KPMG: Private Equity Bets on Energy, Infrastructure

NEW YORK CITY-Private equity investors, although not foreseeing an economic turnaround until 2010 or later, are betting on the energy sector and infrastructure for the long term, according to a survey conducted by KPMG LLP. Energy topped the list of choices for investment when the market turns positive, while infrastructure was considered the next “meaningful” opportunity by many PE managers.

Shawn Hessing, New York City-based managing partner of KMPG’s US private equity group, says in a release that the survey indicates that “market conditions are making it difficult for PE managers to make projections for their portfolio companies. In addition, the PE sector expresses concern about the regulatory and tax landscape, funding commitments and the availability of debt.”

A KPMG spokesman tells GlobeSt.com that the survey questions did not specifically address the commercial real estate sector. However, real estate figures strongly in a number of issues discussed in the survey.