CVC
The latest research and outlooks in the ProAllocate library
- Private Markets
How AI is creating value across our portfolio: from Silicon Valley to the boardroom
CVC's Rob Lucas argues that AI delivers real value in portfolio companies only when CEOs personally lead focused initiatives, citing Zabka's dynamic pricing and Radwell's sales tools as examples. CVC pairs portfolio CEOs with tech partners like Google, Anthropic and OpenAI, and uses AI internally for due diligence and investment decisions.
- Private Markets
Designed for Durability
CVC argues direct lending's structural protections and spread premium remain intact despite software sector stress in U.S. BDCs, with Europe offering more conservative, lender-friendly terms and greater growth potential than the more mature U.S. market.
- Private Markets
Three Things to Know About European Private Equity
CVC argues European private equity remains underpenetrated relative to GDP despite narrowing the deal-activity gap with the US, and that market fragmentation rewards managers with deep local relationships and sector knowledge. It concludes manager selection matters more in Europe since a greater share of returns there is historically manager-driven rather than market-driven.
- Fixed Income
CVC Credit Perspectives - Q2 2026
CVC Credit's Q2 2026 report finds credit markets resilient with spreads tightening despite macro headwinds, urging disciplined bottom-up selection in liquid credit as European direct lending activity moderates but fundamentals stay solid.
- Private Markets
Why Sport Is An Attractive Private Markets Opportunity
CVC argues private capital can professionalise sport's governance, globalise fanbases and modernise commercial structures, while fan loyalty and contracted media rights offer diversification and resilient, low-correlation returns.
- Private Markets
Private Equity for Insurers: Unlocking Capital Efficiency under Solvency II
Solvency II reforms effective January 2027 simplify Long-Term Equity Investment rules, cutting capital requirements for eligible private equity to 22% from 49%+SA, making illiquid allocations more capital-efficient for European insurers.
- Private Markets
Why Infrastructure's Mid-Market Can Strengthen Your Portfolio
CVC argues that mid-market infrastructure, especially in fragmented Europe, offers superior value-creation potential and diversification versus large-cap deals, driven by decarbonisation and digitalisation trends. It stresses that skilled, locally-present managers are essential to capture these opportunities amid a widening global infrastructure funding gap.
- Private Markets
Keynote Interview: Europe's mid-market moment
CVC DIF's Gijs Voskuyl argues Europe's regulatory fragmentation and infrastructure needs favour mid-market investors with local presence and hands-on operational value creation over centralised, large-cap approaches. Sectors like transport, utilities, digital infrastructure and energy transition offer platform-building opportunities at attractive entry multiples.
- Private Markets
Ten Tests of a World-Class Private Equity Value Creation Plan
CVC's global head of operations outlines ten diagnostic tests for evaluating private equity value-creation plans, arguing most plans fail on baseline-setting and execution speed rather than strategic ambition.