Europe’s listed private equity index, which comprises funds whose share prices suffered some of the worst effects of the financial crisis, has hit its highest point in nine months – significantly outstripping the FTSE All Share since the start of the year.

The LPX Europe Total Return - the listed private equity index - has risen by 29.3% since the start of January, jumping from 197.92 to 255.92 yesterday. At the end of last week it reached 257.14, its highest point since November 12 last year.