The latest quarterly report on M&A transactions in UK financial services produced by IMAS, the corporate finance adviser, in conjunction with TheCityUK and UK Trade & Investment, shows that whilst transaction volumes have remained stable, the value of M&A transactions has dropped by 44 per cent in the second quarter of 2012.

Research conducted by Preqin for the 2012 Private Equity Performance Monitor publication shows that the total assets under management held by private equity funds worldwide has reached USD 3 trillion for the first time, highlighting the sustained growth of the industry in spite of challenging wider economic conditions.

BDO LLP, the accountants and business advisers, has published the latest results from its Private Companies Price Index (PCPI) and Private Equity Price Index (PEPI) for Q2 2012.

In this month's edition, Preqin puts the spotlight on pension funds investing in infrastructure, looks at which institutional investors are aiming to increase their exposure to the segment, and a round-up of fundraising in Q2 2012, including the largest infrastructure funds currently active.

In this edition of the PE Digest from DealMarket: The strong secondary buyouts market in Europe appears to be boosting the PE market; cable television and pharmaceuticals deals loom large; Indian PE and VC firms showing caution in the first half of 2012; and a look at the decline in global M&A values