Private fund closures outpacing last year

Year to date, private fund closings have totaled $262.3 billion, a 30.4% increase over the $201.1 billion in the year-earlier period. In 2022, there have been 54 closings compared with 2021's 49.

Private equity funds once again led the way, with $136.4 billion through the end of May, accounting for 52% of this year's total. For all of 2021, there were $252.3 billion of private equity fund closings, or 50% of the total.

Private equity funds generated a 41.3% net return in 2021, trouncing the S&P 500 index's 28.7%. However, in the fourth quarter (the latest period available) the 5.7% return lagged the passive index's 11%.