New York - Despite significant turmoil in the public financial markets, U.S. private equity firms actually picked up the pace of their fundraising during the first three-quarters of this year, and are on pace to break an all-time record, according to a new report by Dow Jones Private Equity Analyst.

Firms raised $222.6 billion through September, 11% more than the same period a year ago.

The increase comes despite a slow-down in buyout fund-raising.

"Limited partners have been saying that they intend to invest in private equity at a steady pace through the current downturn," said Jennifer Rossa, the managing editor of Dow Jones Private Equity Analyst.

"Many of these investors have learned their lesson after the venture bubble burst in 2000. Back then, many LPs stopped investing in private equity, only to miss out on some of the best vintage years the industry has yet produced."

The full-year fund-raising record of $313 billion was set in 2007.

Related Links:
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/081007/netu051.html?.v=67

http://www.privateequity.dowjones.com