Why do private equity firms typically maintain an investment for about 5 to 7 years?

Private equity firms typically maintain an investment for about 5 to 7 years primarily to ensure they can report meaningful returns to their limited partners (LPs). This timeframe allows the firms to implement operational improvements, strategic changes, and growth initiatives within their portfolio companies. During this period, private equity firms actively work on enhancing the value of the company in preparation for a successful exit, such as a sale or public offering.

The 5 to 7-year duration aligns with the typical life cycle of private equity investments, where they seek to achieve significant value creation before exiting. Reporting returns regularly is essential for maintaining trust and accountability with their investors, who expect transparent updates on how the investments are performing. This structured timeline also fits well with the overall investment strategy of private equity, which aims to generate substantial returns within a defined period, making C the most suitable explanation.