Blackstone has generated approximately $6bn in proceeds from European private equity exits so far in 2026, more than double its previous annual record set in 2014, according to a report by Bloomberg.
The alternative asset manager has sold seven portfolio companies in Europe this year, with five acquired by corporate buyers. The $6bn figure includes proceeds from transactions that have either closed or been signed across Blackstone’s corporate private equity strategies.
Recent transactions include the £2.2bn sale of events business Clarion Events to London-listed Informa and the approximately €2.8bn sale of casino and gaming operator Cirsa to Italian gambling group Lottomatica.
On the investment side, Blackstone is reportedly targeting opportunities across industrials, defence and the energy transition, including electrification and cooling systems, as well as exploring investments in leisure, travel and experiences.
