US IPO markets decline further

Here's a quick post to mull over on the weekend..

The latest reports from the VC community(courtesy: PE week wire, April 3) continue to show a non-flattering picture for VC backed exits in the U.S

IPO: The number of Venture-backed IPO's in the U.S declined from 93 in 2004 to 56 in 2005 to 10 in Q1 of 2006.

M&A: Total value of exit was $15.4 billion in 2004; $15.8 billion in 2005 and $4.8 billion in Q1 of 2006. The number of deals fell from 186 in 2004 to 167 in 2005; and 43 in Q1 of 2006.

Another notable item was that the Carlyle Group has raised is raising another fund of $1.5 bn for investing in Asian companies.

As noted in earlier blog entries, the overall trend in private equity continues: fewer IPO's, steady number of acquistions with a slight uptick in valuations, greater role for other private equity players, and increasing interest in the Asian markets.

Have a good weekend!