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Middle East unrest could hit fundraising

Political upheaval in the region may make it harder for buyout firms to raise fund capital

It used to be a simple equation: tension in the Middle East drives up crude oil prices, topping up bank accounts at sovereign wealth funds and wealthy merchants and providing private equity firms with a fresh pool of capital to target.

But the current instability across the region could affect how firms raise funds there this year as some nations spend more money at home to placate restive citizens while wealthy individuals seek out investment opportunities elsewhere.