Investments
PE-backed spices firm VKL in talks with Olam
Indian spices processor Vallabhadas Kanji (VKL), of which Argonaut Private Equity and Ascent Capital are minority backers, is close to securing a strategic investment agreement with agricultural commodities giant Olam.
Permira divests 6.5% stake in Galaxy Entertainment for $614m
UK-based Permira has divested approximately 6.5% of its stake in Macau casino and entertainment operator Galaxy Entertainment Group for HK$4.8 billion ($614 million). It sold 270 million shares for HK$17.70 apiece.
Innovation Works closes China internet fund at $180m
Innovation Works, the tech incubator started by Google’s former China head Kai-fu Lee, has closed its debut fund at $180 million. The vehicle, which specifically targets Chinese internet companies, was oversubscribed, the company said.
Tenaya Capital leads SMS GupShup’s $10m Series E round
San Francisco-based venture capital firm Tenaya Capital has led the $10 million Series E round of financing for SMS GupShup, an Indian social networking company. The company plans to use the funds to add new senior management who can help it expand and...
ChrysCapital accumulates 7.2% stake in NCC
ChrysCapital has bought a 7.2% stake in NCC, an Indian construction company backed by Blackstone Group, for INR1.37 billion ($30 million). The purchases – 18.5 million shares in total – were made on the open market by ChrysCapital unit Warhol between...
PE firms sell down Whitehaven Coal stakes
First Reserve Corp., an energy-focused PE investor, and AMCI International have sold A$390 million ($416 million) of shares in Australian miner Whitehaven Coal, prompting a 5% fall in its share price on Wednesday. The partial exits come after Whitehaven...
Private equity's fashion fix
When it comes to capitalizing on rising disposable incomes in key Asian markets, investors are finding the region’s fashion and lifestyle segment in vogue
Bain buys MYOB as markets sink Sage bid
Recent turbulence in the global markets did private equity a favor last week as Bain Capital emerged as the unlikely victor in the auction for Australian accounting software firm MYOB. Bain and KKR had for several weeks been regarded as the frontrunners...
Carlyle backs Indian affordable housing firm
The Carlyle Group's $26 million commitment to Value & Budget Housing Corporation (VBHC) last week is significant in that it marks the affordable housing developer’s graduation to the investment mainstream. The company was founded in 2009 by what Shankar...
Hahn & Company closes first fund
Hahn & Company, the South Korea-focused private equity firm founded by Scott Hahn, formerly Morgan Stanley Private Equity (MSPE) Asia’s (MSPEA) chief investment officer, has recorded a final close on its first fund, reaching the hard cap of $750 million....
Australia pursues Myer profits offshore
No one expects the ATO to get far in its attack on TPG’s Luxembourg and Cayman entities
AXA, LGT buy $901m in secondary assets from German bank
AXA Private Equity and LGT Capital Partners have acquired a EUR620 million ($901 million) private equity portfolio from Germany’s HSH Nordbank. The portfolio is said to include stakes in about 47 private equity funds, including European vehicles managed...
ANZ in talks to buy Cerberus’ Aozora Bank stake – report
Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ) has begun negotiations to buy Cerberus Capital’s 50% stake in Aozora Bank, Reuters reported, citing two sources familiar with the situation. ANZ is said to be attracted by the Japanese lender’s strong...
Bright Foods anticipates more acquisitions in Australia
China’s Bright Foods is looking to continue its buying spree in Australia following the completion of its acquisition of a 75% stake Manassen Foods. It hopes to use the market as springboard to becoming an international food producer of scale.
Nomura appointed to oversee sale of Tokyo Star Bank
Lone Star Funds and its fellow creditors have hired Nomura to sell off Tokyo Star Bank, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter. Lone Star sold the asset to Advantage Partners (AP) less than four years ago but resumed...
Bank of America raises $8.3b in partial exit from CCB
Bank of America (BofA) on Monday sold about half its 10% holding in China Construction Bank (CCB), raising $8.3 billion. The lender, which is in the process of shedding non-core assets and boosting its tier-one capital, sold 13.1 billion shares to group...
VC-backed Chinese children’s clothing retailer signs Disney deal
Greenbox, a venture capital-backed Chinese online retailer specializing in children’s clothes, has agreed to integrate Disney brands into its product lines. The Chinese company will design clothing lines inspired by Disney franchises including Mickey...
United Technologies may edge out PE for FirePro buyout
US-based United Technologies has reportedly emerged as the front runner to buy Bangalore-based fire-protection firm FirePro Systems for $200 million – an asset that is said to also have been courted by global private equity firms.
ETIC becomes largest shareholder in Japanese engineering firm
Enterprise Turnaround Initiative Corp of Japan (ETIC) has underwritten 150 million of common shares issued by ARRK, a listed company engaged in die and mold engineering, worth JPY9 billion ($117 million).
Bendigo-led consortium invests in Akatsuki Financial
A consortium led by Bendigo Partners has made a strategic investment in Akatsuki Financial Group, a Japan based mid-sized financial services firm, specializing in retail brokerage and asset management. Financial details were not announced.
Indian ethnic fashion retailer seeks private equity investment
Wolfensohn Capital Partners is going to sell its 8% stake in ethnic fashion retailer Fabindia. The exit comes as Fabindia looks to raise around INR2 billion from new investors.
ANZ linked to potential acquisitions of Tokyo Star Bank, Aozora Bank
Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ) is reportedly looking to acquire Lone Star-controlled Tokyo Star Bank or Cerberus-owned Aozora Bank.
Bank of America expected to exit over half its CCB stake this week
Bank of America (BofA) is on course to sell more than half its stake in China Construction Bank (CCB) for up to $10 billion this week. A consortium of Asian and Middle East sovereign wealth funds as well as several private equity firms are in negotiations...
China’s Zhongpin seen as potential PE target
Chinese pork processor Zhongpin has been tipped as a potential target for private equity investors. Tim Tiberio, an analyst at Chardan Capital Markets, said that the long-term opportunity for consolidation in China’s food processing industry “is too...