Analysis/Regulation
Solvency II criticised for ‘inappropriate’ stress test
European regulators have come under fire for choosing an “inappropriate” way to measure the stress caused by private equity investments on insurance companies. Research from Partners Group suggests the regulator’s favoured method of calculating...
Solvency II: Doubts cast over private equity risk measures
The scramble for cash among GPs is set to heat up as they prepare for another reduction in capital allocations – this time from European insurers - as regulators work on plans forcing them to hold additional cash as a buffer against private equity risk....
Emergency Budget: Osborne hikes CGT to 28%
UK Chancellor George Osborne has announced a swathe of tax changes in his emergency Budget. With capital gains tax (CGT) up and corporation tax set to be cut, how will these and other changes affect private equity managers and their portfolio companies?...
German investment ordinance review - effects on private equity
German insurance companies constitute a significant class of German institutional investors in alternative investments, including private equity. After a period of stagnancy, the German Investment Ordinance on the Investment of Restricted Assets of Insurance...
AIFM: EVCA vows to fight on after ‘disappointing’ JURI vote
The European Venture Capital Association (EVCA) has vowed to fight on against the Alternative Investment Fund Managers (AIFM) Directive, which could prove disastrous for venture investors.
LPs make their move at ILPA meeting
The private equity world used to be run by GPs. There is now abundant evidence that this is no longer the case, as LPs are beginning to dictate terms. A meeting between buyout chiefs and their investors in New York today could lead to further change....
The UK's Green Investment Bank - not yet a done deal
A week ago, the UK government announced the pre-election budget plans for 2010, which included the idea of a Green Investment Bank (GIB). But despite these positive intentions and the backing of private investors, it is far from a done deal; even if it...
EVCA survey points to AIFM danger
While many had been nervously anticipating the decision on the AIFM directive today, it seems that everyone will have to wait a little longer, as the topic was taken off the agenda at the EU finance ministers' meeting, in what is seemingly a positive...
EVCA conference: clear and present danger ahead
The EVCA conference examines the state of private equity and highlights the threat posed by the AIFM directive. Emanuel Eftimiu reports from Geneva
Institutional investors raise the bar on climate change
The Copenhagen Climate Summit is widely considered a failure in terms of regulation, as no real consensus was reached. This is not to say, however, that all hope should be lost. By Francinia Protti-Alvarez
Q&A with Phillip Dubsky, partner at DLA Piper
Q&A with Phillip Dubsky, partner at DLA Piper Weiss-Tessbach
Capital gains: a taxing issue
As the upcoming budget nears, the private equity industry has much to fear as the potential rise in capital gains tax threatens to further stifle investment activity and drive investors out of the UK. Deborah Sterescu investigates…
California mis-places the agents
CalPERS, CalSTERS trickier to access – but for the wrong reasons, reports Kimberly Romaine
Fair value explained
Fair value is the market price of an asset if you were to sell to today. It was incorporated into the private equity industry by the European trade associations in 2005, to comply with the US GAAP. Yet, for illiquid private equity assets it remains a...
Revised Directive angers trade bodies
Another chapter has been added to the long-running saga of the EU Commission's AIFM Directive, with a new report calling for a removal of all fund size exemption thresholds sparking anger within the industry
European Parliament report slams AIFM Directive
A new report commissioned by the European Parliament has heaped heavy criticism on the AIFM Directive for being "hasty" and "weak". Ashley Wassall reports
On a code to nowhere
With banks coming down hard on portfolio companies breaching their covenants, the BVCA is trying to quell the situation by producing a code of conduct. Doubts abound that the code will have an effect, writes Deborah Sterescu
Divesting distress
A recent legal case has revealed a renewed focus by French courts on vendor liability post-sale, which has strong implications for private equity firms looking to divest troublesome assets. Ashley Wassall reports
A law of unintended consequences
Adam Levin, partner at international law firm Dechert LLP, discusses the potential implications of the EU Commission's proposed directive
Regulating away from trouble
Francinia Protti-Alvarez talks to Ad van den Ouweland of Robeco about LP/GP relationships and the role that responsible investment principles can play in private equity's future