Analysis
Every cloud
When PPM Capital changed its name to Silverfleet Capital a few weeks ago it closed the door on one of the most protracted private equity spin-outs in recent years. By Nathan Williams
Performance measurement survey
Large buyout funds are statistically the place to be - but for how much longer? Nathan Williams investigates
Not mezz-ing around
Now that the door has firmly shut on cheap debt and new types of junior products, mezzanine has a way into capital structures again. But it still faces competition and challenges in today's market. Linn Ronning speaks to mezzanine specialists to find...
Q&A - Before the thaw
Stuart Hewer, new head of leveraged finance for Germany at RBS, admits that his pipeline is sluggish. But the worst of it is over and that a recovery should be expected in early 2009. Mareen Goebel reports
If you can't beat 'em join 'em
First they drove up prices, now theyтre poaching professionals. Western buyout houses are upping the intensity in CEE. By Kimberly Romaine
Changing times
Mid-market players have weathered the storm better than most but a post-CGT slowdown threatens to throw things into sharper relief
Silver Lining
When debt was cheap and abundant, ever larger deals were possible as there seemed no limit to what the industry could do. Now, however, many private equity houses are forced to adapt to a new paradigm - but there are also those to whom the new environment...
New sweetspot for LPs
Current market conditions are driving institutional investors away from mega-funds. But instead of leaving the asset altogether, LPs will suss out new fund managers to rendezvous with By Kimberly Romaine
Ready for restructure?
An economic slowdown and tightened liquidity are putting strain on portfolio companies. Private equity houses will need to initiate effective restructuring or see turnaround players and activist investors swoop for distressed assets, writes Nathan Williams...
Q & A
Norwegian LPs are showing increased appetite for private equity. They are looking to expand into new types of funds and geographies in today's market conditions
The best of times, the worst of times
Looking at the new state of the debt market
Survival of the fittest
Consolidation will continue as VCT firms without experience and scale get swallowed up, says Mark Wignall at Matrix Private Equity Partners
High stakes
Venture may be set for good times, but success will continue to be lumpy and enjoyed by a limited number of players
Public markets and private equity
Conditions in the public markets present an opportunity on the acquisition front but restrict exit options
Infra a shock
The liquidity bubble came to define the term infrastructure and gave a false picture of market depth. Private equity firmsт keen on snatching a piece of the infrastructure pie should be warned: there may not be enough to go around.
List-en to my fund
Listed funds suffered badly on the back of the liquidity crisis and negative press in 2007, with wide discounts the norm. Could investors be missing a trick or is there good reason to shy away?
Q & A - The legal view
Nine months on from the first signs of a credit crunch, Nicola Bock talks to a crack group of private equity lawyers to assess where the market now stands and how things have changed