Are we really going to see more private equity companies follow the Blackstone Group to the public markets? At the Milken Global Conference, David Rubenstein, co-founder of the Carlyle Group, said that initial public offerings might be necessary for private equity firms to stay competitive, to get and retain the best employees. He said he wouldn't be surprised if all the top firms were public five years from now. He also noted that the founder might be wanting to "take some money off the table" as they head toward retirement. So does that mean the Carlyle Group is considering such a move? Well, you have to think that all the top firms are mulling such a move. There have been rumors about all of them. Apollo's Leon Black confirmed he is considering the move.

For more:
- here's the Financial Times article