The private equity (PE) market is bouncing back, with deal activity picking up thanks to clearer economic indicators and better financing options. Despite this dealmaking boost, exits are slower, posing challenges for investors and firms. The tech sector stands out, attracting significant PE interest due to favorable financing conditions, signaling a trend of increased tech-focused deals ahead.  Visit https://www.ey.com/pepulse to view this quarter’s summary.    Key takeaways: PE deals experience a significant surge in 2024, especially in the second and third quarters, buoyed by growing market confidence, clearer economic indicators and improved financing conditions. The technology sector, fueled by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing, leads growth, with a notable increase in demand for high-quality assets indicating a market primed for capital investment. Exit strategies encounter headwinds, with a downturn in value and sluggish IPO activity, prompting a shift in investor focus toward cash flow, while PE firms continue to pursue disciplined, strategic acquisitions and business expansion.