Economies in Europe and North America are struggling to avoid another recession. Financial markets are shaky. Uncertainties overhang businesses as policy makers in both regions wrestle with nettlesome issues like government debt and regulatory models. In a troubled economic environment, it would be easy to assume the private equity industry is on the ropes. In fact, the industry continues its post-recession recovery, and private equity portfolios have outperformed public markets, a development largely attributed to the ability to create value during tough economic cycles as well as good ones.