FTI Consulting Survey: Majority of Private Equity Leaders Say M&A Is Not a Top Priority for 2025
FTI Consulting (NYSE: FCN) has released its 2025 Private Equity Value Creation Index, revealing significant shifts in value creation strategies. The survey of over 500 global private equity decision makers shows that M&A ranks last among value creation priorities, with only 9% of leaders considering it a top priority for 2025.
The study highlights that while firms focus heavily on cost optimization, AI has emerged as the top strategic priority for 2025 and the leading factor for exit readiness. However, AI implementation remains challenging, ranking ninth out of ten value creation levers in usage and implementation effectiveness. Technology and IT were identified as the most frequently used (84%) and effective value creation levers, though they present significant execution challenges at the portfolio company level.
FTI Consulting (NYSE: FCN) ha pubblicato il suo Indice di Creazione di Valore nel Private Equity per il 2025, evidenziando importanti cambiamenti nelle strategie di creazione di valore. Il sondaggio condotto su oltre 500 decisori globali nel private equity mostra che le fusioni e acquisizioni (M&A) si posizionano ultime tra le priorità di creazione di valore, con solo il 9% dei leader che le considera una priorità principale per il 2025.
Lo studio sottolinea che, mentre le aziende si concentrano fortemente sull'ottimizzazione dei costi, l'intelligenza artificiale è emersa come la principale priorità strategica per il 2025 e il fattore principale per la preparazione all'uscita. Tuttavia, l'implementazione dell'IA resta una sfida, posizionandosi al nono posto su dieci leve di creazione di valore per uso ed efficacia nell'implementazione. Tecnologia e IT sono stati identificati come le leve di creazione di valore più utilizzate (84%) ed efficaci, sebbene presentino notevoli difficoltà di esecuzione a livello delle società in portafoglio.
FTI Consulting (NYSE: FCN) ha publicado su Índice de Creación de Valor en Private Equity para 2025, revelando cambios significativos en las estrategias de creación de valor. La encuesta realizada a más de 500 responsables globales de private equity muestra que las fusiones y adquisiciones (M&A) ocupan el último lugar entre las prioridades de creación de valor, con solo el 9% de los líderes considerándolas una prioridad principal para 2025.
El estudio destaca que, aunque las empresas se enfocan intensamente en la optimización de costos, la inteligencia artificial se ha convertido en la principal prioridad estratégica para 2025 y el factor clave para la preparación de salida. Sin embargo, la implementación de IA sigue siendo un desafío, situándose en el noveno lugar de diez palancas de creación de valor en uso y efectividad de implementación. Tecnología y TI fueron identificadas como las palancas de creación de valor más utilizadas (84%) y efectivas, aunque presentan importantes retos de ejecución a nivel de las empresas del portafolio.
FTI 컨설팅 (NYSE: FCN)은 2025년 사모펀드 가치 창출 지수를 발표하며 가치 창출 전략의 중요한 변화를 공개했습니다. 전 세계 500명 이상의 사모펀드 의사결정자를 대상으로 한 설문조사에서 M&A는 가치 창출 우선순위에서 최하위를 차지했으며, 단지 9%의 리더들만 이를 2025년 최우선 과제로 꼽았습니다.
연구에 따르면 기업들이 비용 최적화에 집중하는 가운데, 인공지능(AI)이 2025년 최고의 전략적 우선순위이자 출구 준비를 위한 주요 요소로 떠올랐습니다. 하지만 AI 도입은 여전히 어려움이 많아, 가치 창출 수단 10가지 중 사용 및 도입 효과 면에서 9위에 머물렀습니다. 기술 및 IT는 가장 자주 사용(84%)되고 효과적인 가치 창출 수단으로 확인되었으나, 포트폴리오 기업 수준에서 실행에 큰 어려움이 있습니다.
FTI Consulting (NYSE : FCN) a publié son Indice de Création de Valeur en Private Equity pour 2025, révélant des changements majeurs dans les stratégies de création de valeur. L'enquête menée auprès de plus de 500 décideurs mondiaux en private equity montre que les fusions et acquisitions (M&A) arrivent en dernière position parmi les priorités de création de valeur, avec seulement 9 % des dirigeants les considérant comme une priorité majeure pour 2025.
L'étude souligne que, bien que les entreprises se concentrent fortement sur l'optimisation des coûts, l'intelligence artificielle est devenue la priorité stratégique numéro un pour 2025 et le principal facteur de préparation à la sortie. Cependant, la mise en œuvre de l'IA reste un défi, se classant neuvième sur dix leviers de création de valeur en termes d'utilisation et d'efficacité de mise en œuvre. La technologie et l'informatique ont été identifiées comme les leviers de création de valeur les plus utilisés (84 %) et les plus efficaces, bien qu'elles présentent d'importantes difficultés d'exécution au niveau des sociétés du portefeuille.
FTI Consulting (NYSE: FCN) hat seinen Private Equity Value Creation Index 2025 veröffentlicht und dabei bedeutende Veränderungen in den Wertschöpfungsstrategien aufgezeigt. Die Umfrage unter über 500 globalen Entscheidungsträgern im Private Equity zeigt, dass M&A bei den Prioritäten zur Wertschöpfung an letzter Stelle steht, wobei nur 9 % der Führungskräfte dies als oberste Priorität für 2025 ansehen.
Die Studie hebt hervor, dass Unternehmen zwar stark auf Kostenoptimierung setzen, Künstliche Intelligenz als wichtigste strategische Priorität für 2025 gilt und der führende Faktor für die Exit-Bereitschaft ist. Die Umsetzung von KI bleibt jedoch herausfordernd und rangiert bei der Nutzung und Umsetzungseffektivität auf dem neunten Platz von zehn Wertschöpfungshebeln. Technologie und IT wurden als die am häufigsten genutzten (84 %) und effektivsten Wertschöpfungshebel identifiziert, obwohl sie auf Portfolioebene erhebliche Umsetzungsprobleme mit sich bringen.
- Technology and IT show strong performance with 84% usage rate and 77% above-average effectiveness rating
- AI is recognized as the top strategic priority for 2025 and leading factor for exit readiness
- Global survey provides comprehensive insights from over 500 private equity decision makers
- M&A ranked last among 10 value creation levers with only 9% prioritizing it
- 67% of respondents indicate M&A takes over a year to achieve expected value
- Commercial levers remain underutilized with only 23-28% of firms using pricing optimization and sales tools frequently
- Significant gap between AI ambition and execution capabilities
WASHINGTON, June 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FTI Consulting, Inc. (NYSE: FCN) today released the 2025 Private Equity Value Creation Index, which found that M&A ranked last among 10 value creation levers, with only
The survey of more than 500 global private equity decision makers highlights ways in which firms continue to over index on conventional cost levers — such as cost structure optimization, supply chain and operations — which are widely used and effectively executed, while growth strategies remain underutilized or face a clear execution gap.
At the same time, artificial intelligence (“AI”) has emerged as the top strategic priority for 2025 — and the leading factor for exit readiness — signaling its growing importance in positioning portfolio companies for long-term value. Yet, it remains one of the least frequently used and most challenging levers to implement.
“Cost has become the dominant conversation,” said Jiva J. Jagtap, Global Leader of Private Equity at FTI Consulting. “In a high-uncertainty, low-growth market, cost is often the most immediate lever for protecting value. But cost alone doesn’t deliver returns. High-performing firms treat it as a catalyst, using savings to reinvest in the capabilities and growth engines that drive sustainable value creation. Growth is harder to unlock — which is exactly why it’s more valuable. And while M&A has fallen as a near-term priority due to integration hurdles and valuation gaps, that very pullback may open a window of opportunity for disciplined buyers to make strategic moves.”
Additional key findings include:
- Technology and IT emerged as both the most frequently used and most effective value creation lever, with
84% of respondents using it regularly and77% rating its effectiveness as above average. Yet despite its strong track record, technology was also cited as the top execution challenge at the portfolio company level.
- M&A remains a staple in the value creation toolkit, but it was rated the worst-performing value creation lever, and
67% of respondents indicated that it takes more than a year to achieve the value they expected. With deals hard to execute and slow to deliver returns, success becomes a collective effort. Portfolio company leaders, operating partners and deal teams must all play their part to ensure strong operational governance, common goals and clear communications. Any breakdown here can undermine value.
- AI usage is advancing rapidly, with
42% of private equity leaders saying it is the biggest force transforming traditional models. However, despite all the hype, it ranks ninth out of the 10 value creation levers surveyed in how often it is used and how well it is implemented — indicating that many firms are still struggling to integrate AI into their operations efficiently.
- Despite their potential to drive top-line growth, commercial levers remain among the least frequently used levers — with only
23% to28% of firms reporting that they use levers like pricing optimization, AI and sales and marketing very often for value creation. Execution confidence also ranks among the lowest, signaling the complexity and resource demands of growth strategies.
“AI is no longer a futuristic concept — it’s firmly on the agenda for private equity. But intent alone isn’t enough,” said Lars Faeste, EMEA Chairman at FTI Consulting. “We’re seeing a clear gap between ambition and execution as firms wrestle with how to move from strategy to impact. The next phase of value creation isn’t just about financial engineering or cost reduction — it’s about disciplined execution in a more complex and unforgiving landscape. Success will come to the firms that translate innovation into outcomes, embedding technology and growth levers into how the business truly operates, scales and delivers value.”
Click here for more insights from the 2025 Private Equity Value Creation Index.
Demographics and Methodology
In April 2025, FTI Consulting surveyed more than 500 decision makers at private equity firms, including investment professionals and operating partners, to understand the levers these firms use to create value in their portfolio companies. The survey included global participation from the United States, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific.
About FTI Consulting
FTI Consulting, Inc. is a leading global expert firm for organizations facing crisis and transformation, with more than 8,100 employees located in 33 countries and territories as of March 31, 2025. In certain jurisdictions, FTI Consulting’s services are provided through distinct legal entities that are separately capitalized and independently managed. The Company generated
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FAQ
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