Half a dozen private equity firms are taking steps to raise almost €7bn in new funds before the end of the year despite industry figures saying the “adrenaline shot” the market has received in the past 12 months from investment returns and rising asset values is now waning.

Sweden-based private equity firm Nordic Capital has appointed placement agent MVision Private Equity Advisers and is expected to launch its fundraising effort "soon", according to two people familiar with the situation.