The private equity secondary market has transformed from an obscure corner of alternative investments into a thriving ecosystem with record-breaking transaction volumes. As we previously touched on the origin of secondary markets in private equity, this market emerged as a solution to the fundamental illiquidity challenges found in private equity, where traditional closed-end fund structures typically lock up capital for 7-10 years or longer.
What was once a niche market primarily serving distressed sellers, has now evolved dramatically. The global secondary market saw an all-time-high in transaction volume of $160 billion in 2024, representing substantial growth from $114 billion in 2023 and $103 billion in 2022. Over the past decade, secondaries have grown at an impressive compound annual rate of 18%, outpacing even the robust 15% growth rate of the primary private equity market1.
This robust growth can be attributed to the favourable market environment especially over the last few years, but more importantly to long-term structural changes within private markets.
GLOBAL SECONDARIES TRANSACTIONS ($BN)
The secondary market's expansion shows no signs of slowing down, with some projections suggesting annual transaction volumes potentially reaching $200 billion by 20253. As the market matures, we can expect further innovations in transaction structures, pricing mechanisms, and accessibility. Funds such as Carmignac Private Evergreen are already capitalizing on these trends.
*Risk Scale from the KID (Key Information Document). Risk 1 does not mean a risk-free investment. This indicator may change over time. **The Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) 2019/2088 is a European regulation that requires asset managers to classify their funds as either 'Article 8' funds, which promote environmental and social characteristics, 'Article 9' funds, which make sustainable investments with measurable objectives, or 'Article 6' funds, which do not necessarily have a sustainability objective. For more information please refer to https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2019/2088/oj.
MARKETING COMMUNICATION. Please refer to the KID/KIID/prospectus of the fund before making any final investment decisions.
The decision to invest in the promoted fund should take into account all its characteristics or objectives as described in its prospectus. This document may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, without prior authorisation from the management company. It does not constitute a subscription offer, nor does it constitute investment advice. The information contained in this document may be partial information and may be modified without prior notice. The Management Company can cease promotion in your country anytime. Investors have access to a summary of their rights on the following link (paragraph 5): https://www.carmignac.com/en/regulatory-information. The Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) 2019/2088 is a European regulation that requires asset managers to classify their funds as either 'Article 8' funds, which promote environmental and social characteristics, 'Article 9' funds, which make sustainable investments with measurable objectives, or 'Article 6' funds, which do not necessarily have a sustainability objective. For more information, please refer to https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2019/2088/oj. Reference to certain securities and financial instruments is for illustrative purposes to highlight stocks that are or have been included in the portfolios of funds in the Carmignac range. This is not intended to promote direct investment in those instruments, nor does it constitute investment advice. The Management Company is not subject to prohibition on trading in these instruments prior to issuing any communication. The portfolios of Carmignac funds may change without previous notice. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future performance. Performances are net of fees (excluding possible entrance fees charged by the distributor). The return may increase or decrease as a result of currency fluctuations. Carmignac Private Evergreen refers to the Private Evergreen sub-fund of the SICAV Carmignac S.A. SICAV – PART II UCI, registered with the Luxembourg RCS under number B285278. Access to the Fund may be subject to restrictions with regard to certain persons or countries. The Fund may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, for the benefit or on behalf of a U.S. person, according to the definition of the US Regulation S and/or FATCA. The Fund presents a risk of loss of capital. The risk, fees and ongoing charges are described in the KIDs (Key Information Document). The Fund's respective prospectuses, KIDs, NAV and annual reports are available at www.carmignac.com, or upon request to the Management Company. The KIDs must be made available to the subscriber prior to subscription. In Switzerland, the Fund’s respective prospectuses, KIDs and annual reports are available at www.carmignac.ch, or through our representative in Switzerland, CACEIS (Switzerland), S.A., Route de Signy 35, CH-1260 Nyon. The paying agent is CACEIS Bank, Montrouge, succursale de Nyon/Suisse, Route de Signy 35, 1260 Nyon. The KID must be made available to the subscriber prior to subscription. In the UK, the Funds’ respective prospectuses, KIDs and annual reports are available at www.carmignac.co.uk, or upon request to the Management Company. This material was prepared by Carmignac Gestion, Carmignac Gestion Luxembourg or Carmignac UK Ltd and is being distributed in the UK by Carmignac Gestion Luxembourg.