U.S. private equity firms have broken last year's fundraising record with $263 billion raised in 364 private equity funds so far this year, according to industry newsletter Dow Jones Private Equity Analyst.

With the announcement of additional fund closures over the past week, the tally passed the $258 billion record set last year. Private equity includes buyout and corporate finance funds, venture capital funds, mezzanine funds and funds of funds.

"Despite a slow-down in buyout deal activity due to volatility in the credit markets, private equity fund managers continue to find investors eager to back their funds," said Jennifer Rossa, managing editor of Dow Jones Private Equity Analyst. "With the present momentum and a full seven weeks left in the year, we could well see fund-raising break the $300 billion mark for the first time."

Like last year, buyout and corporate finance funds are attracting the lion's share in 2007. Thus far, these types of fund account for about $203 billion, or roughly 77% of all capital raised this year.