-depth discussion of return, risks, liquidity and other factors of asset allocation takes a more practical turn with guidance on allocation construction and capital deployment, the “endowment model,” and hedging — or lack thereof. Unique in the depth and breadth of information on this increasingly attractive asset class, this book is an invaluable resource for investors seeking new strategies. Discover alternative solutions to traditional asset allocation strategies Consider attractive returns of private markets Delve into private equity, private debt and private real assets Gain expert perspectives on correlation, risk, liquidity, and portfolio construction Private markets represent a substantial proportion of global wealth. Amidst disappointing returns from stocks and bonds, investors are increasingly looking to revitalise traditional asset allocation strategies by weighting private market structures more heavily in their portfolios. Pension fund and other long-term asset managers need deeper information than is typically provided in tangential reference in broader asset allocation literature; Asset Allocation and Private Markets fills the gap, with comprehensive information and practical guidance.

Ulrich Lossen explores the trade-off between diversification and specialization in private equity funds. In a first step, he analyzes the influence of external factors on the choice of private equity firms to diversify their portfolios across different dimensions, such as financing stages, industries, and geographic regions. Then, he examines the impact of diversification on private equity funds’ performance.

There are significant returns to be made from private equity, infrastructure, real estate and other illiquid investments, but a competitive strategy is essential for investment success and for meeting objectives. This book takes readers through all the considerations of planning and implementing an investment strategy in illiquid investments.

Global Best Practice in Private Equity Investing Private Equity in Action takes you on a tour of the private equity investment world through a series of case studies written by INSEAD faculty and taught at the world's leading business schools. The book is an ideal complement to Mastering Private Equity and allows readers to apply core concepts to investment targets and portfolio companies in real-life settings. The 19 cases illustrate the managerial challenges and risk-reward dynamics common to private equity investment. The case studies in this book cover the full spectrum of private equity strategies, including: Carve-outs in the US semiconductor industry (LBO) Venture investing in the Indian wine industry (VC) Investing in SMEs in the Middle East Turnaround situations in both emerging and developed markets Written with leading private equity firms and their advisors and rigorously tested in INSEAD's MBA, EMBA and executive education programmes, each case makes for a compelling read. As one of the world's leading graduate business schools, INSEAD offers a global educational experience. The cases in this volume leverage its international reach, network and connections, particularly in emerging markets. Private Equity in Action is the companion to Mastering Private Equity: Transformation via Venture Capital, Minority Investments & Buyouts, a reference for students, investors, finance professionals and business owners looking to engage with private equity firms. From deal sourcing to exit, LBOs to responsible investing, operational value creation to risk management, Mastering Private Equity systematically covers all facets of the private equity life cycle.

How can private equity investors exploit investment opportunities in foreign markets? Peter Cornelius uses a proprietary database to investigate and describe private equity markets worldwide, revealing their levels of integration, their risks, and the ways that investors can mitigate those risks. In three major sections that concentrate on the risk and return profile of private equity, the growth dynamics of discrete markets and geographies, and opportunities for private equity investments, he offers hard-to-find analyses that fill knowledge gaps about foreign markets. Observing that despite the progressive dismantling of barriers investors are still home-biased, he demonstrates that a methodical approach to understanding foreign private equity markets can take advantage of the macroeconomic and structural factors that drive supply and demand dynamics in individual markets. Foreword by Josh Lerner Teaches readers how to investigate and analyze foreign private equity markets Forecasts private equity investment opportunities via macroeconomic and structural factors in individual markets Draws on data from a proprietary database covering 250 buyout and VC funds and 7,000 portfolio companies

This book describes LP allocation strategies to funds, fund structures, investment strategies, performance measurement and governance at the fund and portfolio level