Market at a glance: U.S. buyout and mezz fundraising this year hits $143 bln

ArcLight Capital Partners saw a bevy of interest in its now-closed sixth primary fund. ArcLight Energy Partners Fund VI LP broke through the $5 billion hard cap it originally set by $575 million. Flexpoint Ford closed its third buyout fund, also exceeding expectations. Flexpoint Fund III had a target of $750 million and ended up with $950 million. ZM Capital, the New York-based firm with a focus on the media and entertainment sector, closed on $400 million for its sophomore LBO fund.

Two firms announced they are hitting the fundraising trail. Wasserstein Partners is ready to start pooling capital for its fourth flagship fund, with a target of $750 million. Gamut Capital Management, a nascent shop created by two former senior partners of Apollo Global Management, launched its debut fund, also targeting $750 million. 

Completed deals rose by $3.2 billion to hit $131.3 billion for the year, $41.7 billion more than this point a year ago. Of the deals with disclosed values that took place, Blackstone Group was involved in the headline deal. Altegra Health Inc, a software publisher for the healthcare industry, merged with a unit of Blackstone in a deal valued at $910 million. Coming after that was PowerSchool Inc, which was acquired by Vista Equity Partners for $350 million. PowerSchool Inc provides web-based information systems for students. Rockport Co LLC, the Massachusetts-based footwear retailer, was bought out by Berkshire Partners for $280 million.