Competition may lead to higher prices being paid for healthcare assets this year, according to global management consulting firm Bain & Company's 2019 healthcare private equity report.
Five trends:
1. To mitigate risks, private equity funds may partner with corporate or other financial sponsors when writing larger checks for healthcare assets.
2. Bain & Co. expects competition to keep private equity valuation multiples at current levels.
3. Private equity firms may buy more public companies with healthcare assets if those public companies are looking for financial partners to increase performance.
4. Market share may matter more this year, with private equity firms investing in both small and large healthcare assets, as Bain & Co. predicts middle-market assets may be harder to acquire.
5. Private equity firms may take on more risk through investing in healthcare in provider and payer sectors.