The fourth annual Buyout Track 100 league table supplement was published in The Sunday Times on 7 February 2010, with title sponsor Deloitte.

Over their latest two-year period, the companies increased their profits (EBITDA) an average of 57% a year from £567m to £1.3bn, created 25,500 jobs and now employ 86,500. However, operating profit margins were down for a third of the companies, and just 11 league table firms were involved in buyouts in 12 months preceeding publication, compared to 26 last year.

The league table features retail names such as Dreams, Poundland, and Jack Wills. The No 1 company is Investcorp-backed Moneybookers. The online payment provider achieved profit growth of 177% a year to £13.9m in 2008.

The Buyout Track '10 Biggest' ranks the ten private equity-owned companies with the fastest-growing profits above £50m. Merlin Entertainments, backed by Blackstone, topped the table for the third consecutive year.

See the press releases.

The 2011 Buyout Track 100 league table will be published on 6 February.