Goldman’s Feldgoise Says M&A Comeback Hinges on Private Equity

A comeback in private equity activity is the key to ending an 18-month slump in dealmaking — and there are signs that’s starting to happen, according to one of Goldman Sachs Group Inc.’s top M&A bankers.

“The number of take-privates has actually been at record levels,” Stephan Feldgoise, global co-head of mergers and acquisitions, said in an interview on Bloomberg TV on Thursday. “It’s been very active in terms of LBOs.”

Private equity firms — which are in the business of buying and selling companies — have driven about 35% to 38% of overall M&A activity in the ...