Canada's small private equity sector stays healthy

February 12 - Reuters - Deal-making in Canada's small private equity industry remained healthy in the fourth quarter, data showed on Tuesday, even as the once high-flying sector largely ground to a halt south of the border as financing dried up.

Buyouts of Canadian companies worth $2.3 billion were reported in the three months ended Dec. 31, up 64 percent from the same quarter in 2006, Canada's Venture Capital and Private Equity Association said in a statement.

"Following the credit crunch in midsummer and the retreat within the very large mega-deal segment, many industry observers had expressed concern," said Rick Nathan, president of the CVCA and managing director of private equity firm Kensington Capital Partners. Read More.