The 2026 U.S. Private Equity Report captures a defining shift. Firms now operate in an execution-driven market, one shaped by tighter financing, longer hold periods, and sharper investor scrutiny. In this environment, growth comes from what you build inside your portfolio—through operational value creation, thoughtful artificial intelligence (AI) adoption, and deliberate strategic growth. The private equity (PE) firms pulling ahead share a common playbook: disciplined dealmaking, sector specialization, and confident cross-border expansion.
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The U.S. PE landscape is shifting. Success is no longer defined by market momentum but by sharp execution, strategic focus, and the ability to create tangible value within portfolio companies. As financing conditions tighten and exits take longer, firms are recalibrating their approach to navigate a more selective and complex market.
As one of the industry’s largest global surveys—800+ professionals, 150+ U.S. voices—our U.S. Private Equity Report explores how the most successful firms are adapting to grow amid uncertainty.
“In the U.S., private equity is moving into a phase defined less by market momentum and more by execution. While financing conditions remain tight and exits take longer, confidence in portfolio growth is holding up, and firms are increasingly focused on how value is created within their existing assets.”
Scott Linch
Partner & Private Equity National Industry Leader, Forvis Mazars US
What You’ll Learn in This Report
In a market where deployment is constrained and scrutiny is high, firms are asking critical questions about the future. Our 2026 report provides data-driven answers to the industry’s most pressing challenges:
How are private equity firms creating value during longer holding periods?
Discover why 73% of U.S. firms are prioritizing growth capital and how operational depth is replacing financial engineering.
How is AI transforming deal sourcing and execution?
Learn how firms are leveraging artificial intelligence to process data, manage risk, and gain a competitive edge in a crowded market.
Watch our PE leaders as they unpack the critical findings from our 2026 report and share what these insights mean for 2026 M&A trends, sector shifts, and value creation strategies.
Where are the best opportunities for cross-border expansion?
Explore why Canada (40%) and the U.K. (32%) are top targets and how international strategies are driving portfolio growth.
What sectors are resilient to financing headwinds?
Understand the shift toward TMT and financial services, and why deep specialization is now non-negotiable for fundraising success.
Unlock the Full Analysis
Faced with longer holding periods and a competitive M&A environment, deep specialization and technological adoption are becoming the dividing line between success and stagnation.
Download the full report to discover the data-driven strategies and in-depth analysis you need to help navigate the evolving market, differentiate your approach, and position your firm for sustained success.