Opportunities in Lower Middle Market Private Equity

July 15, 2019

Evaluating the Lower Middle Market (LMM) segment of the private equity market with a focus on funds with assets under management (AUM) of less than $500 million - we find LMM private equity attractive because it offers lower purchase multiples, lower use of financial debt, more inefficiencies, and less competition compared to larger funds. These characteristics combine to increase the potential for outperformance. Adjusted for leverage, LMM private equity offers better risk-adjusted returns versus larger private companies.