View our interactive online publication to explore private equity investment companies.
2018 sees the first investment company celebrate 150 years since its launch. In 1868, the first investment company was launched to give individuals access to a diversified portfolio of quoted companies. 108 years later, in 1976, the first private equity investment company launched, giving individuals access to a diversified portfolio of unquoted companies.
The Private Equity sector is the second largest AIC sector, with £14.7 billion total assets under management1. However, despite its size, there are still many investors that feel they don't fully understand the sector, its specific terminology or the types of businesses private equity investment companies invest in.
To help overcome these barriers, the Association of Investment Companies has created a series of videos with managers from the Private Equity sector to develop investors' knowledge and understanding of the sector, and to help inform their investment decisions.
Over the next few pages, we will answer the question 'What is private equity?', explain terminology that's specific to the Private Equity sector and show the types of businesses that attract investment from private equity investment companies and why they are appealing investment opportunities.
1 Source: AIC. Correct as at 31 December 2017