Research
Nordic market bolstered by strong exits
The majority of Nordic private equity practitioners surveyed by unquote" in association with Delphi predict returns of more than 15% for upcoming investments.
Dealflow: Tech more resilient than pharma
While overall activity declined gradually between Q1 2011 and Q2 2012 as macroeconomic conditions worsened, dealflow in the technology sector proved to be much more resilient than pharmaceuticals. This holds for both overall European and country-specific...
UK support services boom in Q1 2012
The support services sector performed well in Q1 of 2012, raising expectations of strong growth for the remainder of the year.
Europe-wide PE investment to fall below €45bn in 2012
Following a lacklustre start to 2012, Europe should see year-end buyout investment levels barely hit the €40bn mark – the first glitch in an otherwise steady recovery since 2010. Greg Gille reports
Big boost in Spring dealflow
Nordic activity rebounded sharply in May as nine deals worth an estimated €1.4bn were recorded: more than double the volume, and more than four times the value of the previous month.
French activity: Out of the trough?
Shored up by an uptick in mid-market buyout activity, French dealflow has shown encouraging signs of recovery in May. But subdued activity in the first months of 2012 and a lack of visibility on macro-economic trends should take their toll on year-end...
UK and Nordics outperforming rest of Europe
Research from unquote” data finds that the UK/Ireland has not only outperformed its continental European counterparts in Q1 of 2012, but it was also the only region to raise deal volume levels above those of 2011.
Southern Europe: Volume drops, value soars
Deal activity remained particularly subdued across Southern Europe in May, although the Rottapharm buyout in Italy sent overall value soaring.
France: acquisition finance off to good start in 2012
The overall value of French PE-backed acquisition finance deals completed in the first months of this year has already exceeded 2011 year-end figures. Recent research also highlights that French businesses remain hungry for build-up opportunities.
Are mezzanine funds making a comeback?
The launch of 123 Venture’s latest mezzanine fund, the €100m Trocadero Capital Transmission II, is the second mezz fund launch this year with CIC Mezzanine III. In parallel, the number of mezzanine funds reaching final close has declined from 6 in...
DACH investment leaps forward in May
Investment in the DACH region surged forward in May, with seven deals worth an estimated €580m, compared to 12 deals worth just €100m in April.
Good year ahead for the UK software and voice devices market?
Bridgepoint’s recent SBO of BigHand from LDC sheds some light on the large UK software and voice device markets. Though important in Europe, the UK software market has been in decline, with volumes falling from 90 deals in 2008 to just 39 last year.
Nordic credit remains more readily available
The Nordic countries have enjoyed a lower proportion of all-equity buyouts than the rest of Europe for several months now - highlighting easier access to leverage in the region.
Buyout market could see worst year since 2009
Latest figures show Europe's buyout market has failed to recover from the market malaise of late 2011, brought on by the Eurozone crisis, particularly at the upper end of the market.
Buyout market could see worst year since 2009
Latest figures show Europe's buyout market has failed to recover from the market malaise of late 2011, brought on by the Eurozone crisis, particularly at the upper end of the market.
Governments' contribution to VC up six-fold
Government agencies and corporates are increasingly active in venture – but they should push further in support of European VC, argues Olivier Marty
SBOs set to rebound
The recent quaternary buyout of French eyewear retailer Alain Afflelou by Lion Capital for an estimated €780m shows that the "pass-the-parcel" trend in private equity has not yet abated.
Nordics seen as investment safe haven
The €1.8bn sale of Ahlsell to CVC Capital Partners in February drew renewed attention to the thriving Nordic buyout market.
Nordic sentiment: have your say
The Nordic private equity market has hit a few bumps in its road to recovery, with taxation issues overshadowing the region’s otherwise impressive growth.
University and college spinouts make a timid rebound
The funding of Arvia, a spinout from the University of Manchester's School of Chemical Engineering, by MTI Partners for £3.8m is the latest of nine university spinouts noted since the year started.
Declining activity belies venture successes
Although European venture capital activity decreased by 12% to €974m last year, 2011 saw a number of sizeable fund closes as well strong exits, indicating fresh appetite for the asset class.
Europe's IPO comeback
Private equity-backed IPOs have had a rollercoaster ride in Europe over the last five years.
CEE's mid-market boom
CEE activity was subdued but with encouraging signs in 2011. Q1 saw just €1.7bn clocked up, but this was twice the sum of the whole of the previous year. Also, although activity in H2 was quiet, year-end figures nearly doubled to €2.6bn year-on-year.
Have your say: unquote” Watch
With the Chancellor’s latest Budget rapidly approaching, is the UK government doing enough to support investment? Is the industry facing significant refinancing issues over the next two years?