Podcast: On just one day in November, $52 billion worth of private equity deals were announced, and more than $200 billion worth of deals have been agreed to so far in 2006. The deals include such major names as Qantas ($8.7 billion), Hertz ($15 billion), and Clear Channel ($ 18.7 billion). Are public markets being eclipsed? Are investors and employees being victimized? Professor Josh Lerner looks at historical trends and current deals to put it all in perspective. Key concepts include:

• An influx of money on the equity side from pension funds and overseas investors is helping create an explosion of LBOs.
• Hedge funds have joined banks as major providers of debt, creating a market with more favorable terms for investors.
• Although there have been deals that have gone sour, the private equity boom can be seen as mostly beneficial for both investors and the companies involved.