More companies are paying out special dividends this year. Here's what that means. The first half of 2023 was exciting for investors, as a new bull market was born and tech stocks went on a tear. Even supposedly staid dividends got a little spicier, as 36 firms in the broad-market S&P 1500 index paid out special dividends – extra, one-time payments on top of their regular dividend payouts – from January through June, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence. That's the highest rate in at leas
Globally, private equity funds raised $444.65 billion in the first half, down 20.5% year over year from $559.02 billion in the first half of 2022, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence and Preqin data.
Private equity dry powder swells to record high as sluggish dealmaking limited opportunities for the deployment of uncommitted capital into buyouts and other investments.
Among the sub-components, energy prices experienced the most significant decline, dropping 17%. Ferrous metals also faced a considerable 11% fall, contributing to the overall bearish trend in the industrial materials market.
Global private equity and venture capital fund launches in the first half of 2023 lagged significantly behind the pace set last year as challenging fundraising dynamics and a slower tempo of investing gave managers reason to second-guess bringing new funds to market.