Iberian private equity: special report

Amy King
12 March 2013

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Enthusiasm for Iberian markets has returned lately, with some international investors in the audience of a recent industry conference citing Spain as the most attractive target for private equity. The government’s structural reforms have reassured GPs that growth will return and, for those investors brave enough to take a long-term view, that is enough to convince them to take the plunge.

Now is the time to back Spanish companies says Carlos Lavilla, president of Spain's industry association Ascri. For those GPs considering sectors of a cyclical nature, with a return to growth virtually assured, deals at the bottom of the economic cycle are there for the taking.

Counter-cyclical sectors such as telecommunications have proved resilient, attracting the biggest deals of 2012. Similarly in the VC space, several tech companies have succeeded in attracting the continued attention of international investors, securing initial investments and follow-on rounds.

But those less convinced of the opportunities in the local market have sought to harness the growth experienced on Latin American shores, taking advantage of longstanding ties with the continent.

Even the oft-forgotten Portuguese market has already shown an improvement on 2012, reeling in GPs with the export credentials of local firms, which have never experienced the domestic boom of their Spanish neighbours.

Iberia returns to the spotlight

Ascri president discusses renewed enthusiasm for the region

Blackstone appoints MD for Iberia

HIG completes first investment from Madrid office

EIF and Oquendo to launch €100m Iberia fund

Portugal back in the game

Portugal's export credentials lure GPs back

N+1 buys Probos from Explorer

Strengthening Latin American ties

Chilean financial institutions buy stake in Spanish FoF

Spanish GPs set their sights on Latin America

Telefónica launches €300m network of VC funds

Spanish telecommunications firms attract the big bucks