Articles by Anita Davis
New China Life places at bottom of pricing range in dual listing
New China Life Insurance, which is part-owned by several private equity firms, has priced at the bottom of its range to raise $1.9 billion in its dual Hong Kong and Shanghai listing, becoming the latest player to see disappointing results in Greater China....
Prudential, Woori in mix for Tong Yang stake - report
Trade players including US-based insurance major Prudential Financial and Korean financing services firm Woori Finance Holdings are reportedly considering bids for South Korea's Tong Yang Life Insurance, which is 60.7%-owned by Vogo Fund.
Shanghai announces initiatives to foster VC tech investment
Shanghai’s local government has unveiled a multi-tiered plan aimed at encouraging venture capital investment into early stage, locally based technology companies.
Jacob Ballas plans to invest $150m into India next year
Managing director of India-focused Jacob Ballas Capital, Srinivas Chidambaram, confirmed to media that the firm plans to invest $150 million into the Indian market within the next year.
Nine's creditors reject debt restructure plan
The creditors of Australian media group Nine Entertainment have rejected a proposal to restructure the company’s A$2.6 billion ($2.59 billion) of senior debt, potentially jamming Nine’s private equity owner, CVC Asia Pacific, with nearly $2 billion in...
Warburg becomes an investor in Haitong IPO
Warburg Pincus Private Equity has become a cornerstone investor in the IPO of Chinese brokerage Haitong Securities, buying $210 million worth of shares as part of a potential $1.7 billion raise by the company.
Gaming & Entertainment: PE places its bets?
Asia’s gaming culture – and casinos in particular - is a hotspot for growth. But with so much at stake, why aren’t more private equity investors placing their bets?
Michael Chae: Blackstone to focus on China, Southeast Asia in 2012
Senior Managing Director and Head of Private Equity of Blackstone in Asia Pacific Michael Chae said that China and Southeast Asia will be the firm’s investment focus in 2012, referencing the consumer growth that the geographies are expected to see next...
Warburg Pincus names new India co-heads
Warburg Pincus has elevated managing directors Niten Malhan and Vishal Mahadevia to the roles of co-heads of the firm's India business, assuming the responsibilities held by Managing Director Dalip Pathak, who founded the India office. Their appointments...
Permira named CDB's European PE partner
UK-based private equity firm Permira has entered into an agreement with CDB Capital, the investment arm of government-owned China Development Bank, to become the bank’s exclusive European private equity partner.
Blackstone's Rob Johnson resurfaces at J.P. Morgan
J.P. Morgan Asset Management has appointed former Blackstone MD Rob Johnson as its head of global business development for China real estate.
Bain-, TPG-backed Lilliput to raise capital
The promoter of Lilliput Kidswear and the company’s investors, Bain Capital and TPG, have reportedly agreed to raise up to INR5 billion ($97.4 million) through a private placement for the children's clothing retailer, signaling that the parties’ months’...
Corporates link for Malaysian resources fund
Malaysia-based Warrants Capital, a subsidiary of telecommunications firm Silver Ridge Holdings, is reportedly planning a $500 million private equity vehicle with Hong Kong-based partner Huatai Financial Holdings, called the Huatai Von Malaysia Fund, to...
Hedge funds buy more of Nine's senior debt - report
A group of hedge fund investors has reportedly purchased about A$130 million ($133 million) worth of senior debt in CVC Asia Pacific-owned Nine Entertainment from BNP Paribas and Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA).
Advent makes first close of Advent 6 fund
Australia and New Zealand-focused Advent Private Capital has held the first close of its Advent 6 fund, and has confirmed commitments of nearly A$100 million ($102.3 million).
Hana's board approves $3.5b KEB purchase
Hana Financial Group has approved a plan to acquire the 51% stake in Korea Exchange Bank (KEB) held by US buyout fund Lone Star for KRW3.92 trillion ($3.5 billion). Pending regulatory approval, the transaction could be completed by the year’s end, signaling...
PAG unit links with Aviva for Japanese real estate fund - report
Global insurance firm Aviva is reportedly set to launch a Japanese real estate investment fund with Secured Capital, the properties unit of PAG.
PEP raises bid for Spotless
Pacific Equity Partners has upped its takeover bid for Australian cleaning services firm Spotless to A$711 million ($727.7 million) from A$700 million, in an attempt at coaxing the company that has twice rejected its private equity suitors.
Update: Lone Star may sell KEB for 11% less
Lone Star is reportedly looking to sell its stake in Korea Exchange Bank (KEB) to Hana Financial Group at an 11% discount to its previously discussed price of KRW4.4 trillion ($3.8 billion). That price is a further reduction on the 7% discount reported...
Dragon Capital plans $250m new fund
Southeast Asian emerging markets-focused Dragon Capital is in the process of raising its newest vehicle, the Indochina Opportunities Fund, which will invest in companies based in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.
VIDEO: Tata Opportunities Fund's Mukund Rajan
PIPEs may be seen as a gray area for investors suspicious of the value-add private equity can provide to the asset class, but Mukund Rajan, managing director of the Tata Opportunities Fund, says PIPEs in India can make a difference – as long as they take...
Blackstone, Bain eye Yahoo bid
Blackstone and Bain Capital are reportedly nearing a bid to buy the whole of Yahoo that could value the company at more than $20 a share. Yahoo’s associates in China and Japan, Alibaba Group and Softbank Corp., may support the private equity consortium...
Fundraising of the Year – Baring Private Equity Asia
Global private equity majors including KKR, Bain Capital and TPG say that now is the time to raise Asian megafunds, but for Baring Private Equity, which closed its $2.4 billion fifth vehicle in just six months earlier this year, it’s good to get in early....
AVCJ Special Achievement Award – Philip Bilden
Philip Bilden, who launched HarbourVest’s Asia business 15 years ago and is now transitioning from the role of managing director to senior advisor, reflects on a fast-evolving industry