(by Mark Riley)

Carlyle and Kohlberg Kravis Roberts unveiled information about the past 18 months’ pay-outs to their investors, accounting for the total of over $15 billion, which are the highest pay-outs ever.

The two companies announced the total of pay-outs within the past 18 months accounting for $15.6 billion. . "It’s the best 18 months we ever had. We made money and we made it fast," said Bill Conway, Carlyle founder and chief investment officer.

Carlyle reached the record highs in pay-outs as its share is $6.6 billion. It is a sign buy-out companies can fruitfully invest large amounts of capital, specialists say.

KKR showed stronger performance with its $9 billion claiming for the right to be the biggest private equity group with pay-outs.

Carlyle has already invested in 330 companies within some 20 years with equity cheques worth more than $11.1 billion for deals worth $37 billion.