Large-cap buyout
Cinven closes buyout fund on €5bn
Cinven has held a final close on its latest European buyout fund on €5bn.
E&Y: Corporates failing to look at PE as potential buyer
Only 3% of corporates surveyed by Ernst & Young for its latest Global Corporate Divestment Study believe private equity funds to be the most likely acquirer should they divest part of their business.
Apollo officially launches new $12bn fund
Global private equity house Apollo Global Management has started marketing its eighth buyout fund with a $12bn target, co-founder Josh Harris announced during a presentation at the Bank of America Merrill Lynch Banking and Financial Services conference...
French mid-market on the mend
At long last, activity in the French €100m+ buyout market showed signs of improvement in the second quarter. The Alain Afflelou and St Hubert transactions certainly helped: the former was acquired by Lion Capital in an €800m SBO in May, while Montagu...
AXA PE nears €1bn Fives deal
Charterhouse is set to sell French engineering company Fives to AXA Private Equity and the company's management, according to reports.
Apax leads $1bn Paradigm buyout
Apax Partners and JMI Equity have agreed to acquire oil & gas software vendor Paradigm from US investment group Fox Paine for around $1bn.
Lion Capital buys Alain Afflelou
Lion Capital has entered exclusive talks to acquire French eyewear retailer Alain Afflelou from Bridgepoint, Apax France and Altamir Amboise in a deal believed to be valued at nearly €800m.
Terra Firma buys Four Seasons for £825m
Terra Firma has acquired British elderly and specialist care provider Four Seasons for £825m.
Rumour roundup: what to expect in 2012
With 2012 just around the corner, the market is abuzz with rumours. Sonnie Ehrendal takes a look at what to expect in the coming year.
KKR buys CSG from Arle for $1.12bn
KKR has acquired safety equipment company Capital Safety Group (CSG) from Arle Capital Partners and Electra Partners, in a deal that values the business at $1.12bn.
Dearth of mega buyouts in Germany
While France, the UK, Sweden and Italy have completed multiple deals over the €1bn mark in 2011, Germany is lagging behind. Susannah Birkwood finds out why
The unquote” forecast: Buyout activity approaches 2008 levels
Propped up by a strong third quarter, European buyout activity should exceed the overall value invested in 2008 by the end of this year, but may fall short volume-wise. Greg Gille reports
Advent buys part of Oberthur for €1.15bn
Advent International has agreed to acquire the Card Systems and Identity divisions of French secure technologies specialist Oberthur for €1.15bn.
2011: The year of the mega buyout
While the increase in volume of European buyouts has been modest in 2011, the surge in value has been impressive. Viktor Lundvall investigates
Apax and Bridgepoint team up again on CEP buyout
Apax Partners and Bridgepoint Capital are teaming up to buy French mortgage insurance services company Compagnie Européenne de Prévoyance (CEP) from PAI Partners, according to media reports.
German buyouts: the giant stirs?
Despite encouraging macroeconomic signs and increasing buyout activity elsewhere, the level of deal completions in the German buyout market remains well below par. What chances are there of an up-tick in this giant market? Julian Longhurst investigates.
Private equity activity subdued despite industry optimism
European private equity remained subdued in early 2010 despite relative optimism over the economy, according to the unquote” Private Equity Barometer.
Terra Firma's EMI needs £120m or risks being taken by Citigroup
Terra-Firma backed EMI, the struggling music group, has failed to secure distribution deals with Sony and Universal, and as a result, could lose control of the business to its lender Citigroup if its current private equity owners refuse to take part in...
Terra Firma's EMI in talks to sell rights in Americas before critical deadline
Terra Firma's EMI is reportedly in talks with Universal Music and Sony Music about selling its distribution rights in the Americas for £200m, in a last-minute attempt to raise cash before a covenant test on its £3.2bn in loans.
Citigroup loses appeal to drop EMI suit
Citigroup has lost its appeal to dismiss Terra Firma's lawsuit, as US District Judge Jed Rakoff in Manhattan rejected the bank's argument that dispute should be held in a UK court.
EQT's Actavis still in the race for for ratiopharm
According to reports, EQT-backed Actavis is still left in the race for generic drugs group ratiopharm being sold by VEM Vermoegensverwaltung GmbH.
The only way is up: new poll reveals strong optimism for 2010
Most readers are optimistic for the year ahead - but cynics have good cause for concern. By Kimberly Romaine.