With IPO filing activity rebounding to levels not seen since before the economic downturn, the IPO pipeline now stands at 161 companies seeking to raise over $56 billion in total proceeds. Private Equity firms control 39 of these pipeline companies, which together represent 30% of proposed proceeds and feature big names such as HCA ($4.6 billion), Nielsen ($2 billion), Toys "R" Us ($800 million), AMC Entertainment ($450 million) and Booz Allen Hamilton ($300 million). Including GM in this group, on the basis that the Treasury-owned automaker has several characteristics of a PE portfolio company, brings the potential PE proceeds to roughly $30 billion. As buyout firms prepare to unload this large backlog of investments over the next few months, investors are looking for guidance regarding the valuation and performance of PEbacked IPOs, as well as the track records of high-profile sponsors. This study provides some surprising answers. more