What does "dry powder" refer to in private equity?

In the context of private equity, "dry powder" specifically refers to capital that has been raised by a private equity firm but has not yet been invested in any portfolio companies. This term is significant as it indicates the financial capacity a firm has to make new investments without needing to raise additional funds. Having a substantial amount of dry powder means that the firm is well-positioned to act quickly and take advantage of investment opportunities as they arise.

The other options don't accurately reflect the meaning of "dry powder." For instance, cash reserves for operational expenses pertain to the operational liquidity of a firm rather than investment capital. Profit generated from investments refers to the returns realized after deploying capital and wouldn't be considered dry powder, as that capital has already been invested. Capital returned to investors pertains to distributions made back to investors after investment exits and is not related to the concept of available capital for new acquisitions. Therefore, understanding "dry powder" as capital not yet deployed into investments encapsulates its essence perfectly within private equity practices.