Debevoise & Plimpton Releases Its 2025 Private Equity Midyear Outlook

NEW YORK, July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Debevoise & Plimpton LLP announced today the release of its 2025 Private Equity Midyear Outlook.

If there is a single theme dominating the private equity industry in 2025, it is uncertainty, much of which is emanating from unsettled and erratic U.S. economic and trade policy, along with continued geopolitical volatility. In such an environment, it is difficult to make projections, determine value or assess risk. So it is that deal volume is down around the world. Sponsors are finding that fundraising continues to be challenging, while investment managers must contend with ongoing investor demand for distributions amidst challenging exit conditions. The debt market is tepid. The regulatory front is similarly in flux, with the SEC pivoting toward deregulation, federal ESG-related initiatives and regulations being rolled back, and the White House taking a more assertive position toward the nexus of foreign investment and national security.

But if there is uncertainty, it has a positive tone, as if there is a collective waiting for the dust to settle before shifting the engine into higher gear. Dry powder remains ample. There is notable activity in add-ons and carve-outs, and take-privates appear to be on the rise. The fund finance market is strong, with an expanding lender base offering innovative solutions. Further, the private equity investor pool is poised to expand: in the EU, regulatory developments are underway that will give individual investors substantially increased access to private fund products, and there are signs that the United States may be moving in a similar direction. So, while the immediate path forward may not be entirely clear, there is broad confidence that the industry and the market are pointed in the right direction.

The full Report is available here.

About the Debevoise Private Equity Group

Debevoise is a trusted partner and legal advisor to a majority of the world's largest private equity firms, and has been a market leader in the Private Equity industry for over 40 years. The firm's Private Equity Group brings together the diverse skills and capabilities of more than 400 lawyers around the world from a multitude of practice areas, working together to advise our clients across the entire private equity life cycle.

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP is a premier law firm with market-leading practices, a global perspective and strong New York roots. We deliver effective solutions to our clients' most important legal challenges, applying clear commercial judgment and a distinctively collaborative approach.

SOURCE Debevoise & Plimpton LLP