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Marketing investments: Privately-owned publicity
There is an old saying that any publicity is good publicity. This may hold true, but with several private equity investments in publicity-focused firms this year, is publicity good business? John Bakie investigates
EVCA elects Fricke as chair
Uli Fricke has been elected chairwoman of the European Venture Capital Association (EVCA).
Private equity derivatives: Hedging your bets
Derivatives have come to be accepted as a way of life for many asset classes, including publicly traded equity. However, the emergence of the products in the private equity space has raised some eyebrows. Questions have been raised over whether they can...
Sale of Complinet provides exit for Canter Equity
Complinet, the global information and solutions provider has been sold to Thomson Reuters for an undisclosed sum.
Venture Capital: Corporates rev up their investments
US car giant General Motors has become the latest corporate to enter the venture fray, recently announcing it had established a $100m fund to invest in early-stage companies. Like traditional VC investors, this and other corporate funds will, no doubt,...
Italy: Bankruptcy Act improves private equity's position
Like other European nations, Italy has enacted a number of emergency measures to respond to the market crisis. This goes far beyond the тЌ24bn emergency budgetary measures: one particularly interesting addition by the Italian government is an attempt...
General Motors launches venture fund
General Motors has launched a $100m venture capital fund, targeting automotive-related technologies.
German industry: Getting the European economy working
Manufacturing is one of the most important sectors in the German economy, and the country's heavy industry base seems to be experiencing a revival as the global economy improves. As Europe's biggest manufacturer, the health of German industry is also...
Fundraising: Funds trickle into the market
A raft of funds have recently closed, but it may come as a surprise to discover they broke their initial targets in a tough fundraising environment. HitecVision, Phoenix and Polaris have all successfully raised the capital they needed to start their latest...
HitecVision Asset Solutions closes on $420m
HitecVision has closed its latest fund at $420, more than $100 over its original target after four months of fundraising.
LMS Capital joins LPEQ
LMS Capital Plc has joined the LPEQ group of European listed private equity companies.
Javier Echarri confirms EVCA departure
After 10 years as secretary general for the European Private Equity & Venture Capital Association, Javier Echarri is set to pass the torch by the end of the year.
Leverage: The return of warehoused debt
The $400m asset-backed warehouse facility used to back last week’s buyout of aircraft leasing company, Avolon, signalled a further thawing of the corporate loan market. However, it remains to be seen whether the revival will lead to a reversal of a recent...
Environmental investment: The many shades of green
Defining the environmental sector is not straightforward, as it overlaps with more ‘traditional’ sectors. The diversity of products and services that can be directly, or indirectly, categorised environmental technology goes well beyond the realm of environmental...
Spinouts: Private equity goes private
With the MBO of Barclays Private Equity from its listed parent bank Barclays underway, 2010 is likely to see at least one more spinout. This is the latest in a long line of private equity funds leaving their financial institutions to make their own way...
Private equity goes postal
Once again, British politicians are considering selling off some, or all, of the countryтs state postal service, Royal Mail. Private equity bidders have been linked to past attempts to buy the company, and may yet swoop on the opportunity. Despite continuing...
PE bidders in the running to acquire Priory Group
A number of private equity groups are believed to be in the running to pick up Royal Bank of Scotland's healthcare operator Priory Group.
Morgan Stanley's secondaries fund exceeds $500m target
Morgan Stanley's Global Secondary Opportunities Fund, has raised $585m, exceeding its $500m initial target.
AIFM Directive: The end is nigh
European finance ministers approved the Alternative Investment Fund Managersт (AIFM) Directive yesterday, more than a year after the controversial regulations were first proposed. Despite this long process, many of the private equity industryтs objections...
Matrix Partners in Huddle series-B funding
Huddle, the London-based online workspace provider, has raised a substantial round of series-B funding from Matrix Partners and existing backer, Eden Ventures.
Deutsche promotes Bagshaw to head of PE unit
Adam Bagshaw has reportedly been promoted to head of Deutsche Bank's private equity unit, replacing Rob Firth, who left the bank last month to join Bank of America Merrill Lynch.
Reporting: Getting a fair view on fair value
Estimating 'fair value' for portfolio companies has become more complex since the financial crisis, due to volatile financial markets and the lack of relevant comparable transactions. The term itself was only incorporated into the private equity industry...