The $24.4bn purchase of Dell Computers by private equity firm Silver Lake Partners, company founder Michael Dell and Microsoft announced last week heralded the return of the US mega-buyout. And alongside what is seen as a renewed confidence in dealmaking, the US is also enjoying an improving environment for fundraising.

Despite the critical headlines generated during last year's presidential election about private equity, US fundraising jumped 20.4% last year compared with 2011 and several firms, including Silver Lake, are expected to attract significant contributions from investors this year.