Europe is the Goldmine?
Europe looks like a nightmare for investors: dozens of countries, languages, and laws.
That mess is a moat
Thread on CVC’s report
Europe looks like a nightmare for investors: dozens of countries, languages, and laws.
That mess is a moat
Thread on CVC’s report
Fragmentation = Opportunity.
Europe’s fragmentation keeps deals bilateral, local, and less competitive.
That means:
•More proprietary deals
•Lower entry multiples
The market is massive.
•$20T+ GDP
•500M+ consumers
•12,000+ companies with >$300M turnover
The 2nd largest buyout market globally, but still underpenetrated by international players.
Europe’s fragmentation keeps deals bilateral, local, and less competitive.
That means:
•More proprietary deals
•Lower entry multiples
The market is massive.
•$20T+ GDP
•500M+ consumers
•12,000+ companies with >$300M turnover
The 2nd largest buyout market globally, but still underpenetrated by international players.
Valuations are cheaper.
Median Buyout EV/EBITDA multiples:
U.S. (2024): 12.7x
Europe (2024): 12.2x
Over time, European deals consistently price lower,
Median Buyout EV/EBITDA multiples:
U.S. (2024): 12.7x
Europe (2024): 12.2x
Over time, European deals consistently price lower,
Returns hold up.
Despite cheaper entry points, European buyout returns are comparable to or better than the U.S. over 5, 10, and 20 years.
Fragmentation creates inefficiencies → inefficiencies create alpha
Despite cheaper entry points, European buyout returns are comparable to or better than the U.S. over 5, 10, and 20 years.
Fragmentation creates inefficiencies → inefficiencies create alpha
But not everyone wins.
Europe has huge return dispersion.
The difference between top and bottom quartile managers is wide.
Picking the right manager is everything.
Europe has huge return dispersion.
The difference between top and bottom quartile managers is wide.
Picking the right manager is everything.
What separates winners from losers?
Top-performing European PE funds share 3 traits:
Strong local networks → proprietary deal flow
Rigorous investment discipline → no style drift
Operational firepower → post-deal value creation
Top-performing European PE funds share 3 traits:
Strong local networks → proprietary deal flow
Rigorous investment discipline → no style drift
Operational firepower → post-deal value creation
The takeaway:
Europe is messy by design.
But for investors with local expertise, that complexity becomes a competitive edge.
Cheaper deals
Europe is messy by design.
But for investors with local expertise, that complexity becomes a competitive edge.
Cheaper deals
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