Goldman Sachs has worked on nearly half of all private equity deals around the world so far in 2007, in what is turning out to be a record year for the industry.

The combined value of buyouts in the first five months of this year has climbed to nearly $500bn (€372bn), according to data provider Dealogic, and Goldman has worked as an adviser or finance arranger on 50 deals worth a combined $226.5bn.