KKR delays merger with European fund again; shares down 74%

Reports suggest that KKR has again delayed plans to merge with its Amsterdam-listed fund KKR Private Equity Investors (KPE). KKR has reportedly put off its plans until Aug 31 to continue its process of "evaluating the advisability of the transaction."

Having originally announced its intention to float in July 2007, KKR revised the plans in July 2008 and announced a deal that would see the firm first acquire KPE before listing the combined entity on the New York Stock Exchange. This was later delayed in November 2008, with the firm citing ongoing market volatility as a result of the economic downturn.

Shares of KPE have seen their value slide by 74% in the last year and are now trading at $3.75. KKR has marked down several of its investments recently, including German broadcaster ProSiebenSat.1 Media AG and chipmaker NXP Semiconductors.

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