Signal Desk · Markets

Arctos says more private-equity firms are turning into zombies

2026-10-27 · 1 source · Mint Markets

In short

Arctos Partners CEO Ian Charles said the number of active private markets firms peaked 18 months ago and is now falling. He said more firms are becoming “zombies” because they cannot raise their next fund.

This matters because fewer firms may be able to keep operating normally if fundraising stays weak. The report does not name the affected firms or say how many are in trouble.

What the reporting says

Arctos Partners CEO Ian Charles said the number of active private markets firms peaked 18 months ago and has started to decline because more firms cannot raise their next fund. The reporting describes these managers as zombies, but it does not name the firms or quantify the drop. The immediate implication is tougher fundraising conditions across private markets.

Why it matters

Arctos Partners CEO Ian Charles said the number of active private markets firms peaked 18 months ago and has begun to decline as more managers fail to raise successor funds. The reporting frames these firms as “zombies,” meaning they are still operating but struggling to secure new capital. The development suggests a tighter private markets fundraising environment, though no firm names or counts are provided.

Touches: Arctos Partners, Markets, Global, Companies

Sources