Canadian asset management giant Brookfield has emerged as the world's most acquisitive investment firm this year, as the titans of private equity increasingly stay on the sidelines.
Brookfield has announced more than $50 billion of purchases since the beginning of January, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. That's roughly triple the deal tallies of buyout firms like Apollo Global Management Inc., EQT AB and Silver Lake Management. KKR & Co. has unveiled just one major public-company takeover bid this year.

Brookfield's ascendance comes as some private equity firms struggle to complete buyouts amid shaky financing markets and rich price demands from sellers. The same headwinds are leading many of the biggest alternative asset managers to spend more time raising new direct-lending funds as the world of private credit booms.
Liquidity is scarce, and that's creating a more disciplined environment, according to Anuj Ranjan, president of Brookfield Asset Management's private equity business.

bloomberg.com - Brookfield trumps buyout titans with billion deal spree