In a move aimed at calming jittery investors’ nerves, KKR Private Equity Investors (KPE) has issued a press release stating that it has no exposure to residential real estate, mortgage-backed securities or subprime mortgages.

On a normal day on Wall Street, such a press release would be highly unusual—normally they state what a firm is doing, not what it is not doing. However, given last week’s run on Bear Stearns and the surrounding market turmoil, it seems that even the sturdy ranks of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. are not above rumor and speculation.

"Over 90% of KPE's $5.8 billion portfolio is invested in the KKR private equity funds and other private equity investments,” said Kendra Decious, chief financial officer, of KKR Guernsey. “KPE does not have any risk from U.S. home loan assets."

The press release states that it was issued in response to inquiries directed to KPE from various investors.

KPE’s investment partnership has drawn in full on its senior secured credit facility in the amount of $1 billion, which is not due to be repaid until its maturity on June 11, 2012. KPE invests at least 75% of its assets in KKR's private equity investments, while up to 25% of its assets are invested opportunistically in other deals identified by KKR.