A total of 42 new investment funds were launched during fourth quarter 2016, bringing the year-end total to 170 new funds launched in 2016. The figures are up slightly from third quarter’s 40 new funds and up from the 2015 total of 153 new funds. The new funds launched during the fourth quarter are seeking an aggregate fundraising target of $33.1 billion, up significantly from third quarter’s aggregate of approximately $19 billion.

For the third consecutive quarter in a row the Americas-focused strategy lead the way for the geographic focus during the fourth quarter with a targeted fundraising volume of $17.4 billion (52.4 percent) as well as boasting the largest fund launched in the fourth quarter 2016.

The Carlyle Group’s Carlyle Realty Partners VIII, a closed-end opportunistic fund launched in late October, is seeking to raise approximately $5 billion. The fund is focused on acquisitions, value enhancements and dispositions of mispriced and u