$8 billion, do I hear 10? Do I hear $100 billion?

Bloomberg reports that Morgan Stanley has raised $8 billion for a new fund. Private Equity Real Estate (sub. req'd -- also mentioned in the Bloomberg article) reports that Blackstone is well on its way to $10 billion. The PERE story also reports the funds are targeting $100 billion in capital. And Bloomberg reports, citing Private Equity Intelligence Ltd., that 100+ funds are looking for $69 billion, up $5 billion from last year.

Okay, I will admit it: these numbers absolutely boggle my mind.

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