08/31/2026
One of the biggest deals making headlines this week: Aon has agreed to acquire USI Insurance Services from KKR for approximately $17 billion, including debt. KKR’s investment in USI dates back to 2017, and the exit could generate roughly $2 billion in profit, highlighting the value that can be created through long-term ownership and operational growth.
At the same time, U.S. private-equity growth funds raised a record $33.2 billion in the first half of 2026, up 36% year over year, with AI-related investments driving much of the renewed appetite.
The takeaway: PE is no longer just about deploying capital—it’s about creating exits, finding resilient sectors, and positioning portfolios for the next wave of growth. As liquidity returns, the firms that can demonstrate real operational value—not just financial engineering—are likely to stand out.
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