Investments
Indonesia webinar: Turning hype into returns
Indonesia has emerged as the next big thing in Asian PE, but there are concerns about rising valuations and whether the market is deep enough to meet expectations. Industry participants share their views
On rocky ground: PE's Mongolia risk factor
Rich in mining resources, Mongolia has a bright economic future, but vulnerability to commodity price shocks and an uncertain political climate have made many investors wary of taking the risk
Mekong trims Mobile World stake, looks to IPO
Is Mobile World the next Masan Consumer Corp? The as yet unnamed private equity firm that picked up part of Mekong Capital’s stake in the Vietnamese mobile phone retailer is certainly hoping so.
Leopard backs cross-border kenaf play
When kenaf, an Asian plant known for its short growing cycle, high protein content and strong fibers, was put to practical use, the locals made ropes. Today, its applications are expanding to encompass a wide variety of industries.
CVC, RBS complete Samsonite exit
CVC Capital Partners and Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) have completed their exit from Hong Kong-listed Samsonite International through a $528 million share sale. The two investors previously made several partial exits from the luggage company since taking...
Standard Chartered exits Shangri-La Malaysia stake to Robert Kuok
Standard Chartered Private Equity (SCPE) has sold its 22.2% stake in Shangri-La Hotels Malaysia to Robert Kuok, allowing the Malaysia tycoon to increase his holding in the company to nearly 75%.
KKR sees 5x return on Japan's Intelligence Holdings - Update
KKR will sell Japanese recruitment services provider Intelligence Holdings to Temp Holdings for JPY68 billion ($721 million), including debt. The PE firm's equity exit is worth JPY51 billion ($537 million), putting it on course for a more than 5x money...
Malaysia's EPF eyes more PE opportunities
Malaysia’s Employees Provident Fund (EPF) plans to increase its private equity commitments in 2013, with a particular interest in regional co-investment opportunities.
China distress-focused GP Shoreline raises $303m for Fund II
Shoreline Capital, a China-focused special situations investor, has closed its second fund at $303 million. It comes after distress-focused investors in Asia raised a cumulative $2.4 billion in 2012, the highest level seen in six years.
Baring PE Asia abandons Ambow Education take-private
Baring Private Equity Asia (BPEA) has abandoned its $108 million take-private bid for Chinese education provider Ambow Education Holding, citing the resignation of four of the New York-listed company’s independent directors and its auditors in the 10...
FountainVest wins approval for China jewelry take-private
A consortium comprising FountainVest Partners and the chairman and CEO of NASDAQ-listed jeweler LJ International has won board approval to take the company private in a deal worth about $64 million. It is the seventh PE-backed privatization of US-listed...
Carlyle exits Japan's Broadleaf through IPO
The Carlyle Group has exited its majority stake in Japanese software company Broadleaf though an IPO on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
Billabong says buyout talks continue, despite share slump
Embattled Australian surfwear manufacturer Billabong International has said that talks continue with two prospective buyers, seeking to reassure the market after the company’s stock price plunged to a record low on Thursday.
CVC-backed Matahari prices offering near top of revised range
CVC Capital Partners and its local partner have priced their Matahari Department Store offering at IDR10,850 ($1.11) per share, putting them on course to raise about $1.3 billion through a partial exit.
Electric Sheep Capital, DMP invest $3.2m in Singapore's AdzCentral
Electric Sheep Capital and Digital Media Partners have invested s$4 million ($3.2 million) of Series A funding in AdzCentral, an advertising technology company based in Singapore.
Singapore's Golden Gate Ventures eyes Series A fund
Singapore-based Golden Gate Ventures is planning to raise a second fund focusing on Series A investments in Southeast Asian tech companies. A source with knowledge of the matter said the fund would launch within 12 months, targeting around $40 million....
JAFCO invests $5.3m in group buying site Luxa
JAFCO has invested JPY500 million ($5.3 million) in Luxa, a Japanese group buying site, as part of a Series B round.
Quadria Capital buys India's Milestone Religare
Quadria Capital, which is currently raising a healthcare fund focused on South Asia and Southeast Asia, has acquired Milestone Religare Investment Advisors. Milestone Capital, joint owner of the asset alongside Religare Enterprises, had been looking for...
VIDEO: Edward Epstein of Troutman Sanders
Private equity investment in China’s real estate sector will become more specialized as it matures, with healthcare and old age care among the key segments to watch, says Edward Epstein, managing partner of Troutman Sanders’ Shanghai office
Vietnam's Mekong Capital in partial exit from Mobile World
Mekong Capital has completed a partial exit from Vietnamese mobile phone retail chain Mobile World, securing an 11x return, including dividend payments. The PE firm initially invested $3.5 million in 2007.
CNEI invests in Chinese drug developer
China New Enterprise Investment (CNEI) has committed $21 million to Shanghai Fudan-Zhangjiang Bio-Pharmaceutical (FDZJ), a Hong Kong-listed developer of drugs and diagnostic products.
High-profile angel investors back Australian start-up Canva
Australian online design start-up Canva has attracted $3 million in seed funding from a group of high-profile angel investors, including Adrian MacKenzie, who left his position as head of CVC Capital Partners’ local operations late last year.
Australian trade buyer fined in Castle Harlan 'bid rigging' case
Australian’s Federal Court ordered engineering firm Bradken to pay $22.4 million in damages over its takeover of a Canadian mining services company Norcast that was previously bought and sold on the same day by US private equity firm Castle Harlan.
Blue Sky backs Australian burrito chain
Australia’s Blue Sky Private Equity has upped its stake in the Beach Burrito Company, a chain of Mexican restaurants, investing more than A$3 million ($3.1 million).