Southern Europe
SPAIN - GE- and Landon-backed Fotowatio acquires MMA
GE- and Landon-backed solar power producer Fotowatio has acquired the core US solar power assets of San Francisco-based MMA Renewable Ventures, a wholly owned subsidiary of Municipal Mortgage & Equity.
EUROPE - Candover reveals full extent of downturn
Candover Investments Plc today announced its final year results for 2008, revealing a sharp aggregated writedown of more than 50% in NAV following five successive years of increases.
EUROPE - Baird bolsters business services team
Baird has strengthened its investment banking advisory business with the hire of Jonathan Harrison as a director within its European business services sector team.
Global cooling
Private equity activity right now is frozen, with very little new deal activity taking place. When asked, investors mention they are taking their time to analyse possible targets and see how business plans match up to constantly evolving trading conditions,...
UK/ITALY - Candover writes off Ferretti investment
Candover is opting out of the restructuring of portfolio company Ferretti, an Italian yacht manufacturer, completely writing off its investment in the business.
SICAR amendments are good news for GPs
In October 2008, Luxembourg's dedicated regime for private equity funds was updated. The possibility to create subfunds and the significant enhancement of the Luxembourg Limited Partnership are the two key innovations
EUROPE - Commission holds hearing on PE regulation
The EU Commission is today in Brussels holding its hearing into private equity regulation and conduct in Europe, in what should be a significant step towards a conclusion of the long running political debate. Prior to the conference, an industry "task...
SPAIN - Ibersuizas and Realza acquire Hofmann
Spanish private equity firms Ibersuizas and Realza Capital have acquired an 80% stake in photo album specialist Hofmann, with the balance being retained by the founding family and company head Vicente Fernandez.
GLOBAL - Lehman sells venture capital arm
Lehman Brothers has fully divested its US-based venture capital arm Lehman Brothers Venture Partners through a sale to the current management team, backed by HarbourVest Partners.
GLOBAL - GIC and Future Fund acquire 7.7% of Apax
Apax Partners has sold nearly 8% of it its management company and future carried interest to GIC Special Investments and Future Funds, two Asian-Pacific investors.