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Zombie Funds Surge: Record $348.5B Stuck in Old PE Deals
22 Jul
Summary
- Private equity assets in decade-old funds reached $348.5 billion by end of 2025.
- A record number of these 'zombie funds' exceed their intended lifespans.
- This trend indicates a significant portion of PE investments are locked in aging funds.

A record $348.5 billion in U.S. private equity assets were held in funds at least a decade old by the end of 2025. This figure, derived from PitchBook data, represents a new all-time high. The situation is characterized by a growing number of 'zombie funds,' which are investment vehicles that have significantly outlasted their typical lifespans.
These aging funds indicate that a substantial portion of private equity investments are currently locked in. This trend signals a prolonged investment cycle for a significant amount of capital within the private equity landscape as of the end of last year.