Private equity fund-raising still soaring

Is the news that Blackstone Group raised $15.6 billion for its latest fund really all that surprising? Well, you have to think returns are going to be harder to come buy. There is an awful lot of cash chasing deals, and it would be hard to maintain super-strong growth indefinitely. But pensions can't get enough, it seems. And targets still seem plentiful for the big guns anyway. Blackstone Capital Partners V will target various sectors and national economies. Already, it has obligated nearly a quarter of its assets in seven companies.

> Here's an AP article.