Private Equity:A Blackstone View

Europe has been slow,in the estimation of Stephen Schwarzman,CEO of The Blackstone Group,L.P.,but we're starting to see Europeans now liquidating things in a way that wasn't previously the case.What we're seeing is sort of spotty growth in Europe.Overall this year,growth should be about 1.5%.
Europe for us used to be very high-priced.We look at Europe in a position of healing now.The consensus of finance ministers is slow growth,strengthening of the rescue fund,and life will go on.
China prices have gotten very high.There's no shortage of money in China,and there's a lot of optimism.In India,there isn't so much money around.They are actively looking for money,so there are a lot of opportunities we like,such as coal-fired electric plants,Mr.Schwarzman indicated.
What we're seeing in every area of our business is,there's always an unusual opportunity where it isn't very difficult to make a decent return,the financier said last weekend at the World Economic Forum in Davos,Switzerland.Blackstone is gonna be a whole lot more active this year.
The Blackstone Group,L.P.(BX)

Debriefing From Davos,Part 2:Jean-Claude Trichet

Participating in a dialogue at the end of the recent World Economic Forum in Davos,Switzerland,Jean-Claude Trichet,the outspoken president of the European Central Bank,said that at the outset of the financial crisis we had a financial sector that was extraordinarily fragile,but we also had imbalances that were accumulating.He fully agrees with U.S. officials that a strong dollar is in the interest of the U.S.,and also in the interest of Europe.In the very long run,he could imagine other solutions.
The future is not written,Mr.Trichet remarked.It depends on whether the Doha round on world trade is a success or not.We have an immense stake in whether Doha is a success.We need to have the most lucid public opinion that there is a superior interest in that,the European central banker feels.
Wearing a charcoal suit,green shirt and blue tie,the elder statesman of European finance noted that he is not being complacent in any respect.We have to work tirelessly for a system that is more resilient,to be sure;that our people's opinion is lucid and enlightened,Mr.Trichet spoke rapidly and candidly at the Davos forum.

Debriefing From Davos

Attending the recent World Economic Forum in Davos,Switzerland,Duncan Niederauer,CEO of NYSE/Euronext,shared some of what he learned there.He said he was taking away from Davos that companies' futures are improving.The worst is definitely behind us,but people are still saying are we doing the right things collectively and collaboratively.In the meetings I've been in,Mr.Niederauer recalled,I said it's key to get the financial leaders and the regulators together.Then you can put the foundations together for a healthy economic recovery.Separating banks' proprietary trading from customer activities is virtually impossible,in my opinion.
Mr.Niederauer,who wears an "autism speaks" lapel pin,sees robust initial public offerings at NYSE over the next six months.