Southern Europe
GLOBAL - Secondaries market set to grow as credit crunch squeezes returns
The private equity secondaries market could see strong growth in activity in 2008 in the wake of fears of underperformance in large buyout funds, with US private company exchange Nyppex estimating that total value could reach a record breaking USD 18bn...
SPAIN - Clave Mayor increases its stake in Gocco
Clave Mayor has increased its stake in children’s fashion brand Gocco to 25% in a EUR 3.3m expansion capital deal.
ITALY - Ambienta acquires 80% stake in Italiana Pellets
Ambienta Sgr has announced it will acquire an 80% stake in bio-fuel producer Italiana Pellets in a deal valued at EUR 5.4m, with the founder, Ercole Cacciami, retaining the balance of the equity. The investment, which was structured as a capital increase,...
ITALY - CAPE reaps 189% IRR from Samia divestment
Cape LIVE has divested chemical manufacturer Samia, reaping a 7.24x money multiple and a 189% IRR.
ITALY - Candover-backed Ferretti acquires Allied Richard Bertram Marine
Yacht business Ferretti, which is majority owned by Candover, has acquired US yacht broker Allied Richard Bertram Marine Group for an undisclosed sum.
ITALY - Cognetas invests EUR 25m in FullSIX
Cognetas has, alongside management, invested EUR 25m in listed hyper-marketing company FullSIX.
GLOBAL - Blackstone forms cleantech group
The Blackstone Group has formed a cleantech group, which will both make investments and advise Blackstone portfolio companies on renewable energy strategies.
SPAIN - ASCRI projects a 53% drop in Spanish investments
The Spanish private equity association, ASCRI, has projected a 53% drop in Spanish investments to between EUR 2bn and EUR 3bn from the EUR 4.7bn registered in 2007.
SPAIN - Debaeque-backed Oasyssoft opens office in Silicon Valley
Debaeque-backed software developer Oasyssoft has moved its headquarters from Barcelona to Silicon Valley, and increased staff numbers from 14 to 50.
A Pipe Dream Or Reality?
Andrew Carpenter and Mike Hinchliffe of Addleshaw Goddard on why PIPEs may make a lot of sense
GLOBAL - Syndicate eyes up Rio Tinto Alcan division
A private equity syndicate comprising Eurazeo, Apollo, AXA Private Equity, TPG and la Caisse des Dépots are considering an offer for mining company Rio Tinto Alcan’s aeronautics and automotive unit, Alcan Engineered Products, which could value the...
ITALY - Cape-backed TMQS acquires Meccanica Coatti for EUR 1.7m
Cape Natixis has provided additional funding through its Cape Natixis Private Equity fund to finance portfolio company TMQS Group's acquisition of steel company Meccanica Coatti, in a deal valued at EUR 1.7m.
ITALY - Intesa Sanpaolo close to completing EUR 1bn IMMIT sale
Market rumour suggests that Intesa Sanpaolo SpA is close to completing the sale of its real estate unit, IMMIT Immobili Italiani SpA, to Fimit Srg in a deal that would value the business at a shade under EUR 1bn.
ITALY - Cape Natixis acquires Amf in EUR 11m deal
Cape Natixis has acquired a 65% stake in fashion accessories company Amf in a deal valued at EUR 11m.
ITALY - Carlyle to acquire 48% stake in Moncler Group
The Carlyle Group has announced an agreement to acquire a 48% stake in Moncler SpA, the holding entity of sportswear producer Moncler Group.
SPAIN - GE & Landon in EUR 225m investment in Fotowatio
General Electric Energy Financial and Landon family office have invested EUR 225m in renewable energy producer Fotowatio.
ITALY - Kohlberg & Co exits Redaelli Tecna
US private equity firm Kohlberg & Company has sold steel cord manufacturer to Russian company Severstal-metiz Group.
WORLD - Blackstone opens Beijing office
The Blackstone Group will open a representative office in Beijing and has appointed Shan Fu, a former official with various economic bodies within the Chinese government, as its chief representative.
ITALY – Equinox acquires 65% in business air carrier
Equinox has acquired a 65% stake in executive air carrier Air Four; the remaining stake will be held by Area Infrastrutture e Crescita Srl and Nextair Srl.
SPAIN - Cross Road Biotech gets green light from CNMV
Cross Road Biotech has received the proper authorisations from the CNMV and has been formally registered as a private equity firm. The company is led by Enrique Castellón.
SPAIN - Doughty Hanson presents offer to Seur
According to reports Doughty Hanson has bid approximately EUR 1bn for a 52% stake in Spanish courier group Seur. Investment bank Arcano is handling the process.
SPAIN - Sabadell acquires 4.9% of Antena 3
BIDSA, the development capital arm of Banco Sabadell, has acquired a 4.9% stake in TV station Antena 3 from Grupo Rayet in a deal valued at EUR 84.8m.
SPAIN - Bullnet backs video game developer
Bullnet Capital has acquired Invertec’s stake in video game developer Digital Legends, also subscribing to a capital increase.