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July 01: Raising capital has become more demanding for private equity fund managers, with increased due diligence requirements and regulatory uncertainty now the biggest barriers in the market, new research* from Ocorian, a leading U.S. and global asset services provider, shows. 

 The study of 300 senior executives at private equity fund managers across the U.S. and Europe, whose firms manage a combined $3.511 trillion in assets, found that 62% say raising capital has become slightly more difficult in 2026 compared with 2025. However, the picture is not uniformly negative: 32% say fundraising has become slightly easier, while 5% report no change.

 The findings suggest that the capital-raising environment is becoming more selective rather than simply more constrained. More than half of respondents – 51% – say investors are increasing the number of specialised managers they allocate to, while 42% say investors are maintaining stable manager relationships. Just 5% say investors are consolidating with fewer managers.

 When asked about the biggest barriers to raising capital, 63% of managers cited increased due diligence requirements, making it the most common challenge. Regulatory uncertainty was cited by 57%, followed by overallocation constraints at 48% and LP reallocation away from alternatives at 38%.

 The research also shows that valuation methodologies have become the most prominent risk area in investor due diligence. More than half of respondents – 51% – identified valuation methodology as the area now receiving the greatest scrutiny, ahead of leverage and financing risk at 34%.

 ESG remains part of the investor conversation, but its role appears to be changing. Nearly two-thirds of managers — 65% — say ESG is now primarily a reporting and compliance focus, while 28% say it remains important for certain investor segments.

Looking ahead, managers expect to increase allocations across a range of private market strategies over the next three years. Venture capital was the most commonly selected strategy, cited by 58% of respondents, followed by growth equity at 51% and private credit/direct lending at 49%. Renewable energy was selected by 39% and infrastructure excluding renewables by 38%.

 Richard Hansford, Head of EMEA Fund Sales – Global Funds at Ocorian, said: “The capital-raising environment for private equity managers is not simply tightening — it is becoming more selective, more evidence-led and more operationally demanding.

 “While most managers say raising capital has become slightly more difficult this year, a significant minority are finding conditions easier. That points to a market where investors are still allocating, but with greater scrutiny over manager selection, due diligence standards and the operational infrastructure behind each fund.

 “One of the clearest findings is the growing importance of valuation methodology in investor due diligence. This is now distinct from leverage and financing risk, and it underlines the need for managers to demonstrate robust valuation processes, transparent reporting and specialist operational support as they compete for capital.”

July 01: New research by Wealth Club, the UK’s leading non-advised investment service for high-net-worth individuals, reveals wealth managers and independent financial advisers increasingly agree that exposure to private markets is now a necessity for retail and HNW investors seeking to capture a broader spectrum of growth opportunities – and this trend will only accelerate over the next five years.

An overwhelming 94% of the UK-based wealth managers and IFAs who are responsible for assets under management of £332.7 billion surveyed agree that for the sophisticated retail investor, relying solely on a conventional listed equity portfolio risks missing out on the primary wealth-generation engines of the modern economy. That includes nearly a third (31%) who strongly agree that clients need exposure to private markets to access a broader range of growth opportunities while 63% slightly agree.

The study evaluates the explicit benefits that private markets provide over traditional 60/40 portfolios and cites several institutional-grade advantages, with 72% of advisers highlighting the enhanced long-term capital growth benefits. This is followed by inflation protection (48%) and access to unique, non-public market sectors (47%). A third (35%) of respondents point to the benefit of reduced portfolio volatility and a quarter (26%) cite lower correlation with public markets.

When questioned about the tactical importance of private market access in capturing the high-performing growth phase of a company’s lifecycle, 89% of wealth managers and IFAs surveyed deem it critical, with 30% categorising it as “essential” and 59% “very important”.

This trend is not a transient reaction to short-term market cycles, but a long-term strategic view. More than nine out of 10 (92%) respondents anticipate the need for retail and HNW investors to be exposed to private markets in order to access a broader range of growth opportunities will only accelerate over the next five years.

Alex Davies, Founder and CEO of Wealth Club, said:

“These findings suggest private markets are approaching a tipping point among individual investors in the UK. For decades, pension funds, insurers and endowments have used private equity and private credit as important components of their portfolios. Increasingly, wealth managers and IFAs believe suitable investors should also have the opportunity to access these strategies.

“ With companies staying private for longer, much of the potential upside now comes before they reach public markets. By the time they list, investors have often missed a significant part of their growth.

“Private markets are moving from being a niche allocation to becoming an increasingly important part of a well-diversified long-term portfolio. Investors who ignore them risk missing an increasingly important source of long-term growth.”

Wealth Club, which launched the UK’s first Private Funds Supermarket in November 2024, is growing rapidly as interest in private markets among sophisticated and high-net-worth investors continues to increase. The platform now offers 22 funds from 18 leading private markets managers and earlier this year launched the UK’s first dedicated Private Markets SIPP, marking a further important step in broadening access to private markets.

This growth is being driven by rising interest from both investors and fund managers reflecting growing demand for private market investments and the increasing popularity of semi-liquid fund structures.

Mumbai, 01 July:  Škoda Auto India continues the momentum from its Biggest Year in 2025 well into the first half of 2026. The brand registered sales of 38,894 units, which is a 7.5% growth over the same period last year. In the first half of 2025, the brand had hit its then-highest half-yearly sales in its 25-year history in India. With H1 2026, the company has surged further from its record-setting year.  

Commenting on the landmark, Ashish Gupta, Brand Director, Škoda Auto India, said, “Our record half-yearly sales reflect the growing confidence and trust customers place in the Škoda brand. In 2026, we have strengthened this connection through a focused product offensive, customer-first initiatives, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. The demand for the new Kushaq, updated Kodiaq, and the all-new Kodiaq RS, which sold out in just six minutes, highlights strong market momentum, while the Kylaq continues to drive volumes and the Slavia reinforces our sedan legacy. We remain focused on delivering differentiated products, transparent communication, and a delightful ownership experience to support sustainable long-term growth in India.” 

Growing Network

Škoda Auto India has expanded its presence to over 340 touchpoints, making the brand more accessible across India. The brand also recently inaugurated Škoda Express Care, further strengthening its promise of convenience, transparency, and peace of mind for our customers. 

Surge through performance

This growth journey has also seen the company focus on its racing DNA and motorsport legacy. Škoda Auto India’s entire fleet of cars, from the Slavia Monte Carlo and Kushaq Monte Carlo to the Kylaq, Kodiaq and the limited-volume Octavia RS, set an India and Asia Book of Records for ‘The Fastest Multi-Car Relay of a Single Manufacturer on a Circuit’. All five cars, including driver change-over times, set a lap time of 12:30.97 in total at the CoASTT track in Coimbatore. With this, the brand also set in motion its ‘Greatest On A Track is a Škoda On A Track’ campaign, showcasing its engineering and dynamic prowess while maintaining its growth momentum.

New Delhi, July 1: India’s manufacturing sector continued its steady expansion in June, with the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) recorded at 54.2, indicating sustained growth in factory activity and overall business conditions.

A PMI reading above 50 reflects expansion, and the latest data suggests that manufacturing output remained strong, supported by healthy demand, rising production levels, and consistent inflow of new orders.

The growth momentum was driven by resilient domestic consumption and improved operational conditions, enabling manufacturers to maintain production stability and expand capacity where required.

Experts noted that the sustained expansion underscores the resilience of India’s industrial sector amid global economic uncertainties, with firms continuing to benefit from steady market demand.

The positive PMI reading is expected to support broader economic growth, strengthen industrial output, and reinforce confidence in India’s manufacturing ecosystem going forward.

Mumbai, July 1: Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) reported a strong performance in June, registering a 37% year-on-year growth in total vehicle sales to 1,06,207 units, driven by robust demand across its passenger and commercial vehicle segments.

The company continued its growth momentum on the back of sustained customer demand, a strong product portfolio, and improved market performance. The increase in sales reflects positive consumer sentiment and the company’s expanding presence in both urban and rural markets.

Industry observers said the strong June numbers underscore the resilience of the domestic automobile sector, with demand remaining healthy despite evolving market conditions. The performance also highlights Mahindra’s continued focus on delivering vehicles that cater to a wide range of customer needs.

The encouraging sales figures are expected to further strengthen the company’s position in the Indian automotive market as it continues to expand its product lineup and production capacity.

With the festive season approaching in the coming months, the company remains optimistic about maintaining its growth trajectory, supported by strong bookings and sustained consumer interest.