EUROPE - EVCA stats show returns improved in 2005

The European private equity industryт€™s final performance figures for 2005 show steadily improving returns across all parts of the industry. The long-term returns have now increased to more than 10% due to the improved performance of short-term returns which doubled in size on a one-year basis and on a three-year basis, moved well into positive territory for both venture and buyouts. The final long-term IRR figures, compiled for EVCA by Thomson Financial and announced at EVCAт€™s Symposium in Monte-Carlo, are measured over the last 26 years, since 1980. Since inception, the private equity industry has returned 10.3%, net of management fees and carried interest, with buyouts and venture capital returning 13.7% and 6.3% respectively.