Analysis
Investments in Asia: Eastern Promise
European nations may have deep historical ties with the Asia Pacific region, but their GPs, and to a lesser extent LPs, have largely been late entrants to the region. This may be changing, though, as Asian Venture Capital Journal’s managing editor Paul...
New compromise suggested on AIFM Directive
As Europeтs politicians return from the summer recess, negotiations over the final shape of the Alternative Investment Fund Managersт (AIFM) Directive have resumed. A revised compromise on the Directive, issued by the new Belgian presidency, will now...
Private equity dines on restaurants
Burger King, one of the worldтs biggest fast food brands, is set to become private equity owned yet again. The $4bn acquisition will be one of private equityтs biggest forays into the catering sector, but interest in restaurants has remained strong throughout...
Candover story: Media picture lacks clarity
The announcement by Candover Investments plc that it is abandoning new investments to focus on returning cash from the sale of its remaining portfolio assets has certainly grabbed many headlines in recent days. But is the mainstream press sensationalising...
Q&A: The evolution of due diligence
Due dilience can be a time consuming process, and seems to be taking longer since the crisis. Emanuel Eftimiu talks to Dr Joachim Scholz of Rothgordt & Cie about the increased emphasis on due diligence in the current environment.
Dealflow: Autumn boom expected after slow summer
As the summer holiday season draws to a close, Europeтs private equity market is set to pick up. While activity has slowed significantly in some regions, industry players are expecting a deal-doing boom in the coming weeks and months.
Exits: Private equity IPO prices fall
With a number of high-profile exits so far this year, selling companies has been a hot topic, particularly after the many difficulties of 2009. However, the IPO market has been difficult for private equity players, and new figures show just how tough...
Exits: Carving out value
With exit maximisation key in todayтs economically unstable times, a number of private equity funds have recently chosen to sell their assets in smaller chunks, in the hope of attracting more specialist buyers. John Bakie reports
Luxury brands: Private equity's leadership challenge
Towerbrookтs plan to sell Jimmy Choo this year for an estimated ТЃ500m, more than twice its value three years ago, highlights the significant benefits that can be reaped from investing in the luxury apparel sector. However, the deal also brings to the...
Banks seek to make hay while the sun shines
Looking around Europeтs buyout markets, it is clear that some banks are well and truly back in the game. But the recent rise in deal completions, including those at the top end of the scale, masks an altogether more complex marketplace. Julian Longhurst...
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....
Q&A: Funds-of-funds and direct investments
Emanuel Eftimiu speaks to Marc Brugger, managing director of fund-of-funds LFPE, about the pros and cons of direct investing and the difficulties facing private equity funds-of-funds in the current environment.
Solvency II criticised for 'inappropriate' stress test
European regulators have come under fire for choosing an тinappropriateт way to measure the stress caused by private equity investments on insurance companies. Research from Partners Group suggests the regulatorтs favoured method of calculating private...
Private equity haunted by pre-crisis deals
As AA and Saga are hitting the headlines once again, private equity it seems is being haunted by the ghosts of 2007тs exuberance. While the years preceding the financial crisis saw some of the largest private equity-backed deals of all time, many of these...
Growth capital: Quietly rising
As mega-buyouts slowly return to the scene, most media attention is focused on the high end of the market to see if it will maintain momentum. However, the biggest improvement for 2010 may well be a rather more low-key affair. Greg Gille reports on growth...
Stress tests open up Spanish bank opportunities
Recent banks stress tests have revealed private equity investment opportunities in Spain, with some of the countryтs largest banks seemingly ripe for picking.
The return of the mega-buyout
Mega-buyouts of over тЌ1bn are on their way back following a drought of activity during the global financial crisis, according to unquoteт research. Signs of life are starting to appear at the very top-end of private equity investing, but Europeтs buyout...
Smaller investors look to private equity ETFs
Investors seeking to gain exposure to the private equity asset class have increasingly been looking to use synthetic products. Interest has not only been from smaller investors in search of lower liquidity risks and entry barriers, but LPs sitting on...
Specialisation key for first-time funds
With relationship-based investing seeping into the markets, as risk averse LPs gravitate towards managers they have had previous relationships with, first-time funds have had to strengthen their people-pitch. A number may have found a way out of the dilemma,...
Nordic activity set to boom as summer ends
Following a strong increase in activity for the first half of 2010, the Nordic market is currently going through its seasonal summer lull. Viktor Lundvall takes a closer look at what to expect after the regionтs summer break.
Exits: Volumes fail to make major recovery
Recent months have seen what seems like a flurry of exit activity, with secondary buyouts and IPOs dominating the headlines. However, exit volumes have barely reached levels seen this time last year. John Bakie investigates.
Growth capital: plugging the funding gap
Following the publication of the Green Paper "Financing a private sector recovery" by the government last week, Emanuel Eftimiu looks at the proposal to find a financing solution for SMEs in the UK.
Emerging markets: Tapping into lucrative revenue streams
Emerging markets are increasingly becoming a source of high returns for private equity investors. With some not able to invest in companies domiciled in these regions because of their fund structure, some are looking to back companies in the developed...
Private equity munches on food sector
A recent string of deals and announcements show the food industry to be firmly back on the private equity investment agenda. Furthermore, the high valuations witnessed are in stark contrast with a recovering but still relatively modest buyout market....