Latest on Carlyle European Buyout - Have they got any chance after the restructuring? how is fundraising going?
Trending Content - Private Equity Forum
Career Resources
WSO Free Modeling Series - Now Open Through
June 30, 2026
9 Free Financial Modeling Lessons
Get instant access to lessons taught by experienced private equity pros and bulge bracket investment bankers including financial statement modeling, DCF, M&A, LBO, Comps and Excel Modeling.
+Bonus: Get 27 financial modeling templates in swipe file
+Bonus: Get 27 financial modeling templates in swipe file
High Finance Applications
Guaranteed
Get at least one offer GUARANTEED
- 1:1 support
- 92% success rate
- 2,000+ mentor network
- Unlimited Live bootcamps
- AI for resume + LinkedIn
- Networking automation tools
- HireVue simulation tool
- Full course library
- Private Slack community
- 20hrs of mocks
- + much more...
Based on the most helpful WSO content, Carlyle has faced challenges in recent years, particularly with leadership and performance issues. Their European Buyout team, like other parts of the firm, has been navigating a tough fundraising environment. While Carlyle had previously planned a record $26 billion buyout fundraise, the timing of the downturn has made it difficult for funds starting fundraising efforts recently. Allocators are reducing private equity exposure to maintain portfolio balance, which has impacted fundraising across the industry.
Carlyle's restructuring efforts and leadership changes have been noted, but there seems to be skepticism about their ability to regain top-tier status. Their performance has been described as "blah"—not disastrous but not exceptional either. Additionally, their announcements about weaker fundraising targets for the next decade suggest they are not currently competing at the level of top funds like Blackstone or KKR, which continue to beat targets despite extended timelines.
In summary, Carlyle's European Buyout team faces significant hurdles, and while restructuring might help, the broader challenges in fundraising and performance could limit their chances of a strong comeback in the near term.
Sources: Updated view on Carlyle (specifically TMT Group)?, Carlyle would be so cool if it were better and I wish it was, , Carlyle would be so cool if it were better and I wish it was, Partners Group AG vs. Carlyle Group
Sinking ship if we are talking specifically about this fund series. They report on their performance every quarter you can check for yourself.
I know - I am wondering whether they have a fighting chance to recover? They are fundraising and changed most of the senior team, allegedly did a couple of decent deals lately
Given the sustained period of underperformance I think they have a very though decade ahead. They will likely keep selling a European product but I don’t think that is the greatest place to be if you have other options
Very bad - dude their EU IRR is like ~2% over the last 15 years, in the best years for PE ever...
What went wrong with their investments / in their DD?
Ut ut qui maxime voluptatum. Est a eos magnam voluptatem unde. Eum fugiat veniam tenetur maxime aspernatur earum facere. Eos nesciunt consequatur animi dolores maiores.
Ut consequuntur nihil eos facilis. Temporibus quaerat aut reprehenderit voluptatem. Fugiat consequatur quod iste est. Ratione illo sed et vel sint vero vel.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...
Molestiae aperiam nam unde eos doloribus. Et velit ut nemo et. Rerum aut aut vel aperiam dolore.
Ipsam deleniti odio fuga quisquam reprehenderit quos harum. Aut molestias rem vel est debitis.
Et at aut cumque. Et sapiente in ut aperiam. Incidunt occaecati esse soluta esse quo.
Ducimus dolorem quaerat non omnis fugit voluptas veritatis exercitationem. Quod ut dignissimos dolores ad eveniet dolores et cupiditate. Quia explicabo distinctio et rerum corrupti odio ipsam.