Industry
Q4 Barometer: European deal value up 82%
Q4 Barometer
Hertfordshire County Council commits £280m to LGT
LGT Capital Partners has received a £280m mandate for its multi-alternatives offering from the British Hertfordshire County Council.
Private equity expected to bid for BayernLB Luxembourg unit
BayernLB (Bayerische Landesbank) is looking to sell its corporate and private banking unit in Luxembourg, according to reports.
Nordic private equity's 2012 highlights
Even the strong Nordic economies have struggled in 2012, as their key trading partners in the eurozone suffer under the weight of Greek and Spanish debt. Deal activity is down and Sweden's tax men are keen to take a cut of the private equity industry's...
Retail sector activity benefits from economic woes
The current economy has forced most retail businesses to rethink their strategy, leaving enough space for private equity firms to come in and get their share.
PE players beat the buy-and-build curse
Buy-and-build
PE firms eye French gas storage business TIGF
Two bidder groups including AXA Private Equity and CDC Infrastructure have emerged in the sale of Total's gas storage unit Transports Infrastructures Gaz France (TIGF), according to reports.
Turkish snack chain hopes to raise $500m through PE
Turkish snack chain Simit Sarayi has entered negotiations with US investor Colony Capital and Dubai's Abraaj Capital for the sale of a minority stake in the business, according to reports.
Benelux private equity's 2012 highlights
The Benelux region had a relatively quiet 2012 and little deal activity is expected until the broader European economy improves. However, the deal dearth was eclipsed by other events, including the clean-up of Belgium’s banking sector, the Dutch elections...
UK spin-offs are undersold – report
Corporate spin-offs could result in bargains for private equity buyers as many firms selling non-core units are focused on a speedy cash injection rather than long-term strategic objectives, according to research from Ernst & Young.
Germany quiets down in Q4
After a substantial increase in deal activity in Q3, the German private equity market grew quieter again towards the end of 2012.
Sponsored video: Bribery Act threat still looms
Bribery Act
KPMG survey highlights importance of management expertise in buyouts
A survey conducted by KPMG and Directorbank shows that businesses look for management expertise when selecting a private equity backer.
ABN Amro paid €20m compensation to AAC Capital
ABN Amro paid Dutch private equity firm AAC Capital €20m in compensation in 2011, after it could not honour a €2bn commitment to AAC's fund, according to local press reports.
Pension funds failing to stick up for private equity
Speaking up for PE
CVC and RBS sell $290m stake in Samsonite
CVC Capital Partners and the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) have sold a $290m stake in Hong Kong-listed luggage brand Samsonite International, according to reports.
Dunedin hits £240m for first close
Dunedin has held a stealth first close on £240m for its third buyout fund, indicating its target is comfortably within reach.
Axa PE to arrange unitranche for IPH buyout
PAI partners is believed to be looking to raise a €180m unitranche facility from Axa Private Equity to finance its buyout of industrial supplies distribution company IPH.
3i to offload more assets
3i is looking to sell at least four of its portfolio companies, according to reports, as it continues to refocus its strategy.
Ex-BVCA chair Nash becomes schools minister
Former British Venture Capital Association (BVCA) chair John Nash has been appointed schools minister.
ADM Capital et al. looking to exit Turkish hospital
An investor group including ADM Capital, Dutch pension fund PGGM and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) are looking to exit Turkish hospital chain Universal Saglik Yatirimlari, according to reports.
French private equity’s 2012 highlights
Last year is likely to be one to remember for French private equity practitioners – but not necessarily for the right reasons. Unquote” looks back on five significant developments that took place in 2012.
PPF Group regains control of private equity operation
CEE-focused financial services group PPF Group has acquired 27.5% of its own private equity funds business from Italian insurer Assicurazioni Generali.
Cinemas could be the big deal in 2013
While Terra Firma is considering getting out of the movie business, its private equity competitors could see some very attractive investment opportunities this year.