Private equity firms on both sides of the Atlantic are enjoying a fundraising market reminiscent of the boom years that preceded the financial crisis, write Chris Cumming and Jessica Davies for FN's sister publication Private Equity News.

Firms in the US raised $180.8bn during the first half of the year - 12% more than in the same period in 2016 and the best six-month total since the second half of 2007, according to data provider LP Source.