Blackstone Private Equity Fund Closes on $21.7 Billion



    The Blackstone Group (NYSE: BX) today announced the final closing
    of its latest global private equity fund, Blackstone Capital Partners
    V (BCP V).

    Together with previously announced commitments this closing brings
    total commitments to $21.7 billion. BCP V, like its predecessor funds,
    will be invested across a broad range of sectors and geographical
    locations.

    Investments with a total enterprise value of approximately $84
    billion, have already been committed to BCP V, and include Nielsen
    Company, Michaels Stores, Alliance Data Systems, Biomet, Freescale
    Semiconductor, Hilton Hotels, and Center Parcs. The combined equity
    participation in all transactions committed to date already accounts
    for two-thirds of the fund's available capital.

    Since The Blackstone Group started its private equity investment
    business in 1987, the firm has raised a total of approximately $67
    billion for alternative asset investing, making it one of the world's
    largest independent alternative asset managers. Blackstone also
    manages approximately $23 billion in discretionary marketable
    alternative asset programs, approximately $4 billion in proprietary
    hedge funds, and over $2 billion in mutual funds.

    Blackstone's private equity business currently has investments in
    49 portfolio companies with combined annual revenues in excess of $90
    billion employing over 500,000 people around the globe.

    Stephen A. Schwarzman, Chairman, CEO and Co-Founder of The
    Blackstone Group, said, "This further vote of confidence from our
    investors is extremely gratifying. The record-breaking amount of
    capital at our disposal allows us to continue our leadership role in
    private equity investing on a global basis."

    The Blackstone Group was assisted in its fund-raising by Park Hill
    Group, a Blackstone affiliate.

    About The Blackstone Group

    The Blackstone Group is a leading global alternative asset manager
    and provider of financial advisory services. Its alternative asset
    management businesses include the management of corporate private
    equity funds, real estate opportunity funds, funds of hedge funds,
    mezzanine funds, senior debt vehicles, proprietary hedge funds and
    closed-end mutual funds. The Blackstone Group also provides various
    financial advisory services, including corporate and mergers and
    acquisitions advisory, restructuring and reorganization advisory and
    fund placement services. Further information is available at
    www.blackstone.com.

    This release does not constitute an offer of any Blackstone fund.