Southern Europe
Argos Soditic invests in Dimar
Private equity firm Argos Soditic has invested in food supplier Dimar.
Riva y Garcia launches healthcare start-up fund
Spanish fund manager Riva y Garcia and a Barcelona-based medical school have announced plans to establish a private equity vehicle dedicated to healthcare start-ups.
Mercapital puts Gasmedi on the block
Spanish private equity firm Mercapital has hired Goldman Sachs to manage a sales process for its portfolio company, Gasmedi.
Cinven looking to raise €5bn fund
Private equity firm Cinven is reported to have started fundraising for its fifth buyout fund, targeting €5bn.
Doughty Hanson prepares Avanza for sale
Doughty Hanson has hired investment bank JP Morgan to explore options for a possible exit from bus company Avanza.
Senior staff leave in further blow for Ibersuizas
Ibersuizas dealt itself a further blow yesterday afternoon by dismissing four of its company’s remaining executives.
Permira hands over Dinosol keys
Lenders who supported Permira’s buyout of Spanish food retailer Dinosol have become majority shareholders in the company in a debt-for-equity swap.
NEO Capital backs Obiká
NEO Capital has acquired 52% of mozzarella bar chain Obiká for an undisclosed amount.
Atlas Capital to invest €10-15m in Tino Gonzalez
Madrid-based Atlas Capital has invested €10-15m in Spanish footwear retailer Tino Gonzalez as part of a capital increase.
21 Investimenti said to be considering La Pittarello buyout
21 Investimenti is rumoured to be considering a buyout of Italian shoe chain La Pittarello.
Advent hires operating partner
Advent International has appointed Christopher Fraser to its operating partner programme.
Portugal edges closer to bail-out
Portugal’s efforts to avoid tapping eurozone bail-out funds may prove futile if the government’s austerity policies are rejected by opposition parties.
Artá Capital acquires 26% of Flex
Private equity fund manager Artá Capital has acquired a 26% stake in Spanish mattress firm Flex Equipos de Descanso through a capital increase.
Caixa Capital Risc leads i-Neumáticos round
Caixa Capital Risc, the private equity arm of La Caixa savings bank, has invested in Spanish tyre sales website i-Neumáticos.
Cabiedes & Partners invests in Zyncro
Spanish internet investor Cabiedes & Partners has participated in a €1.2m funding round for microblogging platform Zyncro.
Cabiedes unveils €25m angel fund
Cabiedes & Partners has announced a first close of its €25m angel fund, which will invest in internet start-ups in Spain.
Magenta invests €1.4m in El Gym
British private equity firm Magenta Partners has invested €1.4m in low cost fitness group El Gym.
ProA buys Ambuibérica in all-equity deal
Spanish private equity firm ProA Capital has acquired an 85% stake in ambulance company Grupo Ambuibérica as part of an all-equity deal.
CNPEF and Fondamenta sell 50% of Ares Line
Cape Natixis Private Equity Fund (CNPEF) and Fondamenta SGR have sold a 50% stake in Ares Line S.r.l. for approximately €5m equity.
Ernst & Young Spain hires ex-3i recruit
International accountancy firm Ernst & Young has hired Javier Alonso Solá as executive director of its corporate finance division in Spain.
IPW completes Altitude Software LBO
Spanish venture capital firm Investing Profit Wisely (IPW) has taken a 45% stake in Portuguese technology company Altitude Software as part of a management buyout.
Quantifying alpha
Alpha does indeed exist, and is strongest in private equity deals with active ownership; particularly when frequent interaction with - and even changing of - management is involved.
Diana and Axis exit GG
Diana Capital and Axis Participaciones have exited their stakes in Spain’s Grupo Guascor (GG), in a deal that values the diesel and gas engines supplier at €500m.
First Reserve signs off AED buyout
First Reserve Corporation has acquired a 45% stake in Ansaldo Energia, a major Italian producer of thermoelectric power plants, as part of a management buyout transaction.