Industry
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 “one-stop shops” 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.
Tech investments continue to fall
Since its most recent peak in 2008, the volume of pure tech investments has continued to decrease across Europe, leaving the support services sector to take over as the most popular investment area. Anneken Tappe reports
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?
France’s 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.
French mid-cap: AtriA merges with Naxicap
Troubled French mid-cap GP AtriA Capital Partenaires has merged with counterpart Naxicap.
EU proposes venture capital-friendly fundraising rules
New EU Action Plan proposes to increase funding of SMEs with the help of venture capital funds.
Growth funding: is it all downhill from here?
Expansion and early-stage deal numbers declined steadily in Q3 2011, leaving the industry expecting a grim final quarter of the year. Anneken Tappe reports
LP/GP relations: Communication breakdown?
Both GPs and LPs agree that good communication is a key factor in fundraising – yet both sides seem to overrate their own efforts, according to a recent Acanthus survey. Greg Gille reports
Private equity outperforms public markets, says Montana study
A meta-study by Montana Capital shows that private equity investments generally outperform equivalent public market investments by 3-5%.