Investments
Region of optimism
Things are at long last looking up, according to Rikke Eckhoff, reporting from the SVCA's Nordic Private Equity Congress (NPEC) 2009 in Stockholm
Looking East
Rikke Eckhoff talks to Peter Laib, managing director of Adveq, about their tripolar investment thesis and the incestuous Nordic markets
Little big business
With the large buyout space pulling a virtual disappearing act, there is now room for the smaller sector to reign king. Deborah Sterescu looks at the status of the small-cap market and what its future holds
ITALY - Market remains strong despite downturn
Speaking at the unquote" Italia private equity congress, Mara Caverni of PricewaterhouseCoopers argued that the Italian private equity market remains in good health despite the big declines witnessed in the last year, emphasising that "activity has,...
EUROPE - "We're on our way to next boom"
Speakers at this morning's unquote" Italia Private Equity Congress in Milan stressed that deals done in the next few months will reap stellar returns, but warned that the downturn may in fact prove too short.
Distressed to impress
As the downturn continues to plague corporations and private equity firms worldwide, turnarounds are predicted to rise in the next year. Deborah Sterescu looks at what this means for the UK market
Private equity bounces back
A year after the Lehman Brothers collapse and things are looking up, as Q3 value totals are the highest they have been in a year
Bridging the gap between profits and responsibility
As the topic of social and sustainable investing becomes increasingly popular, Deborah Sterescu speaks to Michele Giddens, co-founder and executive director of Bridges Ventures, about the need to invest responsibly ..
Venture Travails
The Southern European venture industry lags behind the rest of Europe. More government/EU incentives to attract private funding may help, but in the meantime, the strongest companies seek private, international backing to succeed. Francinia Protti-Alvarez...
Green thumbs up
The cleantech space lost favour with all but the most specialised investors almost as quickly as it gained it. This is good news for those eager to secure deals: less competition and uncertain government support create a need for funding and a dearth...
Observing the rules of the game
Market conditions have turned up the heat on private equity-backed company directors; but it is not an obvious job to juggle. By Stef Oostvogels, senior partner - Oostvogels Pfister Feyten
Mid market valuations take the plunge
Francois Rowell speaks to Gilles Mougenot, president of Argos Soditic, about the results of the H1 2009 Argos Mid-Market index
Southern Europe: After the dawn
Over the past decade, Southern European private equity began to catch up with its Western European peer, but activity has contracted sharply in 2009. Emannuel Eftimiu looks at the region in numbers
Private Property
With take-privates dominating the Nordic buyout space this month, Rikke Eckhoff investigates timing issues, pricing and the pros and cons of de-listing
Standing firm
Rikke Eckhoff talks deal-doing, fundraising and responsible investment with Helen Steers, partner and head of European primary investments at global fund-of-funds Pantheon
EUROPE - PE up 107% in Q3
In the midst of renewed optimism over recovery prospects in the wider economy, private equity investment activity has continued to reverse the slump that had set in at the end of last year, recording a whopping 107% increase to EUR 9.6bn (257 deals) in...
UK venture: Catching on
Recent government support and stronger returns are helping the UK venture market catch up with its US counterpart, but there is farther to go. Deborah Sterescu looks at what is in store for the industry this year
Searching for distress
As we bear the brunt of the recession, more investors are looking to make money through distressed debt. Can private equity play along? Deborah Sterescu investigates
Good business
Though environmental, social, and governance-driven investing may be winning more advocates - highlighted by signataries to the UN's PRI - we may still be a way from systematic implementation of a responsible investment strategy that goes beyond a commercial...
FRANCE - Mid-market valuations drop further
According to Argos Soditic's H1 Mid-Market Index 2009, the valuations of unlisted mid-market companies in the euro zone have fallen for a fourth consecutive semester to its lowest level since the index was launched in December 2004.
Playing a long game
The current market requires patience and adaptability. Kimberly Romaine reports
EUROPE – Specialist or generalist ?
"We will see a shift from local generalist funds to global sector specialists," said Simon Havers, BVCA chairman and managing director of Baird Capital Partners Europe. He was speaking at this morning's Capital Creation panel, which debated the future...