Private equity firms, until recently the high flyers of finance, have had a tough summer.
Not only are they suddenly struggling to finance leveraged buyouts the market once welcomed but also the companies they've taken public have lately been bombing with investors.
Online travel company Orbitz Worldwide and recruitment company Dice Holdings are two of the summer's biggest duds, both down about 20 percent since being brought to market by private equity firms.
Of all the companies floating shares this year, three of the five worst performers were backed by private equity firms, according to Dealogic. Of the best performing companies, just one was backed by private equity....MORE from Red Herring
