Mid-market buyout
Buyout market could see worst year since 2009
Latest figures show Europe's buyout market has failed to recover from the market malaise of late 2011, brought on by the Eurozone crisis, particularly at the upper end of the market.
Buyout market could see worst year since 2009
Latest figures show Europe’s buyout market has failed to recover from the market malaise of late 2011, brought on by the Eurozone crisis, particularly at the upper end of the market.
Sagard buys Stokomani from Advent
Sagard Private Equity has acquired French discount wholesaler Stokomani from Advent International, a transaction valued at €200-210m.
Wise and J Hirsch buy Alpitour from Exor
Wise SGR and J Hirsch & Co have acquired a 54% stake in Italian tourism company Alpitour from Exor – which will retain 10% of the company – in a deal that gives the business a €225m enterprise value.
French asset manager launches PE unit
Meeschaert Capital Partners, focusing on growth capital and small- and mid-cap buyouts, has been established by French asset management group Meeschaert Gestion Privée.
French mid-market continues steady climb
French mid-market buyouts staged a startling recovery last year, confirming that the 2010 uptick wasn’t a fluke – but can they keep climbing back to historical levels in the face of a tough environment? Greg Gille reports
Mid-cap valuations still stuck on pre-crisis levels
Activity nosedived in the second half of 2011, but the flight-to-quality phenomenon translated to very little movement on the entry multiples front. Greg Gille reports
Sector specialists: The new industry darlings?
Sector specialisation increasingly appears as an attractive way to stand out in a tough market. But can generalists successfully make the transition – and will it necessarily win over LPs? Greg Gille investigates
AtriA spinout a precursor for 2012?
Edouard Thomazeau and Thibaut de Chassey - two former partners at French GP AtriA Capital Partenaires - have launched a new mid-cap firm. De Chassey talks to Greg Gille about the firm’s strategy and its experience of a tough fundraising market.
LPs: Crisis overstated – mid-market offers best prospects
LPs hold out high hopes for Europeтs mid-market. However GPs must strategize carefully. Kimberly Romaine reports from Budapest.
Pemberton Capital launches first fund
Pemberton Capital has announced the launch of its maiden fund, Pemberton European Services Fund I, with a €500m target.
Mid-cap valuations back to pre-crisis levels
The mini-boom witnessed in the first half of this year was largely driven by a rush to put money to work – but it has left its mark on valuations, with PE paying more than corporates for assets. Greg Gille reports
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
UK mid-market recovery stalls
Following strong signs of recovery in 2010, the UK mid-market had stalled this year, according to the latest unquoteт Regional Mid-Market Barometer, in association with LDC.
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
Mid-market up a third year-on-year
Amid a modest overall recovery for European buyouts, the mid-market space has so far performed strongly in 2011. Greg Gille investigates
Apax France VIII closes on €700m
Apax France has closed its latest mid-cap fund on €700m.
Q&A: Montefiore's Eric Bismuth on the French mid-market
Strategies, opportunities, fundraising... Eric Bismuth, president of mid-cap buyout house Montefiore Investment, talks to Greg Gille about the state of the French mid-market.
Chequers Capital closes fund XVI on €850m
French mid-market GP Chequers Capital has announced the final close of its latest fund on a €850m hard cap.
Mid-market buyouts: Valuations taking off?
According to the recently released Argos Mid-Market Index, the median EBITDA multiple paid in private equity buyouts increased in the second half of 2010. Greg Gille takes a look at the factors driving prices up.
UK mid-market recovers but caution at year-end
UK mid-market activity made a significant recovery in 2010, though a dip at year-end suggests investors are still cautious over the state of the economy, according to the latest unquoteт regional mid-market barometer.
Mid-market: The next big thing?
Even though big buyouts have staged a spectacular comeback in 2010, mid-market transactions are widely expected to be at the forefront of dealflow and value creation going forward т but strong headwinds could make for a rough, if ultimately rewarding,...
Riverside closes latest fund on €420m
The Riverside Company has closed its Riverside Europe Fund IV on тЌ420m.
Alpha acquires Françoise Saget Linvosges from Activa Capital
Alpha Associés Conseil has bought French mail order company Françoise Saget Linvosges (FSL) from Activa Capital, for an undisclosed amount.