As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 14, 2012.

Registration No. 333-176685      

 

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

 

Amendment No. 4

to

Form S-1

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

 

 

The Carlyle Group L.P.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

1001 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, D.C. 20004-2505

Telephone: (202) 729-5626

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of Registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

 

 

 

Jeffrey W. Ferguson

General Counsel

The Carlyle Group L.P.

1001 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, D.C. 20004-2505

Telephone: (202) 729-5626

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

Copies to:

 

 

 

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of the proposed sale of the securities to the public:  As soon as practicable after the Registration Statement is declared effective.

 

 

 

 

If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box.  o

 

If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box and list the Securities Act of 1933 registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  o

 

If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box and list the Securities Act of 1933 registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  o

 

If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box and list the Securities Act of 1933 registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

 

 

 

The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

[Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED MARCH 14, 2012

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS

     Common Units

Representing Limited Partner Interests

 

 

 

 

This is the initial public offering of common units representing limited partner interests in The Carlyle Group L.P. No public market currently exists for our common units. We are offering all of the           common units representing limited partner interests in this offering. We anticipate that the initial public offering price will be between $      and $      per common unit. We have applied to list the common units on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “CG.”

 

Investing in our common units involves risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 27. These risks include the following:

 

We are managed by our general partner, which is owned by our senior Carlyle professionals. Our common unitholders will have only limited voting rights and will have no right to remove our general partner or, except in limited circumstances, elect the directors of our general partner. Moreover, immediately following this offering, our senior Carlyle professionals generally will have sufficient voting power to determine the outcome of those few matters that may be submitted for a vote of our limited partners. In addition, our partnership agreement limits the liability of, and reduces or eliminates the duties (including fiduciary duties) owed by, our general partner to our common unitholders and restricts the remedies available to our common unitholders for actions that might otherwise constitute breaches of our general partner’s duties. As a limited partnership, we will qualify for and intend to rely on exceptions from certain corporate governance and other requirements under the rules of the NASDAQ Global Select Market. For example, we will not be required to comply with the requirements that a majority of the board of directors of our general partner consist of independent directors and that we have independent director oversight of executive officer compensation and director nominations.

 

Our business is subject to many risks, including those associated with:

 

 

 

As discussed in “Material U.S. Federal Tax Considerations,” The Carlyle Group L.P. will be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and our common unitholders therefore will be required to take into account their allocable share of items of income, gain, loss and deduction of The Carlyle Group L.P. in computing their U.S. federal income tax liability. Although we currently intend to make annual distributions in an amount sufficient to cover the anticipated U.S. federal, state and local income tax liabilities of holders of common units in respect of their allocable share of our net taxable income, it is possible that such tax liabilities will exceed the cash distributions that holders of common units receive from us. Although not enacted, the U.S. Congress has considered legislation that would have precluded us from qualifying as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes or required us to hold carried interest through taxable subsidiary corporations for taxable years after a ten-year transition period and would have taxed individual holders of common units with respect to certain income and gains at increased rates. Similar legislation could be enacted in the future.

 

 

To the extent that the underwriters sell more than           common units, the underwriters have the option to purchase up to an additional           common units from us at the initial public offering price less the underwriting discount.

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

The underwriters expect to deliver the common units to purchasers on or about          , 2012.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

, 2012

 

Global Presence

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2011.

 

Assets Under Management (dollars in billions, 2003 — 2011)

 

 

 

 

Table of Contents

 

 

 

You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus or in any free writing prospectus we may authorize to be delivered to you. Neither we nor the underwriters have authorized anyone to provide you with additional or different information. We and the underwriters are offering to sell, and seeking offers to buy, our common units only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. The information in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any sale of our common units.

 

Through and including          , 2012 (25 days after the date of this prospectus), all dealers that effect transactions in our common units, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This delivery requirement is in addition to the obligation of dealers to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.

 

Our business is currently owned by four holding entities: TC Group, L.L.C., TC Group Cayman, L.P., TC Group Investment Holdings, L.P. and TC Group Cayman Investment Holdings, L.P. We refer to these four holding entities collectively as the “Parent Entities.” The Parent Entities are under the common ownership and control of our senior Carlyle professionals and two strategic investors that own minority interests in our business — entities affiliated with Mubadala Development Company, an Abu-Dhabi based strategic development and investment company (“Mubadala”), and California Public Employees’ Retirement System (“CalPERS”). Unless the context suggests otherwise, references in this prospectus to “Carlyle,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer (1) prior to the consummation of our reorganization into a holding partnership structure as described under “Organizational Structure,” to Carlyle Group, which is comprised of the Parent Entities and their consolidated subsidiaries and (2) after our reorganization into a holding partnership structure, to The Carlyle Group L.P. and its consolidated subsidiaries. In addition, certain individuals engaged in our businesses own interests in the general partners of our existing carry funds. Certain of these individuals will contribute a portion of these interests to us as part of the reorganization. We refer to these individuals, together with the owners of the Parent Entities prior to this offering, collectively as our “existing owners.” Completion of our reorganization will occur prior to this offering. See “Organizational Structure.”

 

When we refer to the “partners of The Carlyle Group L.P.,” we are referring specifically to the common unitholders and our general partner and any others who may from time to time be partners of that specific Delaware limited partnership. When we refer to our “senior Carlyle professionals,” we are referring to the partners of our firm who are, together with CalPERS and Mubadala, the owners of our Parent Entities prior to the reorganization. References in this prospectus to the ownership of the senior Carlyle professionals include the ownership of personal planning vehicles of these individuals.

 

“Carlyle funds,” “our funds” and “our investment funds” refer to the investment funds and vehicles advised by Carlyle. Our “carry funds” refers to those investment funds that we advise, including the buyout funds, growth capital funds, real asset funds and distressed debt and mezzanine funds (but excluding our structured credit funds, hedge funds and fund of funds vehicles), where we receive a special residual allocation of income, which we refer to as a carried interest, in the event that specified investment returns are achieved by the fund. Our “fund of funds vehicles” refer to those funds, accounts and vehicles advised by AlpInvest Partners B.V., formerly known as AlpInvest Partners N.V. (“AlpInvest”).

 

“Fee-earning assets under management” or “Fee-earning AUM” refers to the assets we manage from which we derive recurring fund management fees. Our fee-earning AUM generally equals the sum of:

 

(a) for carry funds and certain co-investment vehicles where the investment period has not expired, the amount of limited partner capital commitments and for fund of funds vehicles, the amount of external investor capital commitments during the commitment period;

 

(b) for substantially all carry funds and certain co-investment vehicles where the investment period has expired, the remaining amount of limited partner invested capital;

 

(c) the gross amount of aggregate collateral balance at par, adjusted for defaulted or discounted collateral, of our collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs“) and the reference portfolio notional amount of our synthetic collateralized loan obligations (“synthetic CLOs“);

 

(d) the external investor portion of the net asset value (pre-redemptions and subscriptions) of our long/short credit, emerging markets, multi-product macroeconomic and other hedge funds and certain structured credit funds; and

 

(e) for fund of funds vehicles and certain carry funds where the investment period has expired, the lower of cost or fair value of invested capital.

“Assets under management” or “AUM” refers to the assets we manage. Our AUM equals the sum of the following:

 

(a) the fair value of the capital invested in our carry funds, co-investment vehicles and fund of funds vehicles plus the capital that we are entitled to call from investors in those funds and vehicles (including our commitments to those funds and vehicles and those of senior Carlyle professionals and employees) pursuant to the terms of their capital commitments to those funds and vehicles;

 

(b) the amount of aggregate collateral balance at par of our CLOs and the reference portfolio notional amount of our synthetic CLOs; and

 

(c) the net asset value (pre-redemptions and subscriptions) of our long/short credit, emerging markets, multi-product macroeconomic and other hedge funds and certain structured credit funds.

 

We include in our calculation of AUM and fee-earning AUM certain energy and renewable resources funds that we jointly advise with Riverstone Investment Group L.L.C. (“Riverstone”).

 

Our calculations of AUM and fee-earning AUM may differ from the calculations of other alternative asset managers. As a result, these measures may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other alternative asset managers. In addition, our calculation of AUM (but not fee-earning AUM) includes uncalled commitments to, and the fair value of invested capital in, our investment funds from Carlyle and our personnel, regardless of whether such commitments or invested capital are subject to fees. Our definitions of AUM or fee-earning AUM are not based on any definition of AUM or fee-earning AUM that is set forth in the agreements governing the investment funds that we advise. See “Business — Structure and Operation of Our Investment Funds — Incentive Arrangements/Fee Structure.”

 

For our carry funds, co-investment vehicles and fund of funds vehicles, total AUM includes the fair value of the capital invested, whereas fee-earning AUM includes the amount of capital commitments or the remaining amount of invested capital at cost, depending on whether the investment period for the fund has expired. As such, fee-earning AUM may be greater than total AUM when the aggregate fair value of the remaining investments is less than the cost of those investments.

 

 

Unless indicated otherwise, non-financial operational and statistical data in this prospectus is as of December 31, 2011. Compound annual growth in AUM is presented since December 31, 2003, the first period for which comparable information is available. The data presented herein that provides “inception to date” performance results of our segments relates to the period following the formation of the first fund within each segment. For our Corporate Private Equity segment, our first fund was formed in 1990. For our Real Assets segment, our first fund was formed in 1997.

 

Until an investment fund (i) has distributed substantially all expected investment proceeds to its fund investors, (ii) is not expected to generate further investment proceeds (e.g., earn-outs), (iii) is no longer paying management fees or accruing performance fees, and (iv) in the case of our structured credit funds, has made a final redemption distribution, we consider such investment fund to be “active.” The fund performance data presented herein includes the performance of all of our carry funds, including those that are no longer active. All other fund data presented in this prospectus, and all other references to our investment funds, are to our “active” investment funds.

 

References herein to “active investments” are to investments that have not yet been fully realized, meaning that the investment fund continues to own an interest in, and has not yet completely exited, the investment.

 

In addition, for purposes of the non-financial operating and statistical data included in this prospectus, including the aggregation of our non-U.S. dollar denominated investment funds, foreign currencies have been converted to U.S. dollars at the spot rate as of the last trading day of the reporting period when presenting period end balances, and the average rate for the period has been utilized when presenting activity during such period. With respect to capital commitments raised in foreign currencies, the conversion to U.S. dollars is based on the exchange rate as of the date of closing of such capital commitment.

 

Unless indicated otherwise, the information included in this prospectus assumes:

 

 

 

[Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

 

SUMMARY

The Carlyle Group

	•	Excellence in Investing. Our primary goal is to invest wisely and create value for our fund investors. We strive to generate superior investment returns by combining deep industry expertise, a global network of local investment teams who can leverage extensive firm-wide resources and a consistent and disciplined investment process.
	•	Commitment to our Fund Investors. Our fund investors come first. This commitment is a core component of our firm culture and informs every aspect of our business. We believe this philosophy is in the long-term best interests of Carlyle and its owners, including our prospective common unitholders.
	•	Investment in the Firm. We have invested, and intend to continue to invest, significant resources in hiring and retaining a deep talent pool of investment professionals and in building the infrastructure of the firm, including our expansive local office network and our

		comprehensive investor support team, which provides finance, legal and compliance and tax services in addition to other corporate services.

	•	Expansion of our Platform.  We innovate continuously to expand our investment capabilities through the creation or acquisition of new asset-, sector- and regionally-focused strategies in order to provide our fund investors a variety of investment options.
	•	Unified Culture.  We seek to leverage the local market insights and operational capabilities that we have developed across our global platform through a unified culture we call “One Carlyle.” Our culture emphasizes collaboration and sharing of knowledge and expertise across the firm to create value.

 

Our Business

		For the Year Ended December 31, 2011
		Corporate
		Private								Global Market				Fund of Funds
		Equity				Real Assets				Strategies				Solutions(5)				Total
		(In millions)
Total Revenues (GAAP)																		$	2,845.3
Income before provision for income taxes (GAAP)																		$	1,182.8
Cash distributions (GAAP)(1)																		$	1,498.4
Segment Revenues(2)		$	1,483.6			$	314.7			$	324.9			$	26.1			$	2,149.3
Economic Net Income(2)(3)		$	514.1			$	143.9			$	161.5			$	13.6			$	833.1
Distributable Earnings(2)(4)		$	566.0			$	84.8			$	193.4			$	20.2			$	864.4

		For the Year Ended December 31, 2010
		Corporate
		Private								Global Market				Fund of Funds
		Equity				Real Assets				Strategies				Solutions				Total
		(In millions)
Total Revenues (GAAP)																		$	2,798.9
Income before provision for income taxes (GAAP)																		$	1,479.7
Cash distributions (GAAP)(1)																		$	787.8
Segment Revenues(2)		$	1,897.2			$	235.0			$	253.6				n/a			$	2,385.8
Economic Net Income(2)(3)		$	819.3			$	90.7			$	104.0				n/a			$	1,014.0
Distributable Earnings(2)(4)		$	307.2			$	12.7			$	22.6				n/a			$	342.5

(1)		Cash distributions, net of compensatory payments, distributions related to co-investments and distributions related to the Mubadala investment in 2010 were $681.9 million and $105.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. See “Cash Distribution Policy.”

(2)		Under GAAP, we are required to consolidate certain of the investment funds that we advise. However, for segment reporting purposes, we present revenues and expenses on a basis that deconsolidates these funds.

(3)		ENI, a non-GAAP measure, represents segment net income excluding the impact of income taxes, acquisition-related items including amortization of acquired intangibles and earn-outs, charges associated with equity-based compensation issued in this offering or future acquisitions, corporate actions and infrequently occurring or unusual events (e.g., acquisition related costs, gains and losses on fair value adjustments on contingent consideration, gains and losses from the retirement of our debt, charges associated with lease terminations and employee severance and settlements of legal claims). For a further discussion about ENI and a reconciliation to Income Before Provision for Income Taxes, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Key Financial Measures — Non-GAAP Financial Measures — Economic Net Income” and “ — Non-GAAP Financial Measures,” and Note 14 to our combined and consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this prospectus.

(4)		Distributable Earnings, a non-GAAP measure, is a component of ENI representing total ENI less unrealized performance fees and unrealized investment income plus unrealized performance fee compensation expense. For a further discussion about Distributable Earnings and a reconciliation to Income Before Provision for Income Taxes, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Key Financial Measures — Non-GAAP Financial Measures — Distributable Earnings,” “ — Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and Note 14 to our combined and consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. For a discussion of cash distributions and the difference between Distributable Earnings and such cash distribution during the historical periods presented, see “Cash Distribution Policy.”

(5)		We established our Fund of Funds Solutions segment on July 1, 2011. These results are for the period from July 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

	•	Buyout Funds. Our buyout teams advise a diverse group of 17 active funds that invest in transactions that focus either on a particular geography (United States, Europe, Asia, Japan, South America or the Middle East and North Africa (“MENA”)) or a particular industry (e.g., financial services). As of December 31, 2011, our buyout funds had, in the aggregate, approximately $47 billion in AUM.

	•	Growth Capital Funds. Our nine active growth capital funds are advised by three regionally-focused teams in the United States, Europe and Asia, with each team generally focused on middle-market and growth companies consistent with specific regional investment considerations. As of December 31, 2011, our growth capital funds had, in the aggregate, approximately $4 billion in AUM.

				% of								Fee-																				Amount				Investments
				Total				AUM				Earning				Active				Active				Available				Investment				Invested Since				Since
AUM				AUM				CAGR				AUM				Investments				Funds				Capital				Professionals				Inception				Inception
$	51				35	%			22	%		$	38				167				26			$	13				254			$	49				422

	•	Real Estate.  Our 10 active real estate funds pursue real estate investment opportunities in Asia, Europe and the United States and generally focus on acquiring single-property opportunities rather than large-cap companies with real estate portfolios. As of December 31, 2011, our real estate funds had, in the aggregate, approximately $12 billion in AUM.

	•	Infrastructure.  Our infrastructure investment team focuses on investments in infrastructure companies and assets. As of December 31, 2011, we advised one infrastructure fund with approximately $1 billion in AUM.

	•	Energy & Renewable Resources.  Our energy and renewable resources activities focus on buyouts, growth capital investments and strategic joint ventures in the midstream, upstream, power and oilfield services sectors, as well as the renewable and alternative sectors of the energy industry. We currently conduct these activities with Riverstone, jointly advising six funds with approximately $17 billion in AUM as of December 31, 2011. We and Riverstone have mutually decided not to pursue additional jointly managed funds (although we will continue to advise jointly with Riverstone the six existing energy and renewable resources funds). We are actively exploring new approaches through which to expand our energy capabilities and intend to augment our significant in-house expertise in this sector.

				% of								Fee-																				Amount				Investments
				Total				AUM				Earning				Active				Active				Available				Investment				Invested Since				Since
AUM				AUM				CAGR				AUM				Investments				Funds				Capital				Professionals				Inception				Inception
$	31				21	%			37	%		$	22				330				17			$	8				136			$	26				552

				% of Total								Fee-Earning				Active				Investment
AUM				AUM				AUM CAGR				AUM				Funds				Professionals(1)
$	24				16	%			33	%		$	23				46				145

(1)		Includes 31 middle office and back office professionals.

	•	Fund Investments.  AlpInvest fund of funds vehicles make investment commitments directly to buyout, growth capital, venture and other alternative asset funds advised by other general partners (“portfolio funds”). As of December 31, 2011, AlpInvest advised 25 fund of funds vehicles totaling, in the aggregate, approximately $30 billion in AUM.

	•	Co-investments.  AlpInvest invests alongside other private equity and mezzanine funds in which it has a fund investment throughout Europe, North America and Asia. As of

		December 31, 2011, AlpInvest co-investments programs were conducted through 15 fund of funds vehicles totaling, in the aggregate, approximately $5 billion in AUM.

	•	Secondary Investments.  AlpInvest also advises funds that acquire interests in portfolio funds in secondary market transactions. As of December 31, 2011, AlpInvest’s secondary investments program was conducted through 12 fund of funds vehicles totaling, in the aggregate, approximately $6 billion in AUM.

				% of								Fund of								Amount
				Total				Fee-Earning				Funds				Available				Invested				Investment
AUM(1)				AUM				AUM				Vehicles				Capital				Since Inception				Professionals(2)
$	41				28	%		$	28				52			$	15			$	38				60

(1)		Under our arrangements with the historical owners and management team of AlpInvest, such persons are allocated all carried interest in respect of the historical investments and commitments to our fund of funds vehicles that existed as of December 31, 2010, 85% of the carried interest in respect of commitments from the historical owners of AlpInvest for the period between 2011 and 2020 and 60% of the carried interest in respect of all other commitments (including all future commitments from third parties).

(2)		Includes 24 middle office and back office professionals.

 

Competitive Strengths

		As of December 31, 2011												Inception to December 31, 2011
																						Realized/
										Realized/												Partially
		Cumulative								Partially												Realized
		Invested								Realized				Gross				Net				Gross
		Capital(2)				MOIC(3)				MOIC(3)(4)				IRR(5)				IRR(6)				IRR(4)(5)
		(Dollars in billions)
Corporate Private Equity(1)		$	48.7				1.8	x			2.6x				27	%			18	%			31%
Real Assets(1)		$	26.4				1.5	x			2.0x				17	%			10	%			29%
Fund of Funds Solutions(1)		$	38.3				1.3	x			n/a				10	%			9	%			n/a

As of

December 31,

2011

Inception to December 31, 2011

Net

Net Annualized

Total AUM

Gross IRR(5)

IRR(6)

Return(7)

(Dollars in billions)

Global Market Strategies(8)

CSP II (carry fund)

$

1.6

15%

10%

n/a

Claren Road Master Fund (hedge fund)

$

4.7

n/a

n/a

11%

Claren Road Opportunities Fund (hedge fund)

$

1.4

n/a

n/a

18%

(1)		For purposes of aggregation, funds that report in foreign currency have been converted to U.S. dollars at the reporting period spot rate.
(2)		Represents the original cost of all capital called for investments since inception.
(3)		Multiple of invested capital (“MOIC”) represents total fair value, before management fees, expenses and carried interest, divided by cumulative invested capital.
(4)		An investment is considered realized when the investment fund has completely exited, and ceases to own an interest in, the investment. An investment is considered partially realized when the total proceeds received in respect of such investment, including dividends, interest or other distributions and/or return of capital represents at least 85% of invested capital and such investment is not yet fully realized. Because part of our value creation strategy involves pursuing best exit alternatives, we believe information regarding Realized/Partially Realized MOIC and Gross IRR, when considered together with the other investment performance metrics presented, provides investors with meaningful information regarding our investment performance by removing the impact of investments where significant realization activity has not yet occurred. Realized/Partially Realized MOIC and Gross IRR have limitations as measures of investment performance, and should not be considered in isolation. Such limitations include the fact that these measures do not include the performance of earlier stage and other investments that do not satisfy the criteria provided above. The exclusion of such investments will have a positive impact on Realized/Partially Realized MOIC and Gross IRR in instances when the MOIC and Gross IRR in respect of such investments are less than the aggregate MOIC and Gross IRR. Our measurements of Realized/Partially Realized MOIC and Gross IRR may not be comparable to those of other companies that use similarly titled measures.

(5)		Gross Internal Rate of Return (“IRR”) represents the annualized IRR for the period indicated on limited partner invested capital based on contributions, distributions and unrealized value before management fees, expenses and carried interest.
(6)		Net IRR represents the annualized IRR for the period indicated on limited partner invested capital based on contributions, distributions and unrealized value after management fees, expenses and carried interest.
(7)		Net Annualized Return is presented for fee-paying investors on a total return basis, net of all fees and expenses.
(8)		Due to the disparate nature of the underlying asset classes in which our Global Market Strategies funds participate (e.g., syndicated loans, bonds, distressed securities, mezzanine loans, emerging markets equities, macroeconomic products) and the inherent difficulties in aggregating the performance of closed-end and open-end funds, the presentation of aggregate investment performance across this segment would not be meaningful.

	•	continue to generate attractive investment returns for our fund investors across our multi-fund, multi-product global investment platform, including by increasing the value of our current portfolio and leveraging the strong capital position of our investment funds to pursue new investment opportunities;

	•	continue to inspire the confidence and loyalty of our more than 1,400 active carry fund investors, and further expand our investor base, with a focus on client service and strong investment performance;

	•	continue to grow our AUM by raising follow-on investment funds across our four segments and by broadening our platform, through both organic growth and selective acquisitions, where we believe we can provide investors with differentiated products to meet their needs;
	•	further advance our leadership position in core non-U.S. geographic markets, including high-growth emerging markets such as China, Latin America, India, MENA and Sub-Saharan Africa; and
	•	continue to demonstrate principled industry leadership and to be a responsible and respected member of the global community by demonstrating our commitment to environmental, social and governance standards in our investment activities.

	•	adverse economic and market conditions, which can affect our business and liquidity position in many ways, including by reducing the value or performance of the investments made by our investment funds and reducing the ability of our investment funds to raise or deploy capital;
	•	changes in the debt financing markets, which could negatively impact the ability of our funds and their portfolio companies to obtain attractive financing or refinancing for their investments and operations, and could increase the cost of such financing if it is obtained, leading to lower-yielding investments;
	•	the potential volatility of our revenue, income and cash flow, which is influenced by:

	•	the fact that carried interest is only received when investments are realized and achieve a certain specified return;
	•	changes in the carrying values and performance of our funds’ investments; and
	•	the life cycle of our carry funds, which influences the timing of our accrual and realization of carried interest;
	•	the fact that the fees we receive for transaction advisory services are dependent upon the level of transactional activity during the period;

	•	our dependence on our founders and other key personnel and our ability to attract, retain and motivate high quality employees who will bring value to our operations;
	•	business and regulatory impediments to our efforts to expand into new investment strategies, markets and businesses;
	•	the fact that most of our investment funds invest in illiquid, long-term investments that are not marketable securities, and such investments may lose significant value during an economic downturn;
	•	the potential for poor performance of our investment funds; and
	•	the possibility that we will not be able to continue to raise capital from third-party investors on advantageous terms.

	•	The Carlyle Group L.P. will be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and our common unitholders therefore will be required to take into account their allocable share of items of income, gain, loss and deduction of The Carlyle Group L.P. in computing their U.S. federal income tax liability;
	•	Although we currently intend to make annual distributions in an amount sufficient to cover the anticipated U.S. federal, state and local income tax liabilities of holders of common units in respect of their allocable share of our net taxable income, it is possible that such tax

		liabilities will exceed the cash distributions that holders of common units receive from us; and

	•	Although not enacted, the U.S. Congress has considered legislation that would have precluded us from qualifying as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes or required us to hold carried interest through taxable subsidiary corporations for taxable years after a ten-year transition period and would have taxed individual holders of common units with respect to certain income and gains now taxed at capital gains rates, including gain on disposition of units, at increased rates. Similar legislation could be enacted in the future.

 

Organizational Structure

	•	all management fees payable in respect of all current and future investment funds that we advise, as well as the fees for transaction advisory and oversight services that may be payable

		by these investment funds’ portfolio companies (subject to certain third party interests, as described below);

	•	all carried interest earned in respect of all current and future carry funds that we advise (subject to certain third party interests, including those described below and to the allocation to our investment professionals who work in these operations of a portion of this carried interest as described below);
	•	all incentive fees (subject to certain interests in Claren Road and ESG and, with respect to other funds earning incentive fees, any performance-related allocations to investment professionals); and

	•	all returns on investments of our own balance sheet capital that we make following this offering (as well as on existing investments with an aggregate value of approximately $249.3 million as of December 31, 2011).

(1)		The Carlyle Group L.P. common unitholders will have only limited voting rights and will have no right to remove our general partner or, except in limited circumstances, elect the directors of our general partner. TCG Carlyle Global Partners L.L.C., an entity wholly-owned by our senior Carlyle professionals, will hold a special voting unit in The Carlyle Group L.P. that will entitle it, on those few matters that may be submitted for a vote of The Carlyle Group L.P. common unitholders, to participate in the vote on the same basis as the common unitholders and provide it with a number of votes that is equal to the aggregate number of vested and unvested partnership units in Carlyle Holdings held by the limited partners of Carlyle Holdings on the relevant record date. See “Material Provisions of The Carlyle Group L.P. Partnership Agreement — Withdrawal or Removal of the General Partner,” “— Meetings; Voting” and “— Election of Directors of General Partner.”

(2)		Certain individuals engaged in our business will continue to own interests directly in selected operating subsidiaries, including, in certain instances, entities that receive management fees from funds that we advise. The Carlyle Holdings partnerships will also directly own interests in selected operating subsidiaries. For additional information concerning these interests see “Organizational Structure — Our Organizational Structure Following this Offering — Certain Non-controlling Interests in Operating Subsidiaries.”

 

The Offering

Common units offered by The Carlyle Group L.P.		common units.
Common units outstanding after the offering transactions		common units (or          common units if all outstanding Carlyle Holdings partnership units held by our existing owners were exchanged for newly-issued common units on a one-for-one basis).
Use of proceeds		We estimate that the net proceeds to The Carlyle Group L.P. from this offering, after deducting estimated underwriting discounts, will be approximately $     , or $      if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional common units.

		The Carlyle Group L.P. intends to use all of these proceeds to purchase newly issued Carlyle Holdings partnership units from Carlyle Holdings, as described under “Organizational Structure — Offering Transactions.” We intend to cause Carlyle Holdings to use a portion of these proceeds to repay the outstanding indebtedness under the revolving credit facility of our existing senior secured credit facility and the remainder for general corporate purposes, including general operational needs, growth initiatives, acquisitions and strategic investments and to fund capital commitments to, and other investments in and alongside of, our investment funds. We anticipate that the acquisitions we may pursue will be those that would broaden our platform where we believe we can provide investors with differentiated products to meet their needs. Carlyle Holdings will also bear or reimburse The Carlyle Group L.P. for all of the expenses of this offering, which we estimate will be approximately $     . See “Use of Proceeds” and “Capitalization.”

Voting rights		Our general partner, Carlyle Group Management L.L.C., will manage all of our operations and activities. You will not hold an interest in our general partner, which is wholly-owned by our senior Carlyle professionals. Unlike the holders of common stock in a corporation, you will have only limited voting rights and will have no right to remove our general partner or, except in limited circumstances, elect the directors of our general partner.
		In addition, TCG Carlyle Global Partners L.L.C., an entity wholly-owned by our senior Carlyle professionals, will hold a special voting unit that provides it with a number of votes on any matter that may be submitted for a vote of our common unitholders that is equal to the aggregate number of vested and unvested Carlyle Holdings partnership units held by the limited partners of Carlyle Holdings. Accordingly, immediately following this offering our existing owners generally will have sufficient voting power to determine the outcome of those few matters that may be submitted for a vote of the limited partners of The Carlyle Group L.P. Our common unitholders’ voting rights will be further restricted

		by the provision in our partnership agreement stating that any common units held by a person that beneficially owns 20% or more of any class of The Carlyle Group L.P. common units then outstanding (other than our general partner and its affiliates, or a direct or subsequently approved transferee of our general partner or its affiliates) cannot be voted on any matter. See “Material Provisions of The Carlyle Group L.P. Partnership Agreement — Withdrawal or Removal of the General Partner,” “— Meetings; Voting” and “— Election of Directors of General Partner.”
Cash distribution policy		Our general partner currently intends to cause The Carlyle Group L.P. to make quarterly distributions to our common unitholders of its share of distributions from Carlyle Holdings, net of taxes and amounts payable under the tax receivable agreement as described below. We currently anticipate that we will cause Carlyle Holdings to make quarterly distributions to its partners, including The Carlyle Group L.P.’s wholly owned subsidiaries, that will enable The Carlyle Group L.P. to pay a quarterly distribution of $      per common unit. In addition, we currently anticipate that we will cause Carlyle Holdings to make annual distributions to its partners, including The Carlyle Group L.P.’s wholly owned subsidiaries, in an amount that, taken together with the other above-described quarterly distributions, represents substantially all of our Distributable Earnings in excess of the amount determined by our general partner to be necessary or appropriate to provide for the conduct of our business, to make appropriate investments in our business and our funds or to comply with applicable law or any of our financing agreements. We anticipate that the aggregate amount of our distributions for most years will be less than our Distributable Earnings for that year due to these funding requirements. For a discussion of the difference between Distributable Earnings and cash distributions during the historical periods presented, see “Cash Distribution Policy.”
		Notwithstanding the foregoing, the declaration and payment of any distributions will be at the sole discretion of our general partner, which may change our distribution policy at any time. Our general partner will take into account general economic and business conditions, our strategic plans and prospects, our business and investment opportunities, our financial condition and operating results, working capital requirements and anticipated cash needs, contractual restrictions and obligations, legal, tax and regulatory restrictions, other constraints on the payment of distributions by us to our common unitholders or by our subsidiaries to us, and such other factors as our general partner may deem relevant.
		The Carlyle Group L.P. will be a holding partnership and will have no material assets other than its ownership of partnership units in Carlyle Holdings held through wholly-owned subsidiaries. We intend to cause Carlyle Holdings to make distributions to its partners, including the

		wholly-owned subsidiaries of The Carlyle Group L.P., in order to fund any distributions we may declare on the common units. If Carlyle Holdings makes such distributions, the limited partners of Carlyle Holdings will be entitled to receive equivalent distributions pro rata based on their partnership interests in Carlyle Holdings. Because Carlyle Holdings I GP Inc. must pay taxes and make payments under the tax receivable agreement, the amounts ultimately distributed by The Carlyle Group L.P. to common unitholders are expected to be less, on a per unit basis, than the amounts distributed by the Carlyle Holdings partnerships to the limited partners of the Carlyle Holdings partnerships in respect of their Carlyle Holdings partnership units.
		In addition, the partnership agreements of the Carlyle Holdings partnerships will provide for cash distributions, which we refer to as “tax distributions,” to the partners of such partnerships if our wholly-owned subsidiaries that are the general partners of the Carlyle Holdings partnerships determine that the taxable income of the relevant partnership will give rise to taxable income for its partners. Generally, these tax distributions will be computed based on our estimate of the net taxable income of the relevant partnership allocable to a partner multiplied by an assumed tax rate equal to the highest effective marginal combined U.S. federal, state and local income tax rate prescribed for an individual or corporate resident in New York, New York (taking into account the non-deductibility of certain expenses and the character of our income). The Carlyle Holdings partnerships will make tax distributions only to the extent distributions from such partnerships for the relevant year were otherwise insufficient to cover such tax liabilities. The Carlyle Group L.P. is not required to distribute to its common unitholders any of the cash that its wholly-owned subsidiaries may receive as a result of tax distributions by the Carlyle Holdings partnerships.
		For limitations on our ability to make distributions, see “Cash Distribution Policy.”

Exchange rights of holders of Carlyle Holdings partnership units		Prior to this offering we will enter into an exchange agreement with our senior Carlyle professionals and the other limited partners of the Carlyle Holdings partnerships so that these holders, subject to the vesting and minimum retained ownership requirements and transfer restrictions set forth in the partnership agreements of the Carlyle Holdings partnerships, may on a quarterly basis, from and after the first anniversary of the date of the closing of this offering (subject to the terms of the exchange agreement), exchange their Carlyle Holdings partnership units for The Carlyle Group L.P. common units on a one-for-one basis, subject to customary conversion rate adjustments for splits, unit distributions and reclassifications. In

		addition, subject to certain requirements, CalPERS will generally be permitted to exchange Carlyle Holdings partnership units for common units from and after the closing of this offering. Any common units received by CalPERS in any such exchange during the lock-up period described in “Common Units Eligible For Future Sale — Lock-Up Arrangements” would be subject to the restrictions described in such section. A Carlyle Holdings limited partner must exchange one partnership unit in each of the three Carlyle Holdings partnerships to effect an exchange for a common unit. As the number of Carlyle Holdings partnership units held by the limited partners of the Carlyle Holdings partnerships declines, the number of votes to which TCG Carlyle Global Partners L.L.C. is entitled as a result of its ownership of the special voting unit will be correspondingly reduced. For information concerning transfer restrictions that will apply to holders of Carlyle Holdings partnership units, including our senior Carlyle professionals, see “Management — Vesting; Minimum Retained Ownership Requirements and Transfer Restrictions.”

Tax receivable agreement		Future exchanges of Carlyle Holdings partnership units are expected to result in increases in the tax basis of the tangible and intangible assets of Carlyle Holdings, primarily attributable to a portion of the goodwill inherent in our business. These increases in tax basis will increase (for tax purposes) depreciation and amortization deductions and therefore reduce the amount of tax that certain of our subsidiaries, including Carlyle Holdings I GP Inc., which we refer to as the “corporate taxpayers,” would otherwise be required to pay in the future. This increase in tax basis may also decrease gain (or increase loss) on future dispositions of certain capital assets to the extent tax basis is allocated to those capital assets. We will enter into a tax receivable agreement with our existing owners whereby the corporate taxpayers will agree to pay to our existing owners 85% of the amount of cash tax savings, if any, in U.S. federal, state and local income tax that they realize as a result of these increases in tax basis. The corporate taxpayers will have the right to terminate the tax receivable agreement by making payments to our existing owners calculated by reference to the value of all future payments that our existing owners would have been entitled to receive under the tax receivable agreement using certain valuation assumptions, including that any Carlyle Holdings partnership units that have not been exchanged are deemed exchanged for the market value of the common units at the time of termination, and that the corporate taxpayers will have sufficient taxable income in each future taxable year to fully realize all potential tax savings. Based upon certain assumptions described in greater detail under “Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions — Tax Receivable Agreement,” we estimate that

		if the corporate taxpayers were to exercise their termination right immediately following this offering, the aggregate amount of these termination payments would be approximately $      million. See “Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions — Tax Receivable Agreement.”
Risk factors		See “Risk Factors” for a discussion of risks you should carefully consider before deciding to invest in our common units.
Proposed trading symbol		“CG.”

	•	common units issuable upon exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional common units from us;
	•	common units issuable upon exchange of           Carlyle Holdings partnership units that will be held by our existing owners immediately following the offering transactions;
	•	up to           common units issuable upon exchange of up to           Carlyle Holdings partnership units that may be issued in connection with the contingently issuable equity interests received by the sellers as part of our acquisition of Claren Road, subject to adjustment as described below. See Note 3 to the combined and consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus; or
	•	interests that may be granted under the 2012 Carlyle Group Equity Incentive Plan, or our “Equity Incentive Plan,” consisting of:

	—	deferred restricted common units that we expect to grant to our employees at the time of this offering;

	—	phantom deferred restricted common units that we expect to grant to our employees at the time of this offering, which are settleable in cash; and

	—	additional common units or Carlyle Holdings partnership units available for future grant under our Equity Incentive Plan, which are subject to automatic annual increases.

 

Summary Financial and Other Data

		Pro Forma(4) for
		the Year
		Ended
		December 31,				Year Ended December 31,
		2011				2011				2010				2009
		(Dollars in millions)
Statement of Operations Data
Revenues
Fund management fees		$				$	915.5			$	770.3			$	788.1
Performance fees
Realized							1,307.4				266.4				11.1
Unrealized							(185.8	)			1,215.6				485.6
Total performance fees							1,121.6				1,482.0				496.7
Investment income							78.4				72.6				5.0
Interest and other income							15.8				21.4				27.3
Interest and other income of Consolidated Funds							714.0				452.6				0.7
Total Revenues							2,845.3				2,798.9				1,317.8
Expenses
Compensation and benefits
Base compensation							374.5				265.2				264.2
Performance fee related
Realized							225.7				46.6				1.1
Unrealized							(122.3	)			117.2				83.1
Total compensation and benefits							477.9				429.0				348.4
General, administrative and other expenses							323.5				177.2				236.6
Interest							60.6				17.8				30.6
Interest and other expenses of Consolidated Funds							453.1				233.3				0.7
Other non-operating expenses							32.0				—				—
Loss (gain) from early extinguishment of debt, net of related expenses							—				2.5				(10.7	)
Equity issued for affiliate debt financing							—				214.0				—
Total Expenses							1,347.1				1,073.8				605.6
Other Income (Loss)
Net investment losses of Consolidated Funds							(323.3	)			(245.4	)			(33.8	)
Gain on business acquisition							7.9				—				—
Income before provision for income taxes							1,182.8				1,479.7				678.4
Provision for income taxes							28.5				20.3				14.8
Net income							1,154.3				1,459.4				663.6
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests in consolidated entities							(202.6	)			(66.2	)			(30.5	)
Net income attributable to Carlyle Group		$				$	1,356.9			$	1,525.6			$	694.1
Other Data
Economic Net Income(1)(2)		$				$	833.1			$	1,014.0			$	416.3
Distributable Earnings(1)(3)		$				$	864.4			$	342.5			$	165.3
Fee-Earning Assets Under Management (at period end)						$	111,024.6			$	80,776.5			$	75,410.5
Total Assets Under Management (at period end)						$	147,022.7			$	107,511.8			$	89,831.5

		Pro Forma(4)
		As of
		December 31,				As of December 31,
		2011				2011				2010				2009
		(Dollars in millions)
Balance Sheet Data
Cash and cash equivalents		$				$	509.6			$	616.9			$	488.1
Investments and accrued performance fees		$				$	2,644.0			$	2,594.3			$	1,279.2
Investments of Consolidated Funds(5)		$				$	19,507.3			$	11,864.6			$	163.9
Total assets		$				$	24,651.7			$	17,062.8			$	2,509.6
Loans payable		$				$	860.9			$	597.5			$	412.2
Subordinated loan payable to affiliate		$				$	262.5			$	494.0			$	—
Loans payable of Consolidated Funds		$				$	9,689.9			$	10,433.5			$	—
Total liabilities		$				$	13,561.1			$	14,170.2			$	1,796.0
Redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated entities		$				$	1,923.4			$	694.0			$	—
Total members’ equity		$				$	817.3			$	895.2			$	437.5
Equity appropriated for Consolidated Funds		$				$	853.7			$	938.5			$	—
Non-controlling interests in consolidated entities		$				$	7,496.2			$	364.9			$	276.1
Total equity		$				$	9,167.2			$	2,198.6			$	713.6

(1)		Under GAAP, we are required to consolidate certain of the investment funds that we advise. However, for segment reporting purposes, we present revenues and expenses on a basis that deconsolidates these investment funds.

(2)		ENI, a non-GAAP measure, represents segment net income excluding the impact of income taxes, acquisition-related items including amortization of acquired intangibles and earn-outs, charges associated with equity-based compensation issued in this offering or future acquisitions, corporate actions and infrequently occurring or unusual events (e.g., acquisition related costs and gains and losses on fair value adjustments on contingent consideration, gains and losses from the retirement of our debt, charges associated with lease terminations and employee severance and settlements of legal claims). For discussion about the purposes for which our management uses ENI and the reasons why we believe our presentation of ENI provides useful information to investors regarding our results of operations as well as a reconciliation of Economic Net Income to Income Before Provision for Income Taxes, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Key Financial Measures — Non-GAAP Financial Measures — Economic Net Income” and “— Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and Note 14 to our combined and consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this prospectus.

(3)		Distributable Earnings, a non-GAAP measure, is a component of ENI representing total ENI less unrealized performance fees and unrealized investment income plus unrealized performance fee compensation expense. For a discussion about the purposes for which our management uses Distributable Earnings and the reasons why we believe our presentation of Distributable Earnings provides useful information to investors regarding our results of operations as well as a reconciliation of Distributable Earnings to Income Before Provision for Income Taxes, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Key Financial Measures — Non-GAAP Financial Measures — Distributable Earnings” and — Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and Note 14 to our combined and consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this prospectus.

(4)		Refer to “Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information.”
(5)		The entities comprising our consolidated funds are not the same entities for all periods presented. Pursuant to revised consolidation guidance that became effective January 1, 2010, we consolidated the existing and any subsequently acquired CLOs where we hold a controlling financial interest. The consolidation of funds during the periods presented generally has the effect of grossing up reported assets, liabilities, and cash flows, and has no effect on net income attributable to Carlyle Group or members’ equity.

 

An investment in our common units involves risks. You should carefully consider the following information about these risks, together with the other information contained in this prospectus, before investing in our common units.

 

Adverse economic and market conditions could negatively impact our business in many ways, including by reducing the value or performance of the investments made by our investment funds, reducing the ability of our investment funds to raise or deploy capital, and impacting our liquidity position, any of which could materially reduce our revenue and cash flow and adversely affect our financial condition.

 

Our business may be materially affected by conditions in the global financial markets and economic conditions or events throughout the world that are outside of our control, including but not limited to changes in interest rates, availability of credit, inflation rates, economic uncertainty, changes in laws (including laws relating to taxation), trade barriers, commodity prices, currency exchange rates and controls and national and international political circumstances (including wars, terrorist acts or security operations). These factors may affect the level and volatility of securities prices and the liquidity and the value of investments, and we may not be able to or may choose not to manage our exposure to these market conditions and/or other events. In the event of a market downturn, each of our businesses could be affected in different ways.

 

For example, the unprecedented turmoil in the global financial markets during 2008 and 2009 provoked significant volatility of securities prices, contraction in the availability of credit and the failure of a number of companies, including leading financing institutions, and had a significant material adverse effect on our Corporate Private Equity, Real Assets and Global Market Strategies businesses. During that period, many economies around the world, including the U.S. economy, experienced significant declines in employment, household wealth and lending. In addition, the recent speculation regarding the inability of Greece and certain other European countries to pay their national debt, the response by Eurozone policy makers to mitigate this sovereign debt crisis and the concerns regarding the stability of the Eurozone currency have created uncertainty in the credit markets. As a result, there has been a strain on banks and other financial services participants, which could adversely affect our ability to obtain credit on favorable terms or at all. Those events led to a significantly diminished availability of credit and an increase in the cost of financing. The lack of credit in 2008 and 2009 materially hindered the initiation of new, large-sized transactions for our Corporate Private Equity and Real Assets segments and adversely impacted our operating results in those periods. While the adverse effects of that period have abated to a degree, global financial markets have experienced significant volatility following the downgrade by Standard & Poor’s on August 5, 2011 of the long-term credit rating of U.S. Treasury debt from AAA to AA+. The capital market volatility we are currently experiencing that became more pronounced beginning in August 2011 has continued to impact valuations of a significant number of our funds’ investments and fund performance as of and for the year ended December 31, 2011. There continue to be signs of economic weakness such as relatively high levels of unemployment in major markets including the United States and Europe. Further, financial institutions have not yet provided debt financing in amounts and on the terms commensurate with what they provided prior to 2008.

 

Our funds may be affected by reduced opportunities to exit and realize value from their investments, by lower than expected returns on investments made prior to the deterioration of the credit markets and by the fact that we may not be able to find suitable investments for the funds to effectively deploy capital, all of which could adversely affect the timing of new funds and our ability to raise new funds. During periods of difficult market conditions or slowdowns (which may be across one or more industries or geographies), our funds’ portfolio companies may experience adverse operating performance, decreased revenues, financial losses, difficulty in obtaining access to financing and increased funding costs. Negative financial results in our funds’ portfolio companies may result in lower

investment returns for our investment funds, which could materially and adversely affect our ability to raise new funds as well as our operating results and cash flow. During such periods of weakness, our funds’ portfolio companies may also have difficulty expanding their businesses and operations or meeting their debt service obligations or other expenses as they become due, including expenses payable to us. Furthermore, such negative market conditions could potentially result in a portfolio company entering bankruptcy proceedings, or in the case of our Real Assets funds, the abandonment or foreclosure of investments, thereby potentially resulting in a complete loss of the fund’s investment in such portfolio company or real assets and a significant negative impact to the fund’s performance and consequently our operating results and cash flow, as well as to our reputation. In addition, negative market conditions would also increase the risk of default with respect to investments held by our funds that have significant debt investments, such as our Global Market Strategies funds.

 

Our operating performance may also be adversely affected by our fixed costs and other expenses and the possibility that we would be unable to scale back other costs within a time frame sufficient to match any decreases in revenue relating to changes in market and economic conditions. In order to reduce expenses in the face of a difficult economic environment, we may need to cut back or eliminate the use of certain services or service providers, or terminate the employment of a significant number of our personnel that, in each case, could be important to our business and without which our operating results could be adversely affected.

 

Finally, during periods of difficult market conditions or slowdowns, our fund investment performance could suffer, resulting in, for example, the payment of less or no carried interest to us. The payment of less or no carried interest could cause our cash flow from operations to significantly decrease, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity position and the amount of cash we have on hand to conduct our operations. Having less cash on hand could in turn require us to rely on other sources of cash (such as the capital markets which may not be available to us on acceptable terms) to conduct our operations, which include, for example, funding significant general partner and co-investment commitments to our carry funds and fund of funds vehicles. Furthermore, during adverse economic and market conditions, we might not be able to renew all or part of our credit facility or find alternate financing on commercially reasonable terms. As a result, our uses of cash may exceed our sources of cash, thereby potentially affecting our liquidity position.

 

Changes in the debt financing markets could negatively impact the ability of certain of our funds and their portfolio companies to obtain attractive financing or re-financing for their investments and could increase the cost of such financing if it is obtained, which could lead to lower-yielding investments and potentially decreasing our net income.

 

Any recurrence of the significant contraction in the market for debt financing that occurred in 2008 and 2009 or other adverse change to us relating to the terms of such debt financing with, for example, higher rates, higher equity requirements and/or more restrictive covenants, particularly in the area of acquisition financings for leveraged buyout and real assets transactions, could have a material adverse impact on our business. In the event that certain of our funds are unable to obtain committed debt financing for potential acquisitions or can only obtain debt at an increased interest rate or on unfavorable terms, certain of our funds may have difficulty completing otherwise profitable acquisitions or may generate profits that are lower than would otherwise be the case, either of which could lead to a decrease in the investment income earned by us. Similarly, our funds’ portfolio companies regularly utilize the corporate debt markets in order to obtain financing for their operations. To the extent that the credit markets render such financing difficult to obtain or more expensive, this may negatively impact the operating performance of those portfolio companies and, therefore, the investment returns of our funds. In addition, to the extent that the markets make it difficult or impossible to refinance debt that is maturing in the near term, some of our portfolio companies may be unable to repay such debt at maturity and may be forced to sell assets, undergo a recapitalization or seek bankruptcy protection.

Our revenue, net income and cash flow are variable, which may make it difficult for us to achieve steady earnings growth on a quarterly basis.

 

Our revenue, net income and cash flow are variable. For example, our cash flow fluctuates due to the fact that we receive carried interest from our carry funds and fund of funds vehicles only when investments are realized and achieve a certain preferred return. In addition, transaction fees received by our carry funds can vary from quarter to quarter. We may also experience fluctuations in our results, including our revenue and net income, from quarter to quarter due to a number of other factors, including changes in the carrying values and performance of our funds’ investments that can result in significant volatility in the carried interest that we have accrued (or as to which we have reversed prior accruals) from period to period, as well as changes in the amount of distributions, dividends or interest paid in respect of investments, changes in our operating expenses, the degree to which we encounter competition and general economic and market conditions. For instance, during the most recent economic downturn, we recorded significant reductions in the carrying values of many of the investments of the investment funds we advise. The carrying value of fund investments may be more variable during times of market volatility. Such variability in the timing and amount of our accruals and realizations of carried interest and transaction fees may lead to volatility in the trading price of our common units and cause our results and cash flow for a particular period not to be indicative of our performance in a future period. We may not achieve steady growth in net income and cash flow on a quarterly basis, which could in turn lead to adverse movements in the price of our common units or increased volatility in our common unit price generally. The timing and receipt of carried interest also varies with the life cycle of our carry funds. For instance, the significant distributions made by our carry funds during 2010 and 2011 were partly a function of the relatively large portion of our AUM attributable to carry funds and investments that were in their “harvesting” period during such time, as opposed to the fundraising or investment periods which precede harvesting. During periods in which a significant portion of our AUM is attributable to carry funds and fund of funds vehicles or their investments that are not in their harvesting periods, as has been the case from time to time, we may receive substantially lower distributions. Moreover, even if an investment proves to be profitable, it may be several years before any profits can be realized in cash (or other proceeds). We cannot predict precisely when, or if, realizations of investments will occur. For example, for an extended period beginning the latter half of 2007, the global credit crisis made it difficult for potential purchasers to secure financing to purchase companies in our investment funds’ portfolio, which limited the number of potential realization events. A downturn in the equity markets also makes it more difficult to exit investments by selling equity securities. If we were to have a realization event in a particular quarter, the event may have a significant impact on our quarterly results and cash flow for that particular quarter which may not be replicated in subsequent quarters.

 

We recognize revenue on investments in our investment funds based on our allocable share of realized and unrealized gains (or losses) reported by such investment funds, and a decline in realized or unrealized gains, or an increase in realized or unrealized losses, would adversely affect our revenue, which could further increase the volatility of our quarterly results and cash flow. Because our carry funds and fund of funds vehicles have preferred investor return thresholds that need to be met prior to us receiving any carried interest, declines in, or failures to increase sufficiently the carrying value of, the investment portfolios of a carry fund or fund of funds vehicle may delay or eliminate any carried interest distributions paid to us in respect of that fund or vehicle, since the value of the assets in the fund or vehicle would need to recover to their aggregate cost basis plus the preferred return over time before we would be entitled to receive any carried interest from that fund or vehicle.

 

With respect to certain of the investment funds and vehicles that we advise, we are entitled to incentive fees that are paid annually, semi-annually or quarterly if the net asset value of a fund has increased. These funds also have “high-water mark” provisions whereby if the funds have experienced losses in prior periods, we will not be able to earn incentive fees with respect to an investor’s account until the net asset value of the investor’s account exceeds the highest period end

value on which incentive fees were previously paid. The incentive fees we earn are therefore dependent on the net asset value of these funds or vehicles, which could lead to volatility in our quarterly results and cash flow.

 

Our fee revenue may also depend on the pace of investment activity in our funds. In many of our carry funds, the base management fee may be reduced when the fund has invested substantially all of its capital commitments. We may receive a lower management fee from such funds after the investing period and during the period the fund is harvesting its investments. As a result, the variable pace at which many of our carry funds invest capital may cause our management fee revenue to vary from one quarter to the next. For example, the investment periods for many of the large carry funds that we raised during the particularly productive period from 2007 to early 2008 are, unless extended, scheduled to expire beginning in 2012, which will result in step-downs in the applicable management fee rates for certain of these funds. Our management fee revenues will be reduced by these step-downs in management fee rates, as well as by any adverse impact on fee-earning AUM resulting from successful realization activity in our carry funds. Our failure to successfully replace and grow fee-earning AUM through the integration of recent acquisitions and anticipated new fundraising initiatives could have an adverse effect on our management fee revenue.

 

We depend on our founders and other key personnel, and the loss of their services or investor confidence in such personnel could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

We depend on the efforts, skill, reputations and business contacts of our senior Carlyle professionals, including our founders, Messrs. Conway, D’Aniello and Rubenstein, and other key personnel, including members of our management committee, operating committee, the investment committees of our investment funds and senior investment teams, the information and deal flow they and others generate during the normal course of their activities and the synergies among the diverse fields of expertise and knowledge held by our professionals. Accordingly, our success will depend on the continued service of these individuals. Our founders currently have no immediate plans to cease providing services to our firm, but our founders and other key personnel are not obligated to remain employed with us. In addition, all of the Carlyle Holdings partnership units received by our founders and a portion of the Carlyle Holdings partnership units that other key personnel will receive in the reorganization, as described in “Organizational Structure,” will be fully vested upon issuance. Several key personnel have left the firm in the past and others may do so in the future, and we cannot predict the impact that the departure of any key personnel will have on our ability to achieve our investment objectives. The loss of the services of any of them could have a material adverse effect on our revenues, net income and cash flow and could harm our ability to maintain or grow AUM in existing funds or raise additional funds in the future. Under the provisions of the partnership agreements governing most of our carry funds, the departure of various key Carlyle personnel could, under certain circumstances, relieve fund investors of their capital commitments to those funds, if such an event is not cured to the satisfaction of the relevant fund investors within a certain amount of time. We have historically relied in part on the interests of these professionals in the investment funds’ carried interest and incentive fees to discourage them from leaving the firm. However, to the extent our investment funds perform poorly, thereby reducing the potential for carried interest and incentive fees, their interests in carried interest and incentive fees become less valuable to them and may become a less effective retention tool.

 

Our senior Carlyle professionals and other key personnel possess substantial experience and expertise and have strong business relationships with investors in our funds and other members of the business community. As a result, the loss of these personnel could jeopardize our relationships with investors in our funds and members of the business community and result in the reduction of AUM or fewer investment opportunities. For example, if any of our senior Carlyle professionals were to join or form a competing firm, that could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Recruiting and retaining professionals may be more difficult in the future, which could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

Our most important asset is our people, and our continued success is highly dependent upon the efforts of our senior and other professionals. Our future success and growth depends to a substantial degree on our ability to retain and motivate our senior Carlyle professionals and other key personnel and to strategically recruit, retain and motivate new talented personnel, including new senior Carlyle professionals. However, we may not be successful in our efforts to recruit, retain and motivate the required personnel as the market for qualified investment professionals is extremely competitive.

 

Following this offering, we may not be able to provide future senior Carlyle professionals with equity interests in our business to the same extent or with the same economic and tax consequences as those from which our existing senior Carlyle professionals previously benefited. For example, following this offering, our investment professionals and other employees are expected to be incentivized by the receipt of partnership units in Carlyle Holdings, deferred restricted common units granted pursuant to our equity plans, participation interests in carried interest and bonus compensation. The portion of their economic incentives comprising Carlyle Holdings partnership units and grants of restricted units will be greater after the offering than before the offering, and these incentives have different economic and tax characteristics than the blend of financial incentives we used before the offering.

 

If legislation were to be enacted by the U.S. Congress or any state or local governments to treat carried interest as ordinary income rather than as capital gain for tax purposes, such legislation would materially increase the amount of taxes that we and possibly our unitholders would be required to pay, thereby adversely affecting our ability to recruit, retain and motivate our current and future professionals. See “— Risks Related to U.S. Taxation— Our structure involves complex provisions of U.S. federal income tax law for which no clear precedent or authority may be available. Our structure also is subject to potential legislative, judicial or administrative change and differing interpretations, possibly on a retroactive basis” and “— Although not enacted, the U.S. Congress has considered legislation that would have: (i) in some cases after a ten-year transition period, precluded us from qualifying as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes or required us to hold carried interest through taxable subsidiary corporations; and (ii) taxed certain income and gains at increased rates. If any similar legislation were to be enacted and apply to us, the after tax income and gain related to our business, as well as our distributions to you and the market price of our common units, could be reduced.” Moreover, the value of the common units we may issue our senior Carlyle professionals at any given time may subsequently fall (as reflected in the market price of our common units), which could counteract the intended incentives.

 

As a result of the foregoing, in order to recruit and retain existing and future senior Carlyle professionals and other key personnel, we may need to increase the level of compensation that we pay to them. Accordingly, as we promote or hire new senior Carlyle professionals and other key personnel over time or attempt to retain the services of certain of our key personnel, we may increase the level of compensation we pay to these individuals, which could cause our total employee compensation and benefits expense as a percentage of our total revenue to increase and adversely affect our profitability. The issuance of equity interests in our business in the future to our senior Carlyle professionals and other personnel would also dilute public common unitholders.

 

We strive to maintain a work environment that reinforces our culture of collaboration, motivation and alignment of interests with investors. If we do not continue to develop and implement the right processes and tools to manage our changing enterprise and maintain this culture, our ability to compete successfully and achieve our business objectives could be impaired, which could negatively impact our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Given the priority we afford the interests of our fund investors and our focus on achieving superior investment performance, we may reduce our AUM, restrain its growth, reduce our fees or otherwise alter the terms under which we do business when we deem it in the best interest of our fund investors — even in circumstances where such actions might be contrary to the interests of unitholders.

 

In pursuing the interests of our fund investors, we may take actions that could reduce the profits we could otherwise realize in the short term. While we believe that our commitment to our fund investors and our discipline in this regard is in the long-term interest of us and our common unitholders, our common unitholders should understand this approach may have an adverse impact on our short-term profitability, and there is no guarantee that it will be beneficial in the long term. One of the means by which we seek to achieve superior investment performance in each of our strategies might include limiting the AUM in our strategies to an amount that we believe can be invested appropriately in accordance with our investment philosophy and current or anticipated economic and market conditions. For instance, in 2009 we released JPY 50 billion ($542 million) of co-investment commitments associated with our second Japan buyout fund (CJP II) in exchange for an extension of the fund’s investment period. In prioritizing the interests of our fund investors, we may also take other actions that could adversely impact our short-term results of operations when we deem such action appropriate. For example, in 2009, we decided to shut down one of our Real Assets funds and guaranteed to reimburse investors of the fund for capital contributions made for investments and fees to the extent investment proceeds did not cover such amounts. Additionally, we may voluntarily reduce management fee rates and terms for certain of our funds or strategies when we deem it appropriate, even when doing so may reduce our short-term revenue. For example, in 2009, we voluntarily increased the transaction fee rebate for our latest U.S. buyout fund (CP V) and our latest European buyout fund (CEP III) from 65% to 80%, and voluntarily reduced CEP III management fees by 20% for the years 2011 and 2012. We have also waived management fees on certain leveraged finance vehicles at various times to improve returns.

 

We may not be successful in expanding into new investment strategies, markets and businesses, which could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

Our growth strategy is based, in part, on the expansion of our platform through selective investment in, and development or acquisition of, alternative asset management businesses or other businesses complementary to our business. This strategy can range from smaller-sized lift-outs of investment teams to strategic alliances or acquisitions. This growth strategy involves a number of risks, including the risk that the expected synergies from an acquisition or strategic alliance will not be realized, that the expected results will not be achieved or that the investment process, controls and procedures that we have developed around our existing platform will prove insufficient or inadequate in the new investment strategy. We may also incur significant charges in connection with such acquisitions and investments and they may also potentially result in significant losses and costs. For instance, in 2007, we made an investment in a multi-strategy hedge fund joint venture, which we liquidated at a significant loss in 2008 amid deteriorating market conditions and global financial turmoil. Similarly, in 2006, we established an investment fund, which invested primarily in U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities. Beginning in March 2008, there was an unprecedented deterioration in the market for U.S. agency mortgage backed securities and the fund was forced to enter liquidation, resulting in a recorded loss for us of approximately $152 million. Such losses could adversely impact our business, results of operations and financial condition, as well as do harm to our professional reputation.

 

The success of our growth strategy will depend on, among other things:

 

 

 

Moreover, even if we are able to identify and successfully negotiate and complete an acquisition, these types of transactions can be complex and we may encounter unexpected difficulties or incur unexpected costs including:

 

 

Each transaction may also present additional unique challenges. For example, our investment in AlpInvest faces the risk that the other asset managers in whose funds AlpInvest invests may no longer be willing to provide AlpInvest with investment opportunities as favorable as in the past, if at all.

 

Our organizational documents do not limit our ability to enter into new lines of business, and we may, from time to time, expand into new investment strategies, geographic markets and businesses, each of which may result in additional risks and uncertainties in our businesses.

 

We intend, to the extent that market conditions warrant, to seek to grow our businesses and expand into new investment strategies, geographic markets and businesses. Moreover, our organizational documents do not limit us to the asset management business. To the extent that we make strategic investments or acquisitions in new geographic markets or businesses, undertake other related strategic initiatives or enter into a new line of business, we may face numerous risks and uncertainties, including risks associated with the following:

 

 

Further, entry into certain lines of business may subject us to new laws and regulations with which we are not familiar or from which we are currently exempt, and may lead to increased litigation and regulatory risk. If a new business generates insufficient revenue or if we are unable to efficiently manage our expanded operations, our results of operations may be adversely affected.

 

Our strategic initiatives may include joint ventures, which may subject us to additional risks and uncertainties in that we may be dependent upon, and subject to liability, losses or reputational damage relating to, systems, controls and personnel that are not under our control. We currently participate in several joint ventures and may elect to participate in additional joint venture opportunities in the future if we believe that operating in such a structure is in our best interests. There can be no assurances that our current joint ventures will continue in their current form, or at all, in the future or that we will be able to identify acceptable joint venture partners in the future or that our participation in any additional joint venture opportunities will be successful.

Although not enacted, the U.S. Congress has considered legislation that would have: (i) in some cases after a ten-year transition period, precluded us from qualifying as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes or required us to hold carried interest through taxable subsidiary corporations; and (ii) taxed certain income and gains at increased rates. If any similar legislation were to be enacted and apply to us, the after tax income and gain related to our business, as well as our distributions to you and the market price of our common units, could be reduced.

 

Over the past several years, a number of legislative and administrative proposals have been introduced and, in certain cases, have been passed by the U.S. House of Representatives. In May 2010, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation, or “May 2010 House bill,” that would have, in general, treated income and gains now treated as capital gains, including gain on disposition of interests, attributable to an investment services partnership interest (“ISPI”) as income subject to a new blended tax rate that is higher than the capital gains rate applicable to such income under current law, except to the extent such ISPI would have been considered under the legislation to be a qualified capital interest. Your interest in us, our interest in Carlyle Holdings II L.P. and the interests that Carlyle Holdings II L.P. holds in entities that are entitled to receive carried interest may have been classified as ISPIs for purposes of this legislation. The U.S. Senate considered but did not pass similar legislation. Recently, on February 14, 2012, Representative Levin introduced similar legislation, or “2012 Levin bill,” that would generally tax carried interest at ordinary income rates. Unlike previous proposals, the 2012 Levin bill includes exceptions, including exceptions for interests in publicly traded partnerships like The Carlyle Group L.P., that would not recharacterize all of the gain from a disposition of units as ordinary income. It is unclear when or whether the U.S. Congress will vote on this legislation or what provisions will be included in any legislation, if enacted.

 

Both the May 2010 House bill and the 2012 Levin bill provide that, for taxable years beginning 10 years after the date of enactment, income derived with respect to an ISPI that is not a qualified capital interest and that is subject to the rules discussed above would not meet the qualifying income requirements under the publicly traded partnership rules. Therefore, if similar legislation is enacted, following such ten-year period, we would be precluded from qualifying as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes or be required to hold all such ISPIs through corporations, possibly U.S. corporations. If we were taxed as a U.S. corporation or required to hold all ISPIs through corporations, our effective tax rate would increase significantly. The federal statutory rate for corporations is currently 35%. In addition, we could be subject to increased state and local taxes. Furthermore, you could be subject to tax on our conversion into a corporation or any restructuring required in order for us to hold our ISPIs through a corporation.

 

On September 12, 2011, the Obama administration submitted similar legislation to Congress in the American Jobs Act that would tax income and gain, now treated as capital gains, including gain on disposition of interests, attributable to an ISPI at rates higher than the capital gains rate applicable to such income under current law, except to the extent such ISPI would be considered to be a qualified capital interest. The proposed legislation would also characterize certain income and gain in respect of ISPIs as non-qualifying income under the publicly traded partnership rules after a ten-year transition period from the effective date, with an exception for certain qualified capital interests. This proposed legislation follows several prior statements by the Obama administration in support of changing the taxation of carried interest. Furthermore, in the American Jobs Act and in the Obama administration’s published revenue proposal for 2013, the Obama administration proposed that current law regarding the treatment of carried interest be changed to subject such income to ordinary income tax (which is taxed at a higher rate than the proposed blended tax rate under the House legislation). The Obama administration’s published revenue proposals for 2010, 2011 and 2012 contained similar proposals.

 

More recently, on February 22, 2012, the Obama administration announced its “framework” of key elements to change the U.S. federal income tax rules for businesses. Few specifics were included, and it is unclear what any actual legislation would provide, when it would be proposed or what its prospects for enactment would be. Several parts of the framework if enacted could adversely affect

us. First, the framework would reduce the deductibility of interest for corporations in some manner not specified. A reduction in interest deductions could increase our tax rate and thereby reduce cash available for distribution to investors or for other uses by us. Such a reduction could also increase the effective cost of financing by companies in which we invest, which could reduce the value of our carried interest in respect of such companies. The framework suggests some entities currently treated as partnerships for tax purposes should be subject to an entity-level income tax similar to the corporate income tax. If such a proposal caused us to be subject to additional entity-level taxes, it could reduce cash available for distribution to investors or for other uses by us. Finally, the framework reiterates the President’s support for treatment of carried interest as ordinary income, as provided in the President’s revenue proposal for 2013 described above. Because the framework did not include specifics, its effect on us is unclear, but the framework reflects a commitment by the President to try to change the tax law in ways that could be adverse to us.

 

States and other jurisdictions have also considered legislation to increase taxes with respect to carried interest. For example, New York considered legislation under which you, even if a non-resident, could be subject to New York state income tax on income in respect of our common units as a result of certain activities of our affiliates in New York. This legislation would have been retroactive to January 1, 2010. It is unclear when or whether similar legislation will be enacted. In addition, states and other jurisdictions have considered legislation to increase taxes involving other aspects of our structure. In addition, states and other jurisdictions have considered and enacted legislation which could increase taxes imposed on our income and gain. For example, the District of Columbia has recently passed legislation that could expand the portion of our income that could be subject to District of Columbia income tax.

 

We will expend significant financial and other resources to comply with the requirements of being a public entity.

 

As a public entity, we will be subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”). These requirements may place a strain on our systems and resources. The Exchange Act requires that we file annual, quarterly and current reports with respect to our business and financial condition. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires that we maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls over financial reporting, which is discussed below. See “— Our internal controls over financial reporting do not currently meet all of the standards contemplated by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and failure to achieve and maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act could have a material adverse effect on our business and common unit price.” In order to maintain and improve the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, significant resources and management oversight will be required. We will be implementing additional procedures and processes for the purpose of addressing the standards and requirements applicable to public companies. These activities may divert management’s attention from other business concerns, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. We expect to incur significant additional annual expenses related to these steps and, among other things, additional directors and officers’ liability insurance, director fees, reporting requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), transfer agent fees, hiring additional accounting, legal and administrative personnel, increased auditing and legal fees and similar expenses.

 

Our internal controls over financial reporting do not currently meet all of the standards contemplated by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and failure to achieve and maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act could have a material adverse effect on our business and common unit price.

 

We have not previously been required to comply with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, including the internal control evaluation and certification requirements of Section 404 of that

statute (“Section 404”), and we will not be required to comply with all of those requirements until we have been subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act for a specified period of time. Accordingly, our internal controls over financial reporting do not currently meet all of the standards contemplated by Section 404 that we will eventually be required to meet. We are in the process of addressing our internal controls over financial reporting and are establishing formal policies, processes and practices related to financial reporting and to the identification of key financial reporting risks, assessment of their potential impact and linkage of those risks to specific areas and activities within our organization.

 

Additionally, we have begun the process of documenting our internal control procedures to satisfy the requirements of Section 404, which requires annual management assessments of the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting and a report by our independent registered public accounting firm addressing these assessments. Because we do not currently have comprehensive documentation of our internal controls and have not yet tested our internal controls in accordance with Section 404, we cannot conclude in accordance with Section 404 that we do not have a material weakness in our internal controls or a combination of significant deficiencies that could result in the conclusion that we have a material weakness in our internal controls. As a public entity, we will be required to complete our initial assessment in a timely manner. If we are not able to implement the requirements of Section 404 in a timely manner or with adequate compliance, our operations, financial reporting or financial results could be adversely affected, and our independent registered public accounting firm may not be able to certify as to the adequacy of our internal controls over financial reporting. Matters impacting our internal controls may cause us to be unable to report our financial information on a timely basis and thereby subject us to adverse regulatory consequences, including sanctions by the SEC or violations of applicable stock exchange listing rules, and result in a breach of the covenants under the agreements governing any of our financing arrangements. There could also be a negative reaction in the financial markets due to a loss of investor confidence in us and the reliability of our financial statements. Confidence in the reliability of our financial statements could also suffer if our independent registered public accounting firm were to report a material weakness in our internal controls over financial reporting. This could materially adversely affect us and lead to a decline in our common unit price.

 

Operational risks may disrupt our businesses, result in losses or limit our growth.

 

We rely heavily on our financial, accounting, information and other data processing systems. If any of these systems do not operate properly or are disabled or if there is any unauthorized disclosure of data, whether as a result of tampering, a breach of our network security systems, a cyber incident or attack or otherwise, we could suffer substantial financial loss, increased costs, a disruption of our businesses, liability to our funds and fund investors regulatory intervention or reputational damage. In addition, we operate in businesses that are highly dependent on information systems and technology. Our information systems and technology may not continue to be able to accommodate our growth, and the cost of maintaining such systems may increase from its current level. Such a failure to accommodate growth, or an increase in costs related to such information systems, could have a material adverse effect on us.

 

Furthermore, we depend on our headquarters in Washington, D.C., where most of our administrative and operations personnel are located, and our office in Arlington, Virginia, which houses our treasury and finance functions, for the continued operation of our business. A disaster or a disruption in the infrastructure that supports our businesses, including a disruption involving electronic communications or other services used by us or third parties with whom we conduct business, or directly affecting our headquarters, could have a material adverse impact on our ability to continue to operate our business without interruption. Our disaster recovery programs may not be sufficient to mitigate the harm that may result from such a disaster or disruption. In addition, insurance and other safeguards might only partially reimburse us for our losses, if at all.

In addition, sustaining our growth will also require us to commit additional management, operational and financial resources to identify new professionals to join our firm and to maintain appropriate operational and financial systems to adequately support expansion. Due to the fact that the market for hiring talented professionals is competitive, we may not be able to grow at the pace we desire.

 

Extensive regulation in the United States and abroad affects our activities and creates the potential for significant liabilities and penalties.

 

Our business is subject to extensive regulation, including periodic examinations, by governmental agencies and self-regulatory organizations in the jurisdictions in which we operate around the world. Many of these regulators are empowered to conduct investigations and administrative proceedings that can result in fines, suspensions of personnel or other sanctions, including censure, the issuance of cease-and-desist orders or the suspension or expulsion of a broker-dealer or investment adviser from registration or memberships. Even if an investigation or proceeding does not result in a sanction or the sanction imposed against us or our personnel by a regulator were small in monetary amount, the adverse publicity relating to the investigation, proceeding or imposition of these sanctions could harm our reputation and cause us to lose existing fund investors or fail to gain new investors or discourage others from doing business with us. Some of our investment funds invest in businesses that operate in highly regulated industries, including in businesses that are regulated by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission and U.S. federal and state banking authorities. The regulatory regimes to which such businesses are subject may, among other things, condition our funds’ ability to invest in those businesses upon the satisfaction of applicable ownership restrictions or qualification requirements. Moreover, our failure to obtain or maintain any regulatory approvals necessary for our funds to invest in such industries may disqualify our funds from participating in certain investments or require our funds to divest themselves of certain assets. In addition, we regularly rely on exemptions from various requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), the Exchange Act, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), and the U.S. Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), in conducting our asset management activities in the United States. Similarly, in conducting our asset management activities outside the United States, we rely on available exemptions from the regulatory regimes of various foreign jurisdictions. These exemptions from regulation within the United States and abroad are sometimes highly complex and may in certain circumstances depend on compliance by third parties whom we do not control. If for any reason these exemptions were to become unavailable to us, we could become subject to regulatory action or third-party claims and our business could be materially and adversely affected. Moreover, the requirements imposed by our regulators are designed primarily to ensure the integrity of the financial markets and to protect investors in our funds and are not designed to protect our common unitholders. Consequently, these regulations often serve to limit our activities and impose burdensome compliance requirements. See “Business — Regulatory and Compliance Matters.”

 

We may become subject to additional regulatory and compliance burdens as we expand our product offerings and investment platform. For example, if we were to sponsor a registered investment company under the 1940 Act, such registered investment company and our subsidiary that serves as its investment adviser would be subject to the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder, which, among other things, regulate the relationship between a registered investment company and its investment adviser and prohibit or severely restrict principal transactions and joint transactions. This could increase our compliance costs and create the potential for additional liabilities and penalties.

 

Regulatory changes in the United States could adversely affect our business and the possibility of increased regulatory focus could result in additional burdens and expenses on our business.

 

As a result of the financial crisis and highly publicized financial scandals, investors have exhibited concerns over the integrity of the U.S. financial markets and the domestic regulatory environment in which we operate in the United States. There has been an active debate over the

appropriate extent of regulation and oversight of private investment funds and their managers. We may be adversely affected as a result of new or revised legislation or regulations imposed by the SEC or other U.S. governmental regulatory authorities or self-regulatory organizations that supervise the financial markets. We also may be adversely affected by changes in the interpretation or enforcement of existing laws and rules by these governmental authorities and self-regulatory organizations. Regulatory focus on our industry is likely to intensify if, as has happened from time to time, the alternative asset management industry falls into disfavor in popular opinion or with state and federal legislators, as the result of negative publicity or otherwise.

 

On July 21, 2010, President Obama signed into law the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), which imposes significant new regulations on almost every aspect of the U.S. financial services industry, including aspects of our business. Among other things, the Dodd-Frank Act includes the following provisions, which could have an adverse impact on our ability to conduct our business:

 

 

 

 

 

Many of these provisions are subject to further rulemaking and to the discretion of regulatory bodies, such as the FSOC.

 

In June 2010, the SEC approved Rule 206(4)-5 under the Advisers Act regarding “pay to play” practices by investment advisers involving campaign contributions and other payments to government clients and elected officials able to exert influence on such clients. The rule prohibits investment advisers from providing advisory services for compensation to a government client for two years, subject to very limited exceptions, after the investment adviser, its senior executives or its personnel involved in soliciting investments from government entities make contributions to certain candidates and officials in position to influence the hiring of an investment adviser by such government client. Advisers are required to implement compliance policies designed, among other matters, to track contributions by certain of the adviser’s employees and engagement of third parties that solicit government entities and to keep certain records in order to enable the SEC to determine compliance with the rule. Any failure on our part to comply with the rule could expose us to significant penalties and reputational damage. In addition, there have been similar rules on a state-level regarding “pay to play” practices by investment advisers. For example, in May 2009, we reached resolution with the Office of the Attorney General of the State of New York (the “NYAG”) regarding its inquiry into the use of placement agents by various asset managers, including Carlyle, to solicit New York public pension funds for private equity and hedge fund investment commitments. We made a $20 million payment to New York State as part of this resolution in November 2009 and agreed to adopt the NYAG’s Code of Conduct.

 

In September 2010, California enacted legislation, which became effective in January 2011, requiring placement agents who solicit funds from the California state retirement systems, such as CalPERS and the California State Teachers’ Retirement System, to register as lobbyists. In addition to increased reporting requirements, the legislation prohibits placement agents from receiving contingent compensation for soliciting investments from California state retirement systems. New York City has enacted similar measures, which became effective on January 1, 2011, that require asset management firms and their employees that solicit investments from New York City’s five public pension systems to register as lobbyists. Like the California legislation, the New York City measures impose significant compliance obligations on registered lobbyists and their employers, including annual registration fees, periodic disclosure reports and internal recordkeeping, and also prohibit the acceptance of contingent fees. Moreover, other states or municipalities may consider

similar legislation as that enacted in California and New York City or adopt regulations or procedures with similar effect. These types of measures could materially and adversely impact our business.

 

It is impossible to determine the extent of the impact on us of the Dodd-Frank Act or any other new laws, regulations or initiatives that may be proposed or whether any of the proposals will become law. Any changes in the regulatory framework applicable to our business, including the changes described above, may impose additional costs on us, require the attention of our senior management or result in limitations on the manner in which we conduct our business. Moreover, as calls for additional regulation have increased, there may be a related increase in regulatory investigations of the trading and other investment activities of alternative asset management funds, including our funds. Compliance with any new laws or regulations could make compliance more difficult and expensive, affect the manner in which we conduct our business and adversely affect our profitability.

 

Recent regulatory changes in jurisdictions outside the United States could adversely affect our business.

 

Similar to the environment in the United States, the current environment in jurisdictions outside the United States in which we operate, in particular Europe, has become subject to further regulation. Governmental regulators and other authorities in Europe have proposed or implemented a number of initiatives and additional rules and regulations that could adversely affect our business.

 

In October 2010, the EU Council of Ministers adopted a directive to amend the revised Capital Requirements Directive (“CRD III”), which, among other things, requires European Union (“EU”) member states to introduce stricter control on remuneration of key employees and risk takers within specific credit institutions and investment firms. The Financial Services Authority (the “FSA”) has implemented CRD III by amending its remuneration code although the extent of the regulatory impact will differ depending on a firm’s size and the nature of its activities.

 

In addition, in November 2010, the European Parliament voted to approve the EU Directive on Alternative Investment Fund Managers (the “EU Directive”), which establishes a new EU regulatory regime for alternative investment fund managers, including private equity and hedge fund managers. The EU Directive generally applies to managers with a registered office in the EU (or managing an EU-based fund vehicle), as well as non-EU-based managers that market securities of alternative investment funds in the European Union. In general, the EU Directive will have a staged implementation over a period of years beginning in mid-2013 for EU-based managers (or EU-based funds) and no later than 2018 for non-EU-based managers marketing non-EU-based funds into the European Union. Compliance with the EU Directive will subject us to a number of additional requirements, including rules relating to the remuneration of certain personnel (principally adopting the provisions of CRD III referred to above), certain capital requirements for alternative investment fund managers, leverage oversight for each investment fund, liquidity management and retention of depositories for each investment fund. Compliance with the requirements of the EU Directive will impose additional compliance expense for us and could reduce our operating flexibility and fund raising opportunities.

 

In December 2011, China’s National Development and Reform Commission issued a new circular regulating the activities of private equity funds established in China. The circular includes new rules relating to the establishment, fundraising and investment scope of such funds; risk control mechanisms; basic responsibilities and duties of fund managers; information disclosure systems; and record filing. Compliance with these requirements may impose additional expense, affect the manner in which we conduct our business and adversely affect our profitability.

 

Our investment businesses are subject to the risk that similar measures might be introduced in other countries in which our funds currently have investments or plan to invest in the future, or that other legislative or regulatory measures that negatively affect their respective portfolio investments might be promulgated in any of the countries in which they invest. The reporting related to such

initiatives may divert the attention of our personnel and the management teams of our portfolio companies. Moreover, sensitive business information relating to us or our portfolio companies could be publicly released.

 

See “Risks Related to Our Business Operations — Our funds make investments in companies that are based outside of the United States, which may expose us to additional risks not typically associated with investments in companies that are based in the United States” and “Business — Regulatory and Compliance Matters” for more information.

 

We are subject to substantial litigation risks and may face significant liabilities and damage to our professional reputation as a result of litigation allegations and negative publicity.

 

The investment decisions we make in our asset management business and the activities of our investment professionals on behalf of portfolio companies of our carry funds may subject them and us to the risk of third-party litigation arising from investor dissatisfaction with the performance of those investment funds, the activities of our portfolio companies and a variety of other litigation claims and regulatory inquiries and actions. From time to time we and our portfolio companies have been and may be subject to regulatory actions and shareholder class action suits relating to transactions in which we have agreed to acquire public companies.

 

For example, on February 14, 2008, a private class action lawsuit challenging “club” bids and other alleged anti-competitive business practices was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. The complaint alleges, among other things, that certain private equity firms, including Carlyle, violated Section 1 of the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890 (the “Sherman Act”) by forming multi-sponsor consortiums for the purpose of bidding collectively in corporate buyout auctions in certain going private transactions, which the plaintiffs allege constitutes a “conspiracy in restraint of trade.” It is difficult to determine what impact, if any, this litigation (and any future related litigation), together with any increased governmental scrutiny or regulatory initiatives, will have on the private equity industry generally or on us and our funds specifically. As a result, the foregoing could have an adverse impact on us or otherwise impede our ability to effectively achieve our asset management objectives. See “Business — Legal Proceedings” for more information on this and other proceedings.

 

In addition, to the extent that investors in our investment funds suffer losses resulting from fraud, gross negligence, willful misconduct or other similar misconduct, investors may have remedies against us, our investment funds, our principals or our affiliates under the federal securities laws and/or state law. The general partners and investment advisers to our investment funds, including their directors, officers, other employees and affiliates, are generally indemnified with respect to their conduct in connection with the management of the business and affairs of our private equity funds. For example, we have agreed to indemnify directors and officers of Carlyle Capital Corporation Limited in connection with the matters involving that fund discussed under “Business — Legal Proceedings.” However, such indemnity generally does not extend to actions determined to have involved fraud, gross negligence, willful misconduct or other similar misconduct.

 

If any lawsuits were brought against us and resulted in a finding of substantial legal liability, the lawsuit could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition or cause significant reputational harm to us, which could materially impact our business. We depend to a large extent on our business relationships and our reputation for integrity and high-caliber professional services to attract and retain investors and to pursue investment opportunities for our funds. As a result, allegations of improper conduct by private litigants or

regulators, whether the ultimate outcome is favorable or unfavorable to us, as well as negative publicity and press speculation about us, our investment activities or the private equity industry in general, whether or not valid, may harm our reputation, which may be more damaging to our business than to other types of businesses.

 

In addition, with a workforce composed of many highly paid professionals, we face the risk of litigation relating to claims for compensation, which may, individually or in the aggregate, be significant in amount. The cost of settling any such claims could negatively impact our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

Employee misconduct could harm us by impairing our ability to attract and retain investors in our funds and subjecting us to significant legal liability and reputational harm. Fraud and other deceptive practices or other misconduct at our portfolio companies could harm performance.

 

There is a risk that our employees could engage in misconduct that adversely affects our business. Our ability to attract and retain investors and to pursue investment opportunities for our funds depends heavily upon the reputation of our professionals, especially our senior Carlyle professionals. We are subject to a number of obligations and standards arising from our asset management business and our authority over the assets managed by our asset management business. The violation of these obligations and standards by any of our employees would adversely affect our clients and us. Our business often requires that we deal with confidential matters of great significance to companies in which our funds may invest. If our employees were to use or disclose confidential information improperly, we could suffer serious harm to our reputation, financial position and current and future business relationships, as well as face potentially significant litigation. It is not always possible to detect or deter employee misconduct, and the extensive precautions we take to detect and prevent this activity may not be effective in all cases. If any of our employees were to engage in misconduct or were to be accused of such misconduct, whether or not substantiated, our business and our reputation could be adversely affected and a loss of investor confidence could result, which would adversely impact our ability to raise future funds.

 

We will also be adversely affected if there is misconduct by senior management of portfolio companies in which our funds invest. Such misconduct might undermine our due diligence efforts with respect to such companies and it might negatively affect the valuation of a fund’s investments.

 

In recent years, the U.S. Department of Justice (the “DOJ”) and the SEC have devoted greater resources to enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (the “FCPA”). In addition, the United Kingdom has recently significantly expanded the reach of its anti-bribery laws. While we have developed and implemented policies and procedures designed to ensure strict compliance by us and our personnel with the FCPA, such policies and procedures may not be effective in all instances to prevent violations. Any determination that we have violated the FCPA or other applicable anti-corruption laws could subject us to, among other things, civil and criminal penalties, material fines, profit disgorgement, injunctions on future conduct, securities litigation and a general loss of investor confidence, any one of which could adversely affect our business prospects, financial position or the market value of our common units.

 

Certain policies and procedures implemented to mitigate potential conflicts of interest and address certain regulatory requirements may reduce the synergies across our various businesses and inhibit our ability to maintain our collaborative culture.

 

We consider our “One Carlyle” philosophy and the ability of our professionals to communicate and collaborate across funds, industries and geographies one of our significant competitive strengths. As a result of the expansion of our platform into various lines of business in the alternative asset management industry we are currently, and as we continue to develop our managed account business and expand we will be, subject to a number of actual and potential conflicts of interest and subject to greater regulatory oversight than that to which we would

otherwise be subject if we had just one line of business. In addition, as we expand our platform, the allocation of investment opportunities among our investment funds may become more complex. In addressing these conflicts and regulatory requirements across our various businesses, we have and may continue to implement certain policies and procedures (for example, information barriers) that may reduce the positive synergies that we cultivate across these businesses through our “One Carlyle” approach. For example, although we maintain ultimate control over AlpInvest, AlpInvest’s historical management team (who are our employees) will continue to exercise independent investment authority without involvement by other Carlyle personnel. See “— Risks Related to Our Business Operations — Our Fund of Funds Solutions business is subject to additional risks.” In addition, we may come into possession of material non-public information with respect to issuers in which we may be considering making an investment. As a consequence, we may be precluded from providing such information or other ideas to our other businesses that benefit from such information.

 

Poor performance of our investment funds would cause a decline in our revenue, income and cash flow, may obligate us to repay carried interest previously paid to us, and could adversely affect our ability to raise capital for future investment funds.

 

In the event that any of our investment funds were to perform poorly, our revenue, income and cash flow could decline. In some of our funds, such as our hedge funds, a reduction in the value of our AUM in such funds could result in a reduction in management fees and incentive fees we earn. In other funds managed by us, such as our private equity funds, a reduction in the value of the portfolio investments held in such funds could result in a reduction in the carried interest we earn. Moreover, we could experience losses on our investments of our own capital as a result of poor investment performance by our investment funds. Furthermore, if, as a result of poor performance of later investments in a carry fund’s or fund of funds vehicle’s life, the fund does not achieve certain investment returns for the fund over its life, we will be obligated to repay the amount by which carried interest that was previously distributed to us exceeds the amount to which we are ultimately entitled. These repayment obligations may be related to amounts previously distributed to our senior Carlyle professionals prior to the completion of this offering, with respect to which our common unitholders did not receive any benefit. See “— We may need to pay “giveback” obligations if and when they are triggered under the governing agreements with our investors.”

 

Poor performance of our investment funds could make it more difficult for us to raise new capital. Investors in carry funds and fund of funds vehicles might decline to invest in future investment funds we raise and investors in hedge funds or other investment funds might withdraw their investments as a result of the poor performance of the investment funds in which they are invested. Investors and potential investors in our funds continually assess our investment funds’ performance, and our ability to raise capital for existing and future investment funds and avoid excessive redemption levels will depend on our investment funds’ continued satisfactory performance. Accordingly, poor fund performance may deter future investment in our funds and thereby decrease the capital invested in our funds and ultimately, our management fee income. Alternatively, in the face of poor fund performance, investors could demand lower fees or fee concessions for existing or future funds which would likewise decrease our revenue.

 

Our asset management business depends in large part on our ability to raise capital from third-party investors. If we are unable to raise capital from third-party investors, we would be unable to collect management fees or deploy their capital into investments and potentially collect transaction fees or carried interest, which would materially reduce our revenue and cash flow and adversely affect our financial condition.

 

Our ability to raise capital from third-party investors depends on a number of factors, including certain factors that are outside our control. Certain factors, such as the performance of the stock market,

the pace of distributions from our funds and from the funds of other asset managers or the asset allocation rules or regulations or investment policies to which such third-party investors are subject, could inhibit or restrict the ability of third-party investors to make investments in our investment funds. For example, during 2008 and 2009, many third-party investors that invest in alternative assets and have historically invested in our investment funds experienced significant volatility in valuations of their investment portfolios, including a significant decline in the value of their overall private equity, real assets, venture capital and hedge fund portfolios, which affected our ability to raise capital from them. Coupled with a lack of distributions from their existing private equity and real assets portfolios, many of these investors were left with disproportionately outsized remaining commitments to, and invested capital in, a number of investment funds, which significantly limited their ability to make new commitments to third-party managed investment funds such as those advised by us. Although economic conditions have improved and many investors have increased the amount of commitments they are making to alternative investment funds, there can be no assurance that this will continue. Moreover, as some existing investors cease or significantly curtail making commitments to alternative investment funds, we may need to identify and attract new investors in order to maintain or increase the size of our investment funds. There can be no assurances that we can find or secure commitments from those new investors. Our ability to raise new funds could similarly be hampered if the general appeal of private equity and alternative investments were to decline. An investment in a limited partner interest in a private equity fund is more illiquid and the returns on such investment may be more volatile than an investment in securities for which there is a more active and transparent market. Private equity and alternative investments could fall into disfavor as a result of concerns about liquidity and short-term performance. Such concerns could be exhibited, in particular, by public pension funds, which have historically been among the largest investors in alternative assets. Many public pensions are significantly underfunded and their funding problems have been exacerbated by the recent economic downturn. Concerns with liquidity could cause such public pension funds to reevaluate the appropriateness of alternative investments. In addition, the evolving preferences of our fund investors may necessitate that alternatives to the traditional investment fund structure, such as managed accounts, smaller funds and co-investment vehicles, become a larger part of our business going forward. This could increase our cost of raising capital at the scale we have historically achieved.

 

The failure to successfully raise capital commitments to new investment funds may also expose us to credit risk in respect of financing that we may provide such funds. When existing capital commitments to a new investment fund are insufficient to fund in full a new investment fund’s participation in a transaction, we may lend money to or borrow money from financial institutions on behalf of such investment funds to bridge this difference and repay this financing with capital from subsequent investors to the fund. Our inability to identify and secure capital commitments from new investors to these funds may expose us to losses (in the case of money that we lend directly to such funds) or adversely impact our ability to repay such borrowings or otherwise have an adverse impact on our liquidity position. Finally, if we seek to expand into other business lines, we may also be unable to raise a sufficient amount of capital to adequately support such businesses.

 

The failure of our investment funds to raise capital in sufficient amounts could result in a decrease in our AUM as well as management fee and transaction fee revenue, or could result in a decline in the rate of growth of our AUM and management fee and transaction fee revenue, any of which could have a material adverse impact on our revenues and financial condition. Our past experience with growth of AUM provides no assurance with respect to the future. For example, our next generation of large buyout and other funds could be smaller in overall size than our current large buyout and other funds. There can be no assurance that any of our business segments will continue to experience growth in AUM.

 

Some of our fund investors may have concerns about the prospect of our becoming a publicly traded company, including concerns that as a public company we will shift our focus from the interests of our fund investors to those of our common unitholders. Some of our fund investors may believe that we will strive for near-term profit instead of superior risk-adjusted returns for our fund investors over time or

grow our AUM for the purpose of generating additional management fees without regard to whether we believe there are sufficient investment opportunities to effectively deploy the additional capital. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in our efforts to address such concerns or to convince fund investors that our decision to pursue this offering will not affect our longstanding priorities or the way we conduct our business. A decision by a significant number of our fund investors not to commit additional capital to our funds or to cease doing business with us altogether could inhibit our ability to achieve our investment objectives and could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition.

 

Our investors in future funds may negotiate to pay us lower management fees and the economic terms of our future funds may be less favorable to us than those of our existing funds, which could adversely affect our revenues.

 

In connection with raising new funds or securing additional investments in existing funds, we negotiate terms for such funds and investments with existing and potential investors. The outcome of such negotiations could result in our agreement to terms that are materially less favorable to us than the terms of prior funds we have advised or funds advised by our competitors. Such terms could restrict our ability to raise investment funds with investment objectives or strategies that compete with existing funds, reduce fee revenues we earn, reduce the percentage of profits on third-party capital that we share in or add expenses and obligations for us in managing the fund or increase our potential liabilities, all of which could ultimately reduce our profitability. For instance, we have confronted and expect to continue to confront requests from a variety of investors and groups representing investors to increase the percentage of transaction fees we share with our investors (or to decline to receive any transaction fees from portfolio companies owned by our funds). To the extent we accommodate such requests, it would result in a decrease in the amount of fee revenue we earn. Moreover, certain institutional investors have publicly criticized certain fund fee and expense structures, including management fees. We have confronted and expect to continue to confront requests from a variety of investors and groups representing investors to decrease fees and to modify our carried interest and incentive fee structures, which could result in a reduction in or delay in the timing of receipt of the fees and carried interest and incentive fees we earn. Any modification of our existing fee or carry arrangements or the fee or carry structures for new investment funds could adversely affect our results of operations. See “— The alternative asset management business is intensely competitive.”

 

In addition, we believe that certain institutional investors, including sovereign wealth funds and public pension funds, could in the future demonstrate an increased preference for alternatives to the traditional investment fund structure, such as managed accounts, smaller funds and co-investment vehicles. There can be no assurance that such alternatives will be as efficient as the traditional investment fund structure, or as to the impact such a trend could have on the cost of our operations or profitability if we were to implement these alternative investment structures. Moreover, certain institutional investors are demonstrating a preference to in-source their own investment professionals and to make direct investments in alternative assets without the assistance of private equity advisers like us. Such institutional investors may become our competitors and could cease to be our clients.

 

Valuation methodologies for certain assets in our funds can involve subjective judgments, and the fair value of assets established pursuant to such methodologies may be incorrect, which could result in the misstatement of fund performance and accrued performance fees.

 

There are often no readily ascertainable market prices for a substantial majority of illiquid investments of our investment funds. We determine the fair value of the investments of each of our investment funds at least quarterly based on the fair value guidelines set forth by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. The fair value measurement accounting guidance establishes a hierarchal disclosure framework that ranks the observability of market inputs used in measuring financial instruments at fair value. The observability of inputs is impacted by a number of factors, including the type of financial instrument, the characteristics specific to the financial

instrument and the state of the marketplace, including the existence and transparency of transactions between market participants. Financial instruments with readily quoted prices, or for which fair value can be measured from quoted prices in active markets, generally will have a higher degree of market price observability and a lesser degree of judgment applied in determining fair value.

 

Investments for which market prices are not observable include private investments in the equity of operating companies or real estate properties. Fair values of such investments are determined by reference to projected net earnings, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”), the discounted cash flow method, comparable values in public market or private transactions, valuations for comparable companies and other measures which, in many cases, are unaudited at the time received. Valuations may be derived by reference to observable valuation measures for comparable companies or transactions (for example, multiplying a key performance metric of the investee company or asset, such as EBITDA, by a relevant valuation multiple observed in the range of comparable companies or transactions), adjusted by management for differences between the investment and the referenced comparables, and in some instances by reference to option pricing models or other similar models. In determining fair values of real estate investments, we also consider projected operating cash flows, sales of comparable assets, replacement costs and capitalization rates (“cap rates”) analysis. Additionally, where applicable, projected distributable cash flow through debt maturity will also be considered in support of the investment’s carrying value. The fair values of credit-oriented investments are generally determined on the basis of prices between market participants provided by reputable dealers or pricing services. Specifically, for investments in distressed debt and corporate loans and bonds, the fair values are generally determined by valuations of comparable investments. In some instances, other valuation techniques, including the discounted cash flow method, may be used to value illiquid investments.

 

The determination of fair value using these methodologies takes into consideration a range of factors including but not limited to the price at which the investment was acquired, the nature of the investment, local market conditions, trading values on public exchanges for comparable securities, current and projected operating performance and financing transactions subsequent to the acquisition of the investment. These valuation methodologies involve a significant degree of management judgment. For example, as to investments that we share with another sponsor, we may apply a different valuation methodology than the other sponsor does or derive a different value than the other sponsor has derived on the same investment, which could cause some investors to question our valuations.

 

Because there is significant uncertainty in the valuation of, or in the stability of the value of, illiquid investments, the fair values of such investments as reflected in an investment fund’s net asset value do not necessarily reflect the prices that would be obtained by us on behalf of the investment fund when such investments are realized. Realizations at values significantly lower than the values at which investments have been reflected in prior fund net asset values would result in reduced earnings or losses for the applicable fund, the loss of potential carried interest and incentive fees and in the case of our hedge funds, management fees. Changes in values attributed to investments from quarter to quarter may result in volatility in the net asset values and results of operations that we report from period to period. Also, a situation where asset values turn out to be materially different than values reflected in prior fund net asset values could cause investors to lose confidence in us, which could in turn result in difficulty in raising additional funds.

 

The historical returns attributable to our funds, including those presented in this prospectus, should not be considered as indicative of the future results of our funds or of our future results or of any returns expected on an investment in our common units.

 

We have presented in this prospectus information relating to the historical performance of our investment funds. The historical and potential future returns of the investment funds that we advise are not directly linked to returns on our common units. Therefore, any continued positive performance of the investment funds that we advise will not necessarily result in positive returns on

an investment in our common units. However, poor performance of the investment funds that we advise would cause a decline in our revenue from such investment funds, and could therefore have a negative effect on our performance, our ability to raise future funds and in all likelihood the returns on an investment in our common units.

 

Moreover, with respect to the historical returns of our investment funds:

 

 

 

In addition, future returns will be affected by the applicable risks described elsewhere in this prospectus, including risks related to the industries and businesses in which our funds may invest. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Segment Analysis — Fund Performance Metrics” for additional information.

 

Dependence on significant leverage in investments by our funds could adversely affect our ability to achieve attractive rates of return on those investments.

 

Many of our carry funds’ and fund of funds vehicles’ investments rely heavily on the use of leverage, and our ability to achieve attractive rates of return on investments will depend on our ability to access sufficient sources of indebtedness at attractive rates. For example, in many private equity investments, indebtedness may constitute and historically has constituted up to 70% or more of a portfolio company’s or real estate asset’s total debt and equity capitalization, including debt that may be incurred in connection with the investment. The absence of available sources of sufficient debt financing for extended periods of time could therefore materially and adversely affect our Corporate Private Equity and Real Assets businesses. In addition, an increase in either the general levels of interest rates or in the risk spread demanded by sources of indebtedness, such as the increase we experienced during 2009, would make it more expensive to finance those businesses’

investments. Increases in interest rates could also make it more difficult to locate and consummate private equity investments because other potential buyers, including operating companies acting as strategic buyers, may be able to bid for an asset at a higher price due to a lower overall cost of capital or their ability to benefit from a higher amount of cost savings following the acquisition of the asset. In addition, a portion of the indebtedness used to finance private equity investments often includes high-yield debt securities issued in the capital markets. Availability of capital from the high-yield debt markets is subject to significant volatility, and there may be times when we might not be able to access those markets at attractive rates, or at all, when completing an investment. Finally, the interest payments on the indebtedness used to finance our carry funds’ and fund of funds vehicles’ investments are generally deductible expenses for income tax purposes, subject to limitations under applicable tax law and policy. Any change in such tax law or policy to eliminate or substantially limit these income tax deductions, as has been discussed from time to time in various jurisdictions, would reduce the after-tax rates of return on the affected investments, which may have an adverse impact on our business and financial results. See “— Our funds make investments in companies that are based outside of the United States, which may expose us to additional risks not typically associated with investing in companies that are based in the United States.”

 

Investments in highly leveraged entities are also inherently more sensitive to declines in revenue, increases in expenses and interest rates and adverse economic, market and industry developments. The incurrence of a significant amount of indebtedness by an entity could, among other things:

 

 

As a result, the risk of loss associated with a leveraged entity is generally greater than for companies with comparatively less debt. For example, a number of investments consummated by private equity sponsors during 2005, 2006 and 2007 that utilized significant amounts of leverage subsequently experienced severe economic stress and, in certain cases, defaulted on their debt obligations due to a decrease in revenue and cash flow precipitated by the subsequent downturn during 2008 and 2009. Similarly, the leveraged nature of the investments of our Real Assets funds increases the risk that a decline in the fair value of the underlying real estate or tangible assets will result in their abandonment or foreclosure. For example, in 2009 and 2010, several investments of our real estate funds were foreclosed, resulting in aggregate write-offs of approximately $198 million in 2009 and $19 million in 2010.

When our private equity funds’ existing portfolio investments reach the point when debt incurred to finance those investments matures in significant amounts and must be either repaid or refinanced, those investments may materially suffer if they have not generated sufficient cash flow to repay maturing debt and there is insufficient capacity and availability in the financing markets to permit them to refinance maturing debt on satisfactory terms, or at all. If a limited availability of financing for such purposes were to persist for an extended period of time, when significant amounts of the debt incurred to finance our Corporate Private Equity and Real Assets funds’ existing portfolio investments came due, these funds could be materially and adversely affected.

 

Many of our Global Market Strategies funds may choose to use leverage as part of their respective investment programs and regularly borrow a substantial amount of their capital. The use of leverage poses a significant degree of risk and enhances the possibility of a significant loss in the value of the investment portfolio. A fund may borrow money from time to time to purchase or carry securities or may enter into derivative transactions (such as total return swaps) with counterparties that have embedded leverage. The interest expense and other costs incurred in connection with such borrowing may not be recovered by appreciation in the securities purchased or carried and will be lost, and the timing and magnitude of such losses may be accelerated or exacerbated, in the event of a decline in the market value of such securities. Gains realized with borrowed funds may cause the fund’s net asset value to increase at a faster rate than would be the case without borrowings. However, if investment results fail to cover the cost of borrowings, the fund’s net asset value could also decrease faster than if there had been no borrowings. Increases in interest rates could also decrease the value of fixed-rate debt investment that our investment funds make.

 

Any of the foregoing circumstances could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flow.

 

A decline in the pace or size of investments by our carry funds or fund of funds vehicles could result in our receiving less revenue from transaction fees.

 

The transaction fees that we earn are driven in part by the pace at which our funds make investments and the size of those investments. Any decline in that pace or the size of such investments could reduce our transaction fees and could make it more difficult for us to raise capital on our anticipated schedule. Many factors could cause such a decline in the pace of investment, including:

 

 

For example, the more limited financing options for large Corporate Private Equity and Real Assets investments resulting from the credit market dislocations in 2008 and 2009 reduced the pace and size of investments by our Corporate Private Equity and Real Assets funds.

 

In addition, we have confronted and expect to continue to confront requests from a variety of investors and groups representing investors to increase the percentage of transaction fees we share with our investors (or to decline to receive transaction fees from portfolio companies held by our funds). To the extent we accommodate such requests, it would result in a decrease in the amount of fee revenue we earn. See “— Our investors in future funds may negotiate to pay us lower management fees and the economic terms of our future funds may be less favorable to us than those of our existing funds, which could adversely affect our revenues.”

The alternative asset management business is intensely competitive.

 

The alternative asset management business is intensely competitive, with competition based on a variety of factors, including investment performance, business relationships, quality of service provided to investors, investor liquidity and willingness to invest, fund terms (including fees), brand recognition and business reputation. Our alternative asset management business competes with a number of private equity funds, specialized investment funds, hedge funds, corporate buyers, traditional asset managers, real estate development companies, commercial banks, investment banks and other financial institutions (as well as sovereign wealth funds). For instance, Carlyle and Riverstone have mutually decided not to pursue another jointly managed fund as co-sponsors. Accordingly, we expect that our future energy and renewable funds will compete with Riverstone, among other alternative asset managers, for investment opportunities and fund investors in the energy and renewable space. A number of factors serve to increase our competitive risks:

 

 

 

We may lose investment opportunities in the future if we do not match investment prices, structures and terms offered by our competitors. Alternatively, we may experience decreased rates of return and increased risks of loss if we match investment prices, structures and terms offered by our competitors. Moreover, if we are forced to compete with other alternative asset managers on the basis of price, we may not be able to maintain our current fund fee and carried interest terms. We have historically competed primarily on the performance of our funds, and not on the level of our fees or carried interest relative to those of our competitors. However, there is a risk that fees and carried interest in the alternative asset management industry will decline, without regard to the historical performance of a manager. Fee or carried interest income reductions on existing or future funds, without corresponding decreases in our cost structure, would adversely affect our revenues and profitability. See “— Our investors in future funds may negotiate to pay us lower management fees and the economic terms of our future funds may be less favorable to us than those of our existing funds, which could adversely affect our revenues.”

 

In addition, the attractiveness of our investment funds relative to investments in other investment products could decrease depending on economic conditions. This competitive pressure could adversely affect our ability to make successful investments and limit our ability to raise future investment funds, either of which would adversely impact our business, revenue, results of operations and cash flow. See “— Our investors in future funds may negotiate to pay us lower management fees and the economic terms of our future funds may be less favorable to us than those of our existing funds, which could adversely affect our revenues.”

 

The due diligence process that we undertake in connection with investments by our investment funds may not reveal all facts that may be relevant in connection with an investment.

 

Before making private equity and other investments, we conduct due diligence that we deem reasonable and appropriate based on the facts and circumstances applicable to each investment. The objective of the due diligence process is to identify attractive investment opportunities based on the facts and circumstances surrounding an investment and, in the case of private equity investments, prepare a framework that may be used from the date of an acquisition to drive operational achievement and value creation. When conducting due diligence, we may be required to evaluate important and complex business, financial, tax, accounting, environmental and legal issues. Outside consultants, legal advisors, accountants and investment banks may be involved in the due diligence process in varying degrees depending on the type of investment. Nevertheless, when conducting due diligence and making an assessment regarding an investment, we rely on the resources available to us, including information provided by the target of the investment and, in some circumstances, third-party investigations. The due diligence process may at times be subjective with respect to newly-organized companies for which only limited information is available. Accordingly, we cannot be certain that the due diligence investigation that we carry out with respect to any investment opportunity will reveal or highlight all relevant facts that may be necessary or helpful in evaluating such investment opportunity. Instances of fraud, accounting irregularities and other deceptive practices can be difficult to detect, and fraud and other deceptive practices can be widespread in certain jurisdictions. Several of our funds invest in emerging market countries that may not have established laws and regulations that are as stringent as in more developed nations, or where existing laws and regulations may not be consistently enforced. For example, our funds invest throughout China, Latin America and MENA, and we have recently hired investment professionals to facilitate investment in Sub-Saharan Africa. Due diligence on investment opportunities in these jurisdictions is frequently more complicated because consistent and uniform commercial practices in such locations may not have developed. Fraud, accounting irregularities and deceptive practices can be especially difficult to detect in such locations. For example, two Chinese companies in which we have minority investments have recently been made the subject of internal investigations in

connection with allegations of financial or accounting irregularities, and a purported class action has been brought against one of the Chinese companies and certain of its present and former officers and directors, including a Carlyle employee who is a former director of such entity. We do not have sufficient information at this time to give an assessment of the likely outcome of these matters or as to the ultimate impact these allegations, if true, may have on the value of our investments.

 

We cannot be certain that our due diligence investigations will result in investments being successful or that the actual financial performance of an investment will not fall short of the financial projections we used when evaluating that investment. Failure to identify risks associated with our investments could have a material adverse effect on our business.

 

Our funds invest in relatively high-risk, illiquid assets, and we may fail to realize any profits from these activities for a considerable period of time or lose some or all of our principal investments.

 

Many of our investment funds invest in securities that are not publicly traded. In many cases, our investment funds may be prohibited by contract or by applicable securities laws from selling such securities for a period of time. Our investment funds will not be able to sell these securities publicly unless their sale is registered under applicable securities laws, or unless an exemption from such registration is available. The ability of many of our investment funds, particularly our private equity funds, to dispose of investments is heavily dependent on the public equity markets. For example, the ability to realize any value from an investment may depend upon the ability to complete an initial public offering of the portfolio company in which such investment is held. Even if the securities are publicly traded, large holdings of securities can often be disposed of only over a substantial length of time, exposing the investment returns to risks of downward movement in market prices during the intended disposition period. Accordingly, under certain conditions, our investment funds may be forced to either sell securities at lower prices than they had expected to realize or defer, potentially for a considerable period of time, sales that they had planned to make. We have made and expect to continue to make significant principal investments in our current and future investment funds. Contributing capital to these investment funds is subject to significant risks, and we may lose some or all of the principal amount of our investments.

 

The investments of our private equity funds are subject to a number of inherent risks.

 

Our results are highly dependent on our continued ability to generate attractive returns from our investments. Investments made by our private equity funds involve a number of significant risks inherent to private equity investing, including the following:

 

 

 

Our real estate funds are subject to the risks inherent in the ownership and operation of real estate and the construction and development of real estate.

 

Investments in our real estate funds will be subject to the risks inherent in the ownership and operation of real estate and real estate-related businesses and assets. These risks include the following: