Market Insight
Buyout market could see worst year since 2009
Latest figures show Europe's buyout market has failed to recover from the market malaise of late 2011, brought on by the Eurozone crisis, particularly at the upper end of the market.
Buyout market could see worst year since 2009
Latest figures show Europe's buyout market has failed to recover from the market malaise of late 2011, brought on by the Eurozone crisis, particularly at the upper end of the market.
SBOs set to rebound
The recent quaternary buyout of French eyewear retailer Alain Afflelou by Lion Capital for an estimated €780m shows that the "pass-the-parcel" trend in private equity has not yet abated.
Nordics seen as investment safe haven
The €1.8bn sale of Ahlsell to CVC Capital Partners in February drew renewed attention to the thriving Nordic buyout market.
University and college spinouts make a timid rebound
The funding of Arvia, a spinout from the University of Manchester's School of Chemical Engineering, by MTI Partners for £3.8m is the latest of nine university spinouts noted since the year started.
Declining activity belies venture successes
Although European venture capital activity decreased by 12% to €974m last year, 2011 saw a number of sizeable fund closes as well strong exits, indicating fresh appetite for the asset class.
Europe's IPO comeback
Private equity-backed IPOs have had a rollercoaster ride in Europe over the last five years.
CEE's mid-market boom
CEE activity was subdued but with encouraging signs in 2011. Q1 saw just €1.7bn clocked up, but this was twice the sum of the whole of the previous year. Also, although activity in H2 was quiet, year-end figures nearly doubled to €2.6bn year-on-year.