12 Most Important Private Equity KPIs


The top KPIs in the Private Equity industry are crucial for measuring investment performance, portfolio growth, and financial returns. Investment-related metrics, such as internal rate of return (IRR), multiple on invested capital (MOIC), and exit success rates, provide insights into the effectiveness and profitability of private equity investments.

Portfolio-related KPIs, including portfolio company growth, value creation initiatives, and operational improvements, help gauge the success and impact of private equity strategies.

This article showcases the Most Critical 12 KPIs for Private Equity and Associated Benchmarks.

1. Internal Rate of Return (IRR)

Internal Rate of Return (IRR) serves as a critical financial ratio that evaluates the profitability of potential investments.

It directly influences capital allocation decisions, project viability assessments, and overall financial health. A higher IRR indicates a more attractive investment opportunity, guiding executives in data-driven decision-making.

By comparing IRR against target thresholds, organizations can prioritize projects that align with strategic objectives. Learn more about the Internal Rate of Return (IRR) KPI.

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We have 5 benchmarks for this KPI available in our database.

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What is the standard formula?
No standard formula, calculation involves solving for IRR in the cash flow equation.


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2. Exit Rate

Exit Rate is a critical performance indicator that reflects the percentage of visitors who leave a website after viewing only one page.

High exit rates can indicate issues with user experience, content relevance, or navigation challenges, ultimately impacting conversion rates and customer engagement. Conversely, low exit rates often signal effective content and user pathways that encourage deeper exploration.

This metric influences business outcomes such as lead generation, customer retention, and overall digital strategy effectiveness. Learn more about the Exit Rate KPI.

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We have 2 benchmarks for this KPI available in our database.

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What is the standard formula?
(Number of Exits / Total Number of Portfolio Companies) * 100


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3. Deal Closure Rate

Deal Closure Rate is a critical KPI that reflects the efficiency of a sales team in converting leads into actual sales.

A high closure rate indicates effective sales strategies and strong customer relationships, which can lead to increased revenue and market share. Conversely, a low rate may signal inefficiencies in the sales process or misalignment with customer needs.

This metric directly influences cash flow and operational efficiency, making it essential for financial health. Learn more about the Deal Closure Rate KPI.

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What is the standard formula?
(Number of Deals Closed / Number of Deals Initiated) * 100


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4. Revenue Growth Rate

Revenue Growth Rate is a critical performance indicator that reflects a company's ability to expand its top line over time.

It directly influences financial health, operational efficiency, and strategic alignment, making it essential for management reporting. A consistent upward trend indicates robust demand and effective cost control metrics.

Conversely, stagnation or decline may signal underlying issues that require immediate attention. Learn more about the Revenue Growth Rate KPI.

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We have 7 benchmarks for this KPI available in our database.

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5. Debt to Equity Ratio

The Debt to Equity Ratio (D/E) is a crucial financial ratio that measures a company's financial leverage by comparing its total liabilities to shareholders' equity.

This KPI matters because it directly influences financial health, operational efficiency, and risk management. A higher ratio indicates greater reliance on debt financing, which can amplify returns but also increases risk.

Conversely, a lower ratio suggests a more conservative approach, potentially leading to lower returns but greater stability. Learn more about the Debt to Equity Ratio KPI.

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We have 3 benchmarks for this KPI available in our database.

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6. Liquidity Ratio

Liquidity Ratio is a crucial measure of a company's financial health, indicating its ability to meet short-term obligations.

A higher ratio suggests robust operational efficiency and effective cost control, while a lower ratio may signal potential liquidity issues. This KPI influences business outcomes like creditworthiness, investment decisions, and cash flow management.

Organizations with strong liquidity ratios can navigate market fluctuations more effectively, ensuring strategic alignment with growth initiatives. Learn more about the Liquidity Ratio KPI.

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We have 6 benchmarks for this KPI available in our database.

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What is the standard formula?
Current Assets / Current Liabilities


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7. Synergy Realization Rate

Synergy Realization Rate measures the effectiveness of collaboration across departments, impacting overall operational efficiency and financial health.

High synergy can lead to improved ROI metrics and enhanced business outcomes, such as increased revenue and reduced costs. Organizations that prioritize this KPI often see better strategic alignment, as it fosters a data-driven decision-making culture.

Tracking this metric enables leaders to identify areas for improvement and optimize resource allocation. Learn more about the Synergy Realization Rate KPI.

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We have 3 benchmarks for this KPI available in our database.

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What is the standard formula?
(Realized Synergies / Projected Synergies) * 100


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8. Portfolio Yield

Portfolio Yield serves as a critical performance indicator for assessing the effectiveness of investment strategies.

It directly influences financial health, operational efficiency, and overall ROI metrics. By measuring the income generated relative to the capital invested, organizations can track results and make data-driven decisions.

High Portfolio Yield signifies strong asset performance, while low values may indicate inefficiencies or poor investment choices. Learn more about the Portfolio Yield KPI.

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What is the standard formula?
Total Annual Income from Investments / Total Portfolio Value * 100


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9. Leverage Ratio

Leverage Ratio is a critical financial ratio that assesses a company's debt levels relative to its equity, influencing financial health and operational efficiency.

High leverage can indicate aggressive growth strategies but may also signal increased risk, particularly during economic downturns. Conversely, low leverage suggests a conservative approach, potentially limiting growth opportunities.

Companies that effectively manage their leverage ratio can improve their ROI metric and maintain strategic alignment with long-term goals. Learn more about the Leverage Ratio KPI.

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We have 4 benchmarks for this KPI available in our database.

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What is the standard formula?
(Total Debt / Total Equity) or (Total Debt / Total Assets)


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10. Innovation Adoption Rate

Innovation Adoption Rate measures how quickly new ideas and technologies are embraced within an organization.

This KPI directly influences operational efficiency and strategic alignment, as faster adoption can lead to improved financial health and enhanced business outcomes. Tracking this metric enables leaders to identify lagging indicators and adjust strategies accordingly.

Organizations with high adoption rates often see increased ROI and better forecasting accuracy. Learn more about the Innovation Adoption Rate KPI.

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We have 3 benchmarks for this KPI available in our database.

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11. Deal Origination Rate

Deal Origination Rate is crucial for assessing the effectiveness of sales strategies and the overall health of the pipeline.

A higher rate indicates successful lead generation and conversion, directly impacting revenue growth and market share. Conversely, a low rate may signal inefficiencies in the sales process or misalignment with market demand.

This KPI serves as a leading indicator, allowing organizations to forecast future sales and adjust strategies accordingly. Learn more about the Deal Origination Rate KPI.

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We have 2 benchmarks for this KPI available in our database.

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What is the standard formula?
Total Number of New Investment Opportunities / Total Time Period


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12. Capital Expenditure (CapEx) Efficiency

Capital Expenditure (CapEx) Efficiency is crucial for assessing how effectively a company allocates its financial resources towards long-term investments.

This KPI directly influences financial health, operational efficiency, and strategic alignment with growth initiatives. High CapEx efficiency indicates that investments are yielding favorable business outcomes, while low efficiency may signal wasteful spending or misaligned priorities.

Executives must prioritize this metric to ensure optimal resource allocation and enhance ROI. Learn more about the Capital Expenditure (CapEx) Efficiency KPI.

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We have 5 benchmarks for this KPI available in our database.

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These 12 Private Equity KPIs were selected to provide a comprehensive view of portfolio performance, spanning financial returns, operational execution, and risk management. The set balances lagging indicators like Internal Rate of Return (IRR) and Exit Rate with leading metrics such as Deal Origination Rate and Innovation Adoption Rate, covering the full investment lifecycle from deal sourcing to value realization.

Track Internal Rate of Return alongside Exit Rate to evaluate whether realized exits align with expected returns; divergence signals potential valuation or timing issues. Monitor Deal Closure Rate in conjunction with Deal Origination Rate—low closure despite high origination points to deal quality or negotiation inefficiencies. Compare Debt to Equity Ratio with Liquidity Ratio to assess financial leverage risks; increasing leverage without corresponding liquidity growth warns of solvency stress.

Prioritize implementing Internal Rate of Return, Exit Rate, and Deal Closure Rate first, as these KPIs are foundational, widely tracked, and typically supported by existing portfolio data. These metrics provide immediate insight into investment performance and deal execution efficiency. Expand to operational KPIs like Synergy Realization Rate and Innovation Adoption Rate as data maturity improves. The full Private Equity KPI set, with detailed formulas and benchmarks, is available in the KPI Depot database.

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Related Best Practices


These best practice documents below are available for individual purchase from Flevy , the largest knowledge base of business frameworks, templates, and financial models available online.


KPI Depot (formerly the Flevy KPI Library) is a comprehensive, fully searchable database of over 20,000+ KPIs and 30,000+ benchmarks. Each KPI is documented with 12 practical attributes that take you from definition to real-world application (definition, business insights, measurement approach, formula, trend analysis, diagnostics, tips, visualization ideas, risk warnings, tools & tech, integration points, and change impact).

KPI categories span every major corporate function and more than 150+ industries, giving executives, analysts, and consultants an instant, plug-and-play reference for building scorecards, dashboards, and data-driven strategies.

Our team is constantly expanding our KPI database and benchmarks database.

Got a question? Email us at support@kpidepot.com.



Each KPI in our knowledge base includes 12 attributes.

KPI Definition

A clear explanation of what the KPI measures

Potential Business Insights

The typical business insights we expect to gain through the tracking of this KPI

Measurement Approach

An outline of the approach or process followed to measure this KPI

Standard Formula

The standard formula organizations use to calculate this KPI

Trend Analysis

Insights into how the KPI tends to evolve over time and what trends could indicate positive or negative performance shifts

Diagnostic Questions

Questions to ask to better understand your current position is for the KPI and how it can improve

Actionable Tips

Practical, actionable tips for improving the KPI, which might involve operational changes, strategic shifts, or tactical actions

Visualization Suggestions

Recommended charts or graphs that best represent the trends and patterns around the KPI for more effective reporting and decision-making

Risk Warnings

Potential risks or warnings signs that could indicate underlying issues that require immediate attention

Tools & Technologies

Suggested tools, technologies, and software that can help in tracking and analyzing the KPI more effectively

Integration Points

How the KPI can be integrated with other business systems and processes for holistic strategic performance management

Change Impact

Explanation of how changes in the KPI can impact other KPIs and what kind of changes can be expected


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