Private equity deals have to pick up substantially soon, just looking at the amount of money flowing into funds.

A survey from industry watcher Preqin showed that 59 per cent of investors in private equity plan to keep their existing investment level in buyout funds, while another 27 per cent plan to increase allocations. About half expect to make a commitment to a fund this year. On top of that, funds that have money they haven’t invested are seeking – and getting – extensions to their investment periods, meaning that capital remains in play.