A total of 42 new investment funds were launched during fourth quarter 2014, almost reaching the bar that was set in first quarter 2014 with a launch of 48. As a group, they are seeking to raise approximately $20.6 billion. The fundraising target is slightly down from the third quarter’s figure of $23.4 billion targeted by 31 funds, but up from the second quarter total of $13 billion (34 funds).

For the third consecutive quarter, the Americas has taken the new funds geographic focus spotlight, accounting for approximately $9.3 billion of the total fundraising goal. The total is down from the previous quarter’s $13 billion total fundraising goal. Additionally, the Americas accounts for 45.2 percent of the fourth quarter’s targeted fundraising, down from 56.1 percent in the third quarter. The largest Americas-focused offering was Lone Star Funds’ Lone Star Residential Mortgage Fund I. Not only was Lone Star Residential Mortgage Fund I launched in fou