The European private equity industry has recorded its lowest deal volume for a half-year period in more than a decade, as the Covid-19 pandemic halted most acquisition processes.

As of 12 June, the industry had reported 205 transactions, down 38% when compared with the first six months of 2019, according to Imperial College London's Centre for Management Buyout Research (CMBOR). Last time the region reported such a small number of deals was in the first half of 2009 when only 207 transactions were concluded.