Private equity deals witnessed a 24% surge in value and volume terms this year, with 347 transactions valued at $7.7 billion announced during the period, a 24% jump vis-a-vis the corresponding period last year.

According to consultancy firm Grant Thoton, PE deals worth $7.7 billion were announced this year through 347 transactions compared to $6.2 billion by way of 253 deals in 2010.

he Grant Thoton's Dealtracker report has taken into consideration deals up to December 9, 2011.

The deal activity in the private equity space has been increasing over the last three years as from $3.4 billion in 2009 it increased to $6.2 billion in 2010 and then strengthened further to $7.7 billion this year.

On the findings, Grant Thoton India Partner & Practice Leader Valuations Srividya CG said: "Pure play PE has increased in both value and volumes over 2010. PE investments continued to see increasing level of activity led by Real Estate and Infrastructure sectors."

A sector wise analysis showed that real estate and infrastructure management witnessed the maximum deals worth $1,656 million followed by automotive ($1,006 million), power and energy was in the third position ($21 billion), ahead of banking and financial services with ($816 billion) and IT and ITeS ($783 billion).

The top five sectors contributed to 67% of PE deal values for the year, Grant Thoton said.

Among the top 10 PE investments in first half of 2011 are Govement of Singapore and Bain Capital pumping in $850 million into Hero Investment Pvt Ltd.

Other major transactions include Apollo Global Management investing $350 million in Welspun Corp and Texas Pacific Group infusing $257 million in Shriram Capital.