Industry
Gala Capital cornerstone investors pull out
Cornerstone investors in Spanish private equity firm Gala Capital have pulled out of further commitments, according to reports in the Spanish press.
Fragmented ecosystem hampering European venture
The debate surrounding the high returns enjoyed by Silicon Valley investors compared to their European counterparts continues. But why do stateside investments traditionally reap higher returns than those in European startups, and what needs to change...
Dow Schofield Watts opens Leeds office
Corporate finance advisers Dow Schofield Watts have opened a Leeds office, to be headed up by Roger Esler.
Could high-yield bonds tackle the refinancing wall?
The wall of refinancing, the burden of LBO debt set to mature in the next two years, is uncomfortably close, leaving the private equity industry to come up with a new structured product to preserve the credit line. But as the industry looks towards the...
Introducing unquote" analysis
In the next few days a new magazine with a familiar logo will be landing on the desks of private equity professionals across Europe, unquote” analysis.
Pinsent Masons and McGrigors set to merge
International law firm Pinsent Masons and UK firm McGrigors have agreed to merge, while keeping the trade name Pinsent Masons.
French presidential election spells bad news for PE industry
The regulatory landscape is getting tougher across Europe for private equity - but French players might have more to worry about than most, as presidential candidates unveil measures that could affect the industry. Greg Gille reports
Accel to set returns record with 700x Facebook multiple
With Facebook finally filing its IPO, the world of venture capital is about to see a new returns record, with Accel Partners expected to reap a vast money multiple on its $12.7m investment.
Swedish parliament debates limiting PE investments
The role of private equity ownership in the welfare sector has sparked debate in the Swedish parliament, with the opposition party calling for tougher rules on the industry.
FSA criticises MiFID revision
The Financial Services Authority has remarked that the current draft of the MiFID could be harmful to AIFs.
Duke Street shelves €850m fundraising plans
Mid-cap GP Duke Street has abandoned plans to raise a €850m vehicle, instead turning to a deal-by-deal fundraising model.
LP caution hits life science investments
Universities can be a safe environment to raise funds and develop ideas. But it looks like university clusters are losing their pull factors in the eye of diminishing returns to investors. Anneken Tappe investigates
AIFMD timetable too short, says FSA
The risk of disproportionate regulation and a lack of implementation time for the AIFMD have been highlighted by the FSA in its latest discussion paper. Anneken Tappe reports
Jersey launches private placement scheme
Jersey has introduced a private placement scheme for institutional and professional investors.
Debt providers: "One-stop shops" gaining ground
Faced with a tough bank lending environment, PE houses are increasingly turning to тone-stop shopsт to leverage their deals. Indeed, alternative debt providers are looking forward to a busy 2012, as Greg Gille finds out.
AIFMD moves EQT funds onshore
EQT has announced that it will domicile its next fund within the EU.
Miliband calls for tougher takeover code
Labour leader Ed Miliband has pressed for stricter takeover rules in the UK, threatening the flexibility of investment strategies.
EU to boost Social Entrepreneurship Funds
The European Commission has proposed an initiative to stimulate and stabilise investments in social businesses across the EU, in order to drive sustainable economic growth. Anneken Tappe reports
Revision of pension funds directive threatens PE industry
Proposed changes to the regulatory requirements of European pension funds could lead to a loss of more than a third of investments in funds, leaving the private equity industry wary. Anneken Tappe reports
French LBOs: foreign buyers beware?
Franceтs latest Loi de Finances (the national budget voted in parliament) introduces stricter rules regarding fiscal integration and the tax deductibility mechanism on financial charges. This could spell bad news for foreign LBO funds looking to acquire...
Italian sentiment: fundraising, leverage largest challenges
A recovery for the Italian market is not expected until 2013 at the earliest, according to a recent poll - but the backdrop brings with it fresh prospects.
SVG to broaden PE investments
SVG Capital has announced plans to change its investment strategy and diversify its private equity commitments.
Leverage in 2012: liquidity still a concern
The latter months of 2011 have been characterised by diminishing liquidity and a great deal of volatility in financial markets, and it is these two interplaying factors that will perform the most significant role in shaping the year to come.
Swiss VC firm CEO arrested
The CEO of Zürich-based venture capital firm Core Capital Partners, Martin Gloor, has been arrested according to local media reports.