Analysis
Bank stress tests: Private equity puts faith in finance
Despite much hype, the European Unionтs bank stress tests, published at the end of last week, were something of a non-event. With just a handful of banks failing the test, Europeтs banking institutions can perhaps be more confident in their business models...
Recruitment: Tough times poaching top talent
Private equity houses have, it seems, been on a recruitment spree hiring many junior professionals after a two-year lull, as they veer into deal making again and poach top-tier resources from banks. However, they may be in for bumpy ride as banks put...
Internet investments: Venture banking on social networks
Social networking has enjoyed a meteoric rise in recent years and the sectorтs biggest player, Facebook, is this week set to announce it has 500 million users. However, there remain doubts over whether social networking can be profitable, but this has...
Fundraising: GPs face uphill climb
The wheels of the industry are gradually grinding into motion, with some notable fundraisings in 2010 so far. With activity expected to pick up, what awaits the European GPs looking to refill their coffers later in 2010 or into 2011? Julian Longhurst...
Family offices staying true to private equity
The fundraising market in the past two years can be described as challenging at best with many LPs said to be looking at reducing their private equity allocations. Results of a recent survey that family offices are seeking greater exposure are therefore...
IPOs: Keeping afloat in 2010
Following a lull in private equityтbacked flotations over the past two years, 2010 is seeing some light at the end of the tunnel. While private equity assets are not exactly flooding the market, things are looking promising as Greg Gille finds out
ILPA Principles: broad-brush solution to a complex issue?
In a buyerтs market it is hardly surprising that there has been a real focus on re-aligning various terms & conditions of private equity funds to favour LP investors. But are attempts to drive and perhaps formalise this process wide of the mark? Julian...
Venture: Aggressive investing needed in recession
Venture capital was, like other forms of investment, hit hard by the recession, with both volume and value falling during 2009. John Bakie speaks to Intel Capitalтs president, Arvind Sodhani, who says innovation does not stop for a recession, and believes...
Solvency II: Doubts cast over private equity risk measures
The scramble for cash among GPs is set to heat up as they prepare for another reduction in capital allocations т this time from European insurers - as regulators work on plans forcing them to hold additional cash as a buffer against private equity risk....
Consolidation: Building for the future
The financial services industry has been abuzz with talk of consolidation in recent weeks, following news of Resolutionтs acquisition of AXAтs UK life business. While Clive Cowderyтs listed consolidation vehicle is slowly assembling some of the largest...
Life sciences: testing times ahead?
Pharmaceuticals and biotechnology have fared marginally better than other sectors during the global recession, but the last two years have still been lacklustre for private equity investments in life sciences. However, with a healthy number of deals already...
Corporates trump private equity in European M&A
Private equity buyers continue to lag behind corporate buyers in the size of mergers and acquisition (M&A) deals executed in Europe, as cash-rich corporate players flex their muscles to offer both capital and synergies in the space.
Buyout funds: The Alpha factor
Alpha plays a significant role in private equity buyout fund proceeds, accounting for almost a quarter of overall returns. John Bakie reports.
All-equity deals on the rise in 2010
The proportion of all-equity deals being executed by private equity players is on the rise once again, as the debt-underwriting markets continue to lag behind a revival in deal activity, forcing investors to fully back deals to meet vendor deadlines....
Tertiary buyouts: Passing it on
As deal making fever returns to the market, tertiary sales appear to be back in vogue for a number of private equity investors looking to put their secondary assets on the block.
Q&A: The long road to recovery
Emanuel Eftimiu talks to Dr Frank Thiäner, partner at P+P Pöllath + Partners about the state of the German private equity market.
Report: Nordic private equity is warming up
While buyout markets in the rest of Europe are only showing modest signs of stirring, activity levels in Europeтs most northerly region are picking up nicely, indicating that the two-year winter for local buyout investors may be giving way to spring....
UK mid-market: Going global
Competition for deals in the UK mid-market is hotting up as opportunities remain limited. Offering management teams the opportunity to grow their business internationally can make the difference to a bid as Emanuel Eftimiu finds out.
Investing in fashion: Trendy private equity
Private equity has a long history with the fashion sector, from venture funds focusing specifically on fashion, to high profile buyouts of high-street fashion brands. The sector has been very active in early 2010. John Bakie gives an overview of the trends...
Cross-border investments : Getting into the French market
The acquisition of French company FDG by Deutsche Beteiligungs (DBAG) is the first example in recent years of a German private equity house shopping across the Rhine. Whilst the country has historically been one of the largest buyout markets on the continent,...
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
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...
Private equity LPs flock to the Nordic region
The Nordic private equity model is becoming increasingly attractive, according to industry experts. Rikke Eckhoff reports from the unquoteт Nordic Private Equity Congress in Stockholm.
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,...