LPs
US CIOs must see Asia if they are to get comfortable with it - AVCJ Forum
Alternatives investment officers from US institutions should involve their senior leadership teams in site visits to Asia if they want to push ahead with emerging markets investment programs, LPs told the AVCJ USA Forum.
GIC advises caution, predicts rising global volatility
GIC Private’s investment performance declined for the third consecutive year, with the sovereign wealth fund once again warning of uncertainty driven by high asset valuations, increased risk of monetary policy tightening, and international trade tensions....
CIC's international portfolio generates record-high return
China Investment Corporation (CIC) posted a record-high return of 17.59% on its international portfolio in 2017 – compared to 6.22% the previous year – as the sovereign wealth fund’s total assets reached $941.4 billion.
Temasek's portfolio reaches $235b in 2018
Temasek Holdings saw its net portfolio value reach S$308 billion ($235 billion) as the Singapore government-controlled investment fund stepped up its investment activity in the 12 months ended March 2018.
IFC plans $273m Southeast Asia distress JV
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the investment arm of the World Bank, has proposed a partnership with Philippines-based Altus Capital to invest up to $272.5 million in distressed assets in Southeast Asia.
Unicorn raises $250m for second China fund-of-funds
China-focused venture capital fund-of-funds Unicorn Capital Partners has closed its second fund at the hard cap of $250 million.
Pantheon opens Tokyo office to service Japanese LPs
Pantheon has opened an office in Tokyo, having won separate account mandates from the likes of Japan’s Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF).
Outsourced CIO: Secret sauce
Teams spinning out from US endowments are competing in an increasingly competitive market for outsourced investment mandates from institutions. Scale and differentiation are the key selling points
Q&A: Eaton Partners' Chris Lerner
Chris Lerner, a partner and head of Asia at placement agent Eaton Partners, discusses why LPs are allocating more capital to private equity in the region and who are the biggest beneficiaries
NZ Super buys 27% stake in domestic food player
New Zealand Superannuation (NZ Super) has invested an undisclosed sum to take a 27% holding in New Zealand Gourmet, a company that farms and markets a range of fresh produce.
Japan VC: Acorns to oaks
Japan Post Investment Corporation seeks to fill the late-stage investment gap in Japan's venture capital market that local VC investors lack the capacity to address
NZ Super names Whineray as new CEO
New Zealand Superannuation (NZ Super) has appointed its CIO Matt Whineray as CEO following a global search process.
Japanese LPs emphasize portfolio diversification - AVCJ Forum
Diversification – by vintage, geography, and strategy – is the priority for Japan’s largest institutional investors as they develop their private equity programs, but they accept that portfolio-building can be challenging.
LP interview: Cbus' Kristian Fok
Recognizing that strong cash inflows were working against a solely outsourced manager strategy in the alternatives space, Australia’s Cbus picked its key asset classes and devised a direct solution
Japanese LPs value site visits with infrastructure managers
Japanese corporate pension funds are looking to increase their allocations to infrastructure, but they value the opportunity to visit managers before committing capital.
Japanese LPs: Stirring giants
Japan’s LP landscape is in a state of flux as several large-scale investors ramp up their alternatives programs. The industry must prepare itself, in terms of personnel, structures, and expectations
Japanese LPs: The long walk
PE firms have been trying to open up the Japanese LP market for years. Now that local institutions are showing a greater appetite for alternatives, it is unclear who will manage their investment programs
Key person clauses: Man overboard
The complexity of a private equity firm’s key person clauses – and the number of people they encompass – says much about its institutionalization. The transition is not always easy, for GPs or LPs
Talent shortages hinder Asian LPs' private equity returns
Asian LPs see a shortage of qualified professionals capable of executing investment programs as the biggest obstacle to improving their private equity returns.
LPs warn of impending downturn in Asia
Institutional investors are preparing for a downturn in Asia – and emphasizing the importance of disciplined deployment – as they see worrying “pro-cycle market behavior” in the private markets space globally.
Korea Post Insurance to allocate $200m to global buyout funds
Korea Post Insurance plans to allocate $200 million to as many as three managers focusing on global buyouts, predominantly in North America and Europe.
Temasek unit targets $500m PE fund-backed bond issue
Retail investors in Singapore will be able to get exposure to the Temasek Holdings private equity portfolio through a $500 million bond issuance backed by 36 funds, including vehicles managed by The Blackstone Group, KKR, Silver Lake Partners, and TPG...
US pension funds: Going direct
California Public Employees’ Retirement System's (CalPERS) decision to launch a private equity direct investment strategy sets it apart from its counterparts, but the plan will need conviction and focus to succeed
San Francisco pension fund backs China's SBCVC - update
San Francisco City & County Employees’ Retirement System has committed $25 million to SBCVC’s sixth China fund, which has a target of $500 million. The GP closed its previous VC vehicle at $459 million in 2016.