Research
Germany Report 2012
In the unquote" Germany Report 2012, we take a look at how macro-economic issues are hampering German investment activity, despite its robust domestic market.
Spread between leverage and all-equity deals widens on investor scepticism
All-equity deals are decreasing as a percentage of overall buyouts, indicating investors are adopting a "wait-and-see" approach to financing.
Fundraising research reveals optimism in tough times
Despite talk of apocalyptic investor behaviour, most GPs announcing a close this year reported existing LPs re-upping and even increasing ticket sizes, as revealed in an unquote" survey of more than 40 European GPs. Anneken Tappe reports
CEE picking up the pace
Dealflow in the CEE region picked up slightly in August, and the handful of deals closed so far in September hints at a busy Autumn ahead.
Mediq deal to boost 2012 P2P figures
The planned €775m takeover of Dutch pharma company Mediq by Advent could help boost public-to-private (P2P) activity figures, which have been on the wane since 2010.
2012 sees fewer state-backed funds
Fewer government-backed funds have been launched in 2012 than in previous crisis years, suggesting that either the market is picking up, or that even governments' aid efforts are failing.
Corporate spin-offs still few and far between
Primary transactions tend to be harder to source across the board nowadays, but corporate spin-offs have proved particularly elusive since 2009: while deals sourced from a trade player accounted for nearly a fifth of European buyout dealflow that year,...
Successful exits bring venture back into the game
Venture is bouncing back since its 2008 trough, and now sees over 50 exits per year in Europe. These exits are not just about quantity, but also quality, with some of Europe's best-loved VCs sharing the limelight with lesser known players.
European buyout dealflow picks up in July
European private equity dealflow remained stable in July, with an increase in buyout activity making up for lackluster growth capital and early-stage investments, resulting in a significant value uptick.
Healthcare investments wane after strong Q2
Investment in the healthcare industry is facing tough times as total deal value falls to its lowest level in 18 months.
Financials regain traction in summer
After a strong start in January, investments in financials slumped in both volume and value, following a bumpy path before gaining some more traction again in July.
Ahlsell deal boosts construction sector value total
The construction & materials sector has seen €1.9bn worth of private equity deals being completed since January, exceeding the overall amounts invested in other industrial sub-sectors.
European retail outshines rest of consumer sector in 2012
Retail has seen private equity transactions totalling €4.3bn since January 2012, outpacing the rest of the consumer goods and services sector.
Early-stage investments: German deal volume booms
While German early-stage activity has risen in volume in the first half of 2012, the UK holds its own with strong overall deal value.
Nordic Report 2012
Last year’s closings of EQT VI (€4.75bn) and HitecVision VI ($1.5bn) were not only the largest ever funds raised in their respective countries, but also signs of international interest in the region – both attracted significant global capital.
French mid-market on the mend
At long last, activity in the French €100m+ buyout market showed signs of improvement in the second quarter. The Alain Afflelou and St Hubert transactions certainly helped: the former was acquired by Lion Capital in an €800m SBO in May, while Montagu...
Nordics' role in European PE strengthens in H2 2011
The Nordics saw a strong first half of 2012, driven by a few large deals, pushing aggregate value from €3.4bn in H2 2011 to €5bn, showing the region's resilience to the eurozone crisis and its economic strength.
Spain continues to outperform Italy in deal volume
Despite the country's dire economic state, Spanish private equity activity has continued to outpace that of Italy continuously over the past 24 months - although the latter showed more resilience last year.
UK Watch: Smaller buyouts still growing
The UK’s smaller buyout space has gone from strength-to-strength in the second quarter of 2012, according to figures in the latest unquote” UK Watch, in association with Corbett Keeling.
SBOs remain resilient in Q2
The increase in larger deals witnessed in the second quarter corresponded with a relative resilience in secondary buyout activity across Europe, according to the latest unquote" Private Equity Barometer.
DACH buyout market outweighs neighbours in Q2
Buyouts in the German-speaking region have shown a significant gain in value from the first to the second quarter of 2012, enabling the region to top the regional aggregate value table.
unquote" Private Equity Barometer - Q2 2012
A three-quarter slide in the overall value of European private equity deals was halted in Q2, according to the latest unquote" Private Equity Barometer published in association with Arle Capital Partners.
Fundraising a chief concern for Nordic PE professionals
While the AIFM Directive was on everybody's agenda last year, fundraising is the main concern for most of the private equity practitioners polled in the latest unquote" Nordic Survey.
Nordic Survey 2012
The second edition of unquote's Nordic Survey, published in association with Delphi, paints a picture of optimism among local private equity professionals.