Arctos: This year will see a record number of private equity companies becoming "zombie funds".

Ian Charles, co-founder and managing partner of Arctos Partners, said this year will see a record number of private equity firms becoming so-called zombie funds because they struggle to attract new investor capital. "The financing environment is very challenging," Charles said in an interview on Thursday, adding that the number of new private equity firms established this year will decrease. "Now, these firms find it difficult to sustain their growth trajectory."