Betting the farm: Private equity buyouts in US agriculture
To download a PDF version of this report, click here. Key Takeaways Agriculture plays an important role in the US economy as both an employer, economic generator, and key part of…
Explore the issues
Find more information on the issues deeply affected by private equity investments:
New report reveals growing threat of private equity in US food production
A new report from PESP highlights the growing trend of private equity buyouts of farm operations across the United States. Betting the farm: Private equity buyouts in US agriculture, analyzes how the private…
As interpreters take their case to the FCC, Ariel-owned Sorenson commits to fight unionization
Late last month, interpreters who work for Ariel-owned Sorenson Communications and Teleperformance-owned ZP Better Together gathered with Texas Congressman Greg Casar for a press conference in front of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)’s Washington, DC office.
Joann store closures among many Leonard Green and Partners bankruptcies
Joann, the fabric and craft store, was one of the many private equity-backed companies to file for bankruptcy in 2024.[1] In February, the company announced it would close all stores and lay off 19,000 employees.
Private equity stands to profit from continued privatization of education as Trump administration pushes to close Department of Education
A new report from the Private Equity Stakeholder Project (PESP) examines how private equity is betting big on investments in education and childcare as federal investment in public education continues to decline. “Making the grade?…
Making the grade? Private equity, privatization and the future of American education
To download a PDF version of this report, click here. Childcare and K-12 education are critical to the success of a society, but the United States struggles to provide…
Sycamore Partners to finance Walgreens buyout with 83% debt
Sycamore Partners proposing to finance $22 billion Walgreens buyout with 83% debt More than double the average debt level (41%) used by private equity firms to acquire companies last year Based on the financing commitments Walgreens disclosed in a…
The risks of a private equity takeover of Walgreens
Walgreens buyer Sycamore Partners has a history of bankruptcies and workplace violations Yesterday, news broke of the acquisition of national pharmacy company Walgreens by private equity firm Sycamore Partners. The nonprofit watchdog Private Equity Stakeholder Project (PESP) released the following…
PESP in the News – media coverage February 2025
PESP’s work and research into the private equity industry generates significant media coverage in numerous outlets. Scroll down to see where our expertise was featured in February 2025. Featured coverage Private equity in child care:…
Warren statement on DOD nominee Stephen Feinberg of Cerberus Capital
Senator Elizabeth Warren questioned Stephen Feinberg, CEO of private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management and nominee for Deputy Secretary of Defense, about his role in the financial decline of Steward Health Care during…
How private equity exploits the tax code to loot workers, consumers, and communities
New report exposes the tax loopholes fueling private equity’s predatory business model Washington, D.C.—Today, a comprehensive, joint report published by Americans for Tax Fairness, the Private Equity Stakeholder Project, and Americans for Financial Reform Education Fund exposes the…
Private Equity, Public Damage
How ‘Vulture Investors’ Get Rich Wrecking Companies, Killing Jobs, Endangering the Vulnerable & Spoiling the Environment–And Our Tax Code Helps Them Do It Private equity (PE) firms use money raised from wealthy individuals and institutional investors…
