Released on: May 15, 2008, 8:03 am

Press Release Author: Hawkinsdoyle

Industry: Financial

Press Release Summary: Hawkins and Doyle Inc.'s Private Equity Analyst: Shifting
Credit Markets Don't Rattle Limited Partners; over 400 Open Funds Still Seeking to
Raise an Additional $165 Billion

Press Release Body: TOKYO, Japan (24 April, 2008)-Despite tightening credit markets,
private equity firms continue to find limited partners eager to invest in their
latest funds, according to Hawkins and Doyle Inc.'s extensive market reseach. U.S.
private equity firms raised $165.6 billion in over 200 funds during the first three
quarters of 2007, a 27% increase over the $135.1 billion raised in 232 funds during
the same period in 2006. With another 405 private equity funds still in the market
to raise an additional $165.2 billion in capital, this year's fund-raising is on
pace to best the record $254.3 billion raised in all of 2006.

Of the funds raised in the first nine months of 2007, leveraged buyout (LBO) and
corporate finance funds accounted for $155 billion, or 78% of the total. Within this
area, distressed-focused funds continued to attract ever-more capital, raising $29.6
billion to date-miles ahead of the previous annual record of $19 billion that was
raised in 2006.

"Many limited partners recognize that private equity is a long-term investment,"
said Ferdinand Clayton, managing editor of Hawkins and Doyle Inc.. "They know that
consistently committing capital to the asset class over time-and not just when
market conditions are good-is the best way to generate a strong return.\"
Further analysis by Hawkins and Doyle Inc.'s market experts found that European
private equity fund-raising mirrored the strong U.S. market through out the first
nine months of the year. In Europe, overall fundraising increased 6% over the same
period in 2006 with $73.1 billion raised in 116 funds, which is on pace to best its
record annual total of $100.8 billion set last year. However, European buyout firms
saw a bit of decline during this time, as they only raised $49.6 billion in 45
funds. That is down 14% from the $57.7 billion raised in 44 funds during the same
period in 2006.

For further details contact us at info@hawkinsdoyle.com or visit our website;
Web Site: http://www.hawkinsdoyle.com


Web Site: http://www.hawkinsdoyle.com

Contact Details: Hawkins & Doyle Inc.
18th floor JT Building, 2-2-1 Toranomon
Minato-ku postal code 105-0001
Tokyo, JAPAN
Phone number: +81 345 802 168
Fax: +81-3-4496-5000