Research
Growth equity deals enjoy Q4 uptick
Growth capital investment activity recovered substantially in Q4 following a poor third quarter, but remains low compared to recent historical averages.
Mega-buyouts bolster Q4 activity figures
The €11.6bn overall enterprise value of Q4’s large-cap deals is the largest total since the third quarter of 2010, which itself was by some margin ahead of every quarter since Q3 2007 (see chart).
unquote" Private Equity Barometer - Q3 2012
Private equity dealflow has remained subdued over the three months to September, with the number of transactions completed plummeting 35% to 182 deals while the aggregated value dipped 14% to €11.7bn.
Retail sector activity benefits from economic woes
The current economy has forced most retail businesses to rethink their strategy, leaving enough space for private equity firms to come in and get their share.
Germany quiets down in Q4
After a substantial increase in deal activity in Q3, the German private equity market grew quieter again towards the end of 2012.
PE-backed IPOs few and far between in 2012
Moleskine might make headlines if and when it finally lists on the stock market later this year, but flotations remained a seldom-explored exit route for GPs in 2012, continuing a trend initiated in 2008.
Cinemas could be the big deal in 2013
While Terra Firma is considering getting out of the movie business, its private equity competitors could see some very attractive investment opportunities this year.
Research reveals negative outlook for Swedish PE
Almost two thirds of Swedish private equity professionals have a negative market outlook, according to the latest unquote” Sweden Private Equity Index, in association with KPMG.
European buyout dealflow falls 30% year-on-year
Despite a strong showing by the UK market, European buyout activity fell by almost a third volume-wise in 2012, according to unquote” data.
Frozen Nordic market
In just two years, Sweden has lost half of its deal volume, showing that even the popular Nordics are not immune from Europe's economic drag.
PE houses still hungry for food & drinks assets
Although most of the large food & drinks deals have seen private equity firms on the sell-side this year – including the recent sale of KP Snacks by PAI partners and Blackstone Group – unquote" has also noted a timid recovery for investments in this...
Italy is different
While the doom and gloom settles in the rest of Europe, Italian private equity professionals advertise a cautious optimism despite decreasing activity in the country.
Software and retail lead 2012 exit league
General retailers and software & computer services lead the exit rankings for 2012.
French deal volume at 14-year low
French investment volumes in 2012 are set to be the lowest seen in the country for over a decade, according to the latest figures from unquote” data.
UK mega-buyouts worth more than €10bn this year
In defiance of problems on the continent, the UK has seen a surge in mega-buyouts this year, topped off with the recent acquisition of Annington Homes for £3.2bn.
Volume of exits increases in October
After a slow September, exits picked up again last month, but overall volume seems lower as the year comes to an end.
The pitfalls of turnaround investing
Turnarounds are in the news once again, with the decision by specialist investor OpCapita to put struggling electricals retailer Comet into administration. Last week, Deloitte took over the administration of the business, and on Monday made over 300 staff...
Sweden continues to lead Nordics
Sweden outpaced its Scandinavian neighbours in the 12 months leading up to November. A SVCA study shows that industry optimism returned just in time for year-end.
UK lower mid-market resilient in 2012
While activity in the €50-250m segment has failed to improve on 2011 figures on a pan-European level, the UK is proving to be fertile ground for deal-making in an otherwise troubled macroeconomic environment.
Turkey rises to the challenge
Turkey is slowly but surely establishing itself as a prominent market for private equity in Central and Eastern Europe along with Russia and Poland.
SBOs back with a vengeance in Q3
Secondary buyouts (SBOs) climbed back to prominence in the third quarter of 2012. The number of such deals rose from 28 to 34 compared to Q2, making it the only buyout segment to record an increase in an otherwise faltering market.
Industrials and consumer see most volume in 2012 to date
The industrial and consumer sectors outperformed other major industries in terms of deal volume between January and September 2012.
Unquote” Regional Mid-Market Barometer
The latest unquote" Regional Mid-Market Barometer, produced in association with LDC, shows that mid-cap investors are not letting a lacklustre economy hamper their ability to close deals.
Secondaries and mezzanine vehicles proving popular in 2012
Looking at the funds launched so far this year in Europe shows sustained appetite for mezzanine and secondaries vehicles, reflecting current investment opportunities and subsequent LP interest for the private debt and secondaries markets.